Issue #964 Fri 30 Jan
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — January 30, 2026
A tidy, four-group grid that demands a methodical approach. The associations here are straightforward, provided you don't overthink the overlaps.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
Mapping out the property lines before the fence goes up.
Spatial designations
Synonyms for specific segments of space
Members are 4–7 letters; first letters A, C, P.
REGION
One is AREA.
AREA · CLUSTER · PATCH · POCKET
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The morning ritual of smoothing out edges before heading out the door.
Personal care
Items used for grooming
Members are 4–9 letters; first letters C, N, T.
GROOMING ITEMS
One is COMB.
COMB · COMPACT · NAIL FILE · TWEEZERS
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
Fixing a tear in the gift wrap or securing a loose cable behind the desk.
Stationery and household maintenance
Items featuring tacky surfaces
Members are 4–11 letters; first letters B, L, S, T.
THINGS WITH ADHESIVE SURFACES
One is BAND-AID.
BAND-AID · LINT ROLLER · STICKER · TAPE
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
Waiting for the right moment to make your move during a game.
Compound phrases
Words that precede a common noun
Members are 5–7 letters; first letters H, M, P, U.
___ HAND
One is HELPING.
HELPING · MINUTE · POKER · UPPER
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
-
Reveal the yellow group
REGIONAREA · CLUSTER · PATCH · POCKET
-
Reveal the green group
GROOMING ITEMSCOMB · COMPACT · NAIL FILE · TWEEZERS
-
Reveal the blue group
THINGS WITH ADHESIVE SURFACESBAND-AID · LINT ROLLER · STICKER · TAPE
-
Reveal the violet group
___ HANDHELPING · MINUTE · POKER · UPPER
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on January 30, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for January 30, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on January 30, 2026?
NYT Connections on January 30, 2026 rates 3 out of 4 on our difficulty scale — a tougher-than-average puzzle. As always you sort sixteen words into four colour-coded groups, and our hints tease what links each group without ever naming the words.
What's a spoiler-free hint for NYT Connections on January 30, 2026?
The hint ladder above starts with a one-line vibe for each of the four groups, then adds the connecting idea, then the wording of each category. You climb only as far as you need, and no grouped words are shown until the final reveal.
How many groups are in NYT Connections #964?
Four groups of four, ordered from the gentlest to the trickiest. For the categories and the sixteen words themselves, open the answer section on this page — the hints here keep them hidden.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words