Issue #500 Wed 16 Jul
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — July 16, 2025
A tidy grid for a mid-week stretch. The patterns today are straightforward, though they require a bit of attention to the corners.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The glass surface smudged with fingerprints after a long afternoon of scrolling.
Mobile computing and digital peripherals.
PORTABLE HANDHELD DEVICES
Spangram 4 hints · 6 letters
The connector word
A single six-letter noun.
6 letters.
Starts with T, ends with T.
TABLET
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (4 letters)
- 2 C (7 letters)
- 3 F (5 letters)
- 4 K (8 letters)
- 5 S (7 letters)
- 6 S (5 letters)
- 7 S (6 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CA (4 letters)
- 2 CH (7 letters)
- 3 FO (5 letters)
- 4 KE (8 letters)
- 5 SP (7 letters)
- 6 ST (5 letters)
- 7 ST (6 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A protective shell that keeps your device safe from accidental drops.
4 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CA.
CASE
Theme word 2 of 7 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
The vital cord that prevents your battery from hitting zero.
7 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CH.
CHARGER
Theme word 3 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A slim, folding cover that props up your screen for reading.
5 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FO.
FOLIO
Theme word 4 of 7 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
Mechanical input device used for typing long documents on the go.
8 letters.
Starts with K.
Starts with KE.
KEYBOARD
Theme word 5 of 7 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Small device that blasts music across the room.
7 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SP.
SPEAKER
Theme word 6 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
An angled support that keeps your device upright on the desk.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STAND
Theme word 7 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A thin pointed tool used for digital drawing and precise navigation.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STYLUS
Spoiler zone
Complete Strands answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
Reveal the spangram
Reveal all theme words
- CASE
- CHARGER
- FOLIO
- KEYBOARD
- SPEAKER
- STAND
- STYLUS
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on July 16, 2025. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for July 16, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on July 16, 2025?
NYT Strands on July 16, 2025 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 7 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the July 16, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 6 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "T" — the hints above ease you toward the rest one step at a time, without spelling it out.
What is the theme of NYT Strands on July 16, 2025?
We keep the theme under wraps here so nothing is spoiled — but the ladder above walks you into it, starting with the puzzle's overall vibe. Want it stated outright, with the spangram and all 7 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 6-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 6-letter spangram