Issue #674 Tue 6 Jan
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — January 6, 2026
A clear, blue-sky morning often brings a particular kind of upward gaze. Today's grid requires a steady hand and a patient eye.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The long, slow arc of a jumper at the peak of their reach, just before gravity claims them back.
Physics and aerial motion
ACTS OF ASCENT AND SUSPENSION
Spangram 4 hints · 14 letters
The connector word
A compound single word formed from two nouns and a participle.
14 letters.
Starts with D, ends with Y.
DEFYINGGRAVITY
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (8 letters)
- 2 B (7 letters)
- 3 B (4 letters)
- 4 D (5 letters)
- 5 K (4 letters)
- 6 R (6 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AI (8 letters)
- 2 BA (7 letters)
- 3 BI (4 letters)
- 4 DR (5 letters)
- 5 KI (4 letters)
- 6 RO (6 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A pressurized cabin hums as you look down at the clouds from six miles up.
8 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AI.
AIRPLANE
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A tethered, rubbery sphere catching the wind during a neighborhood festival.
7 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BA.
BALLOON
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A chorus of chirps greets you from the branches before a sudden, winged departure.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BI.
BIRD
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A quiet, motorized hum overhead that turns the backyard into a camera crew's set.
5 letters.
Starts with D.
Starts with DR.
DRONE
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A diamond-shaped frame dancing at the end of a string on a breezy afternoon.
4 letters.
Starts with K.
Starts with KI.
KITE
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A trail of fire and smoke marking a path toward the upper atmosphere.
6 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RO.
ROCKET
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
- AIRPLANE
- BALLOON
- BIRD
- DRONE
- KITE
- ROCKET
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on January 6, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for January 6, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on January 6, 2026?
NYT Strands on January 6, 2026 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 6 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the January 6, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 14 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "D" — 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 January 6, 2026?
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 6 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 14-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 14-letter spangram