Issue #740 Fri 13 Mar
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — March 13, 2026
A steady rhythm drives today's board. Find your footing as you navigate the grid.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Dust motes dancing in a sunbeam over a wooden porch, punctuated by a sharp, rhythmic pluck.
Traditional Appalachian folk styles
APPALACHIAN SONIC TRADITIONS
Spangram 4 hints · 14 letters
The connector word
Two-word compound noun
14 letters.
Starts with B, ends with C.
BLUEGRASS MUSIC
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (5 letters)
- 2 F (6 letters)
- 3 G (6 letters)
- 4 H (9 letters)
- 5 M (8 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BA (5 letters)
- 2 FI (6 letters)
- 3 GU (6 letters)
- 4 HA (9 letters)
- 5 MA (8 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A round-backed pluckable instrument with a bright, percussive tone.
5 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BA.
BANJO
Theme word 2 of 5 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A wooden box you hold under your chin, played with a horsehair bow.
6 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FI.
FIDDLE
Theme word 3 of 5 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Six strings stretched across a fretted neck, held against the chest.
6 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GU.
GUITAR
Theme word 4 of 5 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
A small, pocket-sized metal device that produces sound when you inhale and exhale through it.
9 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HA.
HARMONICA
Theme word 5 of 5 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A small, teardrop-shaped instrument featuring eight strings in four pairs.
8 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MA.
MANDOLIN
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
- BANJO
- FIDDLE
- GUITAR
- HARMONICA
- MANDOLIN
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on March 13, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for March 13, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on March 13, 2026?
NYT Strands on March 13, 2026 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 5 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the March 13, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 14 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "B" — 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 March 13, 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 5 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 14-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 14-letter spangram