Issue #788 Thu 30 Apr
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — April 30, 2026
The air grows heavy and the temperature shifts. Look for the physical transition that occurs when a gas returns to a liquid state.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
A cold glass of water beads with droplets on a warm summer afternoon.
Physical phase changes in science.
PHYSICAL STATE TRANSITION
Spangram 4 hints · 12 letters
The connector word
Single word noun.
12 letters.
Starts with C, ends with N.
CONDENSATION
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (7 letters)
- 2 D (7 letters)
- 3 H (8 letters)
- 4 M (4 letters)
- 5 S (5 letters)
- 6 V (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AE (7 letters)
- 2 DR (7 letters)
- 3 HU (8 letters)
- 4 MI (4 letters)
- 5 ST (5 letters)
- 6 VA (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A fine spray dispensed from a pressurized metal canister.
7 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AE.
AEROSOL
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A very light, persistent rain that barely dampens the ground.
7 letters.
Starts with D.
Starts with DR.
DRIZZLE
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
The amount of water held in the atmosphere, often making the air feel sticky.
8 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HU.
HUMIDITY
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A thin cloud of tiny water droplets suspended near the surface of the earth.
4 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MI.
MIST
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The visible white cloud produced when hot water is heated to a gaseous state.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STEAM
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The gaseous form of a substance that is typically liquid or solid at room temperature.
5 letters.
Starts with V.
Starts with VA.
VAPOR
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
- AEROSOL
- DRIZZLE
- HUMIDITY
- MIST
- STEAM
- VAPOR
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on April 30, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for April 30, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on April 30, 2026?
NYT Strands on April 30, 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 April 30, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 12 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "C" — 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 April 30, 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 · 12-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 12-letter spangram