Issue #869 Mon 20 Jul
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — July 20, 2026
Today's grid requires a sharp eye and a steady hand. The layout rewards a patient approach as you clear the board.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Look at a spider crawling across the corner of a window frame.
General descriptors of size
DIMINUTIVE ADJECTIVES
Spangram 4 hints · 9 letters
The connector word
Single compound word
9 letters.
Starts with I, ends with Y.
ITSY BITSY
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 L (6 letters)
- 2 M (11 letters)
- 3 M (9 letters)
- 4 M (9 letters)
- 5 T (4 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 LI (6 letters)
- 2 MI (11 letters)
- 3 MI (9 letters)
- 4 MI (9 letters)
- 5 TI (4 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
Something that fits in the palm of your hand.
6 letters.
Starts with L.
Starts with LI.
LITTLE
Theme word 2 of 5 5 hints · 11 letters
A theme word
You need a lens to see what is happening here.
11 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MI.
MICROSCOPIC
Theme word 3 of 5 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
A scale model of a house sitting on a shelf.
9 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MI.
MINIATURE
Theme word 4 of 5 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
The amount of sugar left in the bottom of the bowl.
9 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MI.
MINUSCULE
Theme word 5 of 5 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A grain of sand caught in a shoe.
4 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TI.
TINY
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
- LITTLE
- MICROSCOPIC
- MINIATURE
- MINUSCULE
- TINY
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on July 20, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for July 20, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on July 20, 2026?
NYT Strands on July 20, 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 July 20, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 9 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "I" — 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 20, 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 · 9-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 9-letter spangram