Issue #877 Tue 28 Jul
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — July 28, 2026 Today
A steady, methodical start gives way to a dense, interlocking center. This one demands a patient hand to untangle.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You empty the contents of the junk drawer onto the kitchen table to find the one missing screw.
Inventory and collection
COMPREHENSIVE PRESENCE
Spangram 4 hints · 11 letters
The connector word
Three-word phrase
11 letters.
Starts with I, ends with E.
IT'S ALL THERE
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (8 letters)
- 2 E (6 letters)
- 3 F (4 letters)
- 4 T (5 letters)
- 5 U (9 letters)
- 6 W (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CO (8 letters)
- 2 EN (6 letters)
- 3 FU (4 letters)
- 4 TO (5 letters)
- 5 UN (9 letters)
- 6 WH (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
The puzzle has reached its final form with every piece accounted for.
8 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CO.
COMPLETE
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
The duration of the concert from the first note to the final bow.
6 letters.
Starts with E.
Starts with EN.
ENTIRE
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The glass is brimmed to the edge of the rim.
4 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FU.
FULL
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Add up the receipts until the sum matches the ledger.
5 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TO.
TOTAL
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
A focus that never wavers from the task at hand.
9 letters.
Starts with U.
Starts with UN.
UNDIVIDED
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Every slice of the apple is back on the plate.
5 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WH.
WHOLE
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
- COMPLETE
- ENTIRE
- FULL
- TOTAL
- UNDIVIDED
- WHOLE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for today's Strands. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for July 28, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is today's NYT Strands?
Today's NYT Strands (July 28, 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 today's Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 11 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 today's NYT Strands?
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? Head to the answers page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 11-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 11-letter spangram