Issue #902 Sat 22 Aug
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — August 22, 2026
Today's grid requires a bit of elevation. Expect a steady climb as you navigate the terrain of this week's puzzle.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The horizon line jagged against the blue, stretching further than the eye can follow.
Geographic landforms and natural formations
ELEVATED TOPOGRAPHICAL SEQUENCES
Spangram 4 hints · 13 letters
The connector word
Compound noun
13 letters.
Starts with M, ends with E.
MOUNTAIN RANGE
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (7 letters)
- 2 G (5 letters)
- 3 R (5 letters)
- 4 S (8 letters)
- 5 S (5 letters)
- 6 W (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CA (7 letters)
- 2 GR (5 letters)
- 3 RO (5 letters)
- 4 SA (8 letters)
- 5 SM (5 letters)
- 6 WH (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Water spilling over a sharp ledge in a continuous, rhythmic tumble.
7 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CA.
CASCADE
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The vibrant color of a mossy forest floor after a heavy spring rain.
5 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GR.
GREEN
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A landscape composed entirely of jagged, unyielding stone.
5 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RO.
ROCKY
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
An irregular silhouette that mirrors the teeth of a carpenter's blade.
8 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SA.
SAWTOOTH
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A dense, low-hanging haze that obscures the valleys in the early morning.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SM.
SMOKY
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The brilliant shade of fresh snow sitting atop a high altitude summit.
5 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WH.
WHITE
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
- CASCADE
- GREEN
- ROCKY
- SAWTOOTH
- SMOKY
- WHITE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on August 22, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for August 22, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on August 22, 2026?
NYT Strands on August 22, 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 August 22, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 13 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "M" — 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 August 22, 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 · 13-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 13-letter spangram