Issue #924 Sun 13 Sep
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — September 13, 2026
A steady, methodical progression marks today's grid. The layout rewards a patient hand as you navigate its turns.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
A man in a trench coat leans against a lamppost, reading a newspaper with holes cut out for his eyes.
Espionage and clandestine activities
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
Spangram 4 hints · 10 letters
The connector word
Single compound word
10 letters.
Starts with U, ends with R.
UNDER COVER
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (5 letters)
- 2 A (5 letters)
- 3 C (10 letters)
- 4 M (4 letters)
- 5 O (9 letters)
- 6 P (5 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AG (5 letters)
- 2 AS (5 letters)
- 3 CO (10 letters)
- 4 MO (4 letters)
- 5 OP (9 letters)
- 6 PL (5 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A professional who works in the shadows to influence foreign policy.
5 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AG.
AGENT
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A valuable resource providing intelligence from within an organization.
5 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AS.
ASSET
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 10 letters
A theme word
Someone hired specifically to identify and neutralize foreign infiltrators.
10 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CO.
COUNTERSPY
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
An individual who spends years burrowing deep into an enemy structure.
4 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MO.
MOLE
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
A person actively engaged in field missions on behalf of their handlers.
9 letters.
Starts with O.
Starts with OP.
OPERATIVE
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A person surreptitiously placed in a group to gather information.
5 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PL.
PLANT
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
- AGENT
- ASSET
- COUNTERSPY
- MOLE
- OPERATIVE
- PLANT
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on September 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 September 13, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on September 13, 2026?
NYT Strands on September 13, 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 September 13, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 10 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "U" — 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 September 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 6 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 10-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 6 theme words · 10-letter spangram