Issue #928 Thu 17 Sep
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — September 17, 2026
A lighthearted morning awaits with this grid. Expect a brisk pace as you navigate the layout.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Newsprint smudging your fingertips while you unfold the Sunday broadsheet over coffee.
Newspaper illustration and storytelling
SYNDICATED ILLUSTRATED NARRATIVE SECTIONS
Spangram 4 hints · 13 letters
The connector word
A three-word noun phrase
13 letters.
Starts with T, ends with S.
THE FUNNY PAGES
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (7 letters)
- 2 M (5 letters)
- 3 P (7 letters)
- 4 P (7 letters)
- 5 Z (5 letters)
- 6 Z (4 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BL (7 letters)
- 2 MU (5 letters)
- 3 PE (7 letters)
- 4 PI (7 letters)
- 5 ZI (5 letters)
- 6 ZI (4 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A long-running tale of a sandwich-loving husband and his patient wife.
7 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BL.
BLONDIE
Theme word 2 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Small, wordless observations on the lives of pets and their people.
5 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MU.
MUTTS
Theme word 3 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
A neighborhood group of children finding wisdom in their backyard.
7 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PE.
PEANUTS
Theme word 4 of 6 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Life with a grumpy grandfather and his growing family.
7 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PI.
PICKLES
Theme word 5 of 6 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The surreal, chaotic observations of a pinhead-shaped protagonist.
5 letters.
Starts with Z.
Starts with ZI.
ZIPPY
Theme word 6 of 6 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A candid look at the daily indignities of teenage life.
4 letters.
Starts with Z.
Starts with ZI.
ZITS
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
- BLONDIE
- MUTTS
- PEANUTS
- PICKLES
- ZIPPY
- ZITS
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on September 17, 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 17, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on September 17, 2026?
NYT Strands on September 17, 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 17, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 13 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "T" — 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 17, 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