Issue #936 Fri 25 Sep
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — September 25, 2026
Today's grid requires a sharp eye for patterns and a steady hand. Expect a methodical session as you navigate the intersections.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
The floor tiles in the lobby are perfectly uniform, each one identical to its neighbor in every dimension.
Elementary arithmetic and geometry
PRODUCT OF AN INTEGER MULTIPLIED BY ITSELF
Spangram 4 hints · 12 letters
The connector word
A two-word noun
12 letters.
Starts with S, ends with R.
SQUARE NUMBER
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 E (9 letters)
- 2 F (4 letters)
- 3 N (4 letters)
- 4 T (9 letters)
- 5 T (10 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 EI (9 letters)
- 2 FO (4 letters)
- 3 NI (4 letters)
- 4 TH (9 letters)
- 5 TW (10 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
What you get when you multiply the number of lives a cat has by itself.
9 letters.
Starts with E.
Starts with EI.
EIGHTYONE
Theme word 2 of 5 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The total number of legs on a standard dining chair.
4 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FO.
FOUR
Theme word 3 of 5 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The number of muses in Greek mythology.
4 letters.
Starts with N.
Starts with NI.
NINE
Theme word 4 of 5 5 hints · 9 letters
A theme word
The total number of keys on a standard accordion.
9 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TH.
THIRTYSIX
Theme word 5 of 5 5 hints · 10 letters
A theme word
A quarter of a hundred.
10 letters.
Starts with T.
Starts with TW.
TWENTYFIVE
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
- EIGHTYONE
- FOUR
- NINE
- THIRTYSIX
- TWENTYFIVE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on September 25, 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 25, 2026, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on September 25, 2026?
NYT Strands on September 25, 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 September 25, 2026 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 12 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "S" — 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 25, 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 · 12-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 12-letter spangram