Strands is a wordle like game, the latest innovation from the New York Times Games team, reimagines classic word search puzzles, captivating both word game enthusiasts and casual solvers. Currently in beta testing and available for free online, Strands invites players to explore a 6-by-8 grid of letters, aiming to uncover themed words interconnected by a common element revealed through a spangram.

What sets this game apart is its multi-directional connections—vertically, horizontally, and diagonally—encouraging strategic thinking. Players can earn hints by identifying words outside the theme, enhancing their gameplay experience. Designed for a wide range of skill levels, from Wordle fans to crossword experts, Strands is celebrated for its depth, offering a longer and more immersive experience.

Rooted in the rich tradition of newspaper word searches, Strands is more than just a game; it's an engaging puzzle that evolves, promising to challenge and delight players with its clever wordplay and dynamic themes.

1. Getting Started

Open Strands to see a 6x8 grid filled with letters. Your goal is to find words related by a common theme, plus a special word, the spangram, which embodies the theme and must touch two opposite sides of the board.

2. Finding Words

You can form words by connecting letters vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Feel free to change directions mid-word. Remember, each letter on the board is part of a word, and no letter is used more than once for any single word.

3. Understanding the Theme

Each puzzle revolves around a specific theme, hinted at by “Today's Theme” displayed on the board. This theme links all the words you need to find, including the spangram.

4. The Spangram

The spangram is a key word that summarizes the theme and must stretch between two opposite edges of the grid. Identifying the spangram is crucial for understanding the puzzle's theme and aids in finding other words.

5. Earning and Using Hints

If you identify three words that don't fit the theme, you'll unlock the Hint button. This will highlight one of the theme words on the grid, helping you progress. The highlighted word remains indicated until you correctly identify it, but you won't receive additional hints until it's found.

6. Completing the Puzzle

Continue to find all theme words and the spangram. There's no penalty for incorrect guesses—instead, they contribute to earning hints. The puzzle is solved when all theme words and the spangram are correctly identified.

7. No Word Bank

Unlike traditional word searches, there's no list of words to find. The challenge lies in discovering the words based on the theme and your ability to connect the letters in the grid.