NYT Connections Hints: A Strategic Guide to Mastering the Viral Word Puzzle

The Rise of NYT Connections

Created by The New York Times’ puzzle editor Wyna Liu, Connections was first released in June 2023. The game’s popularity skyrocketed, quickly becoming the second-most-played game in the NYT’s portfolio, second only to Wordle.

How the Game Works

Players face a grid of sixteen words that must be organized into four distinct groups. The challenge lies in identifying four words with a common thread, and players can only make four mistakes before the game ends.

Understanding the Hint System

The game offers a helpful hint system where players can tap the ‘SEE HINT’ button for a quick clue about category titles without revealing exact groupings. The hints are color-coded using the NYT Connections colors and are arranged from easiest (yellow) to most difficult (purple).

Strategic Approaches

Expert players recommend starting with the most straightforward connections first. Look for obvious relationships like synonyms, homophones, or word forms. Once an easier group is solved, those words are removed from the grid, making the remaining connections clearer.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Success in NYT Connections requires more than just linguistic skills – players need strong general knowledge. The editors often include deliberately misleading words that appear connected but belong to different groups.

Daily Updates and Community

A fresh puzzle is released at midnight each day in your time zone, and players can explore past puzzle answers, access hints, and join a growing community of word enthusiasts to enhance their gaming experience.