On the lookout for the most up-to-date Strands reply? Click here for our daily Strands hints, in addition to our each day solutions and hints for The New York Instances Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports activities Version puzzles.
In the present day’s NYT Strands puzzle is type of weird. Even after I had discovered a number of the solutions, the theme did not click on in my mind till I used to be virtually performed with the puzzle. And a number of the solutions are troublesome to unscramble, so in case you want hints and solutions, learn on.
I am going into depth concerning the rules for Strands in this story.
In the event you’re on the lookout for at the moment’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword solutions, you may go to CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Learn extra: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Trace for at the moment’s Strands puzzle
In the present day’s Strands theme is: It follows.
If that does not aid you, here is a clue: Not demise…
Clue phrases to unlock in-game hints
Your purpose is to seek out hidden phrases that match the puzzle’s theme. In the event you’re caught, discover any phrases you may. Each time you discover three phrases of 4 letters or extra, Strands will reveal one of many theme phrases. These are the phrases I used to get these hints however any phrases of 4 or extra letters that you simply discover will work:
- LEFT, COLE, HOLE, LACK, BILE, LEACH, SOLE, LOSE, LIFE, SEER, STEEL, STERN, FAIL
Solutions for at the moment’s Strands puzzle
These are the solutions that tie into the theme. The purpose of the puzzle is to seek out all of them, together with the spangram, a theme phrase that reaches from one facet of the puzzle to the opposite. When you may have all of them (I initially thought there have been all the time eight however realized that the quantity can fluctuate), each letter on the board can be used. Listed below are the nonspangram solutions:
- COACH, HACK, BLOOD, CYCLE, STYLE, LESSON, PRESERVER. (All phrases that may comply with the phrase “LIFE.”)
In the present day’s Strands spangram
The finished NYT Strands puzzle for March 18, 2026.
In the present day’s Strands spangram is AFTERLIFE. To search out it, begin with the A that’s the furthest-left letter on the highest row, and wind down.
Hardest Strands puzzles
Listed below are a number of the Strands matters I’ve discovered to be the hardest.
#1: Dated slang. Perhaps you did not even use this lingo when it was cool. Hardest phrase: PHAT.
#2: Thar she blows! I suppose marine biologists may ace this one. Hardest phrase: BALEEN or RIGHT.
#3: Off the hook. Once more, it helps to know so much about sea creatures. Sorry, Charlie. Hardest phrase: BIGEYE or SKIPJACK.

