The New York Times has long been a powerhouse in the world of word puzzles. From the classic crossword to the challenging Spelling Bee, the publication continues to engage word lovers with brain-teasing games. One of its most intriguing additions is the NYT Connections puzzle , a daily challenge that requires players to group words based on hidden relationships.

If you’re tackling today’s puzzle and need a bit of guidance, this guide will provide useful hints without giving away the entire solution—unless you want that too. Read on for strategic tips, category breakdowns, and today’s answers to help you master the game.

For those unfamiliar, Connections is a daily puzzle that presents 16 words in a 4x4 grid. The goal is to group them into four categories , each containing four words that share a common theme. The trick is that these connections are not always obvious—they can be based on synonyms, pop culture, common phrases, or even subtle wordplay.

Each puzzle has four levels of difficulty , indicated by color:

• Yellow (Easiest)
• Green (Medium)
• Blue (Harder)
• Purple (Most Difficult)

Before jumping to the answers, let’s break today’s puzzle down with some subtle hints. These clues won’t spoil the game but will point you in the right direction.

• Category 1 (Yellow): Think about what you might find in a classic baking recipe.
• Category 2 (Green): These words describe things commonly associated with the color red.
• Category 3 (Blue): Consider words that are difficult to find perfect rhymes for.
• Category 4 (Purple): Each word here can be paired with "candy" to form well-known phrases.

If you're stuck and need to confirm your groups, here are today’s solutions:

Category 1: Classic Baking Ingredients (Yellow)

• Butter
• Eggs
• Flour
• Sugar

Category 2: Things That Are Red (Green)

• Cardinal
• Elmo
• Ketchup
• Rose

Category 3: Words That Have No Exact Rhymes (Blue)

• Month
• Orange
• Purple
• Silver

Category 4: Words That Can Precede "Candy" (Purple)

• Cotton
• Eye
• John
• Rock

Even seasoned puzzle solvers sometimes struggle with Connections. Here are a few expert strategies to help improve your approach:

1. Start with the Obvious Pairs

Scan the list and look for two words that clearly belong together. If you see “dog” and “cat,” they likely belong in a category about pets. Identifying two strong matches makes it easier to find the remaining words in the group.

2. Watch for Tricky Words

Some words are deliberately placed in the puzzle to throw you off. For example, "apple" might make you think of fruit, but it could also belong to a category about technology (Apple Inc.).

3. Think About Multiple Meanings

Many words have dual meanings. A term like “rock” could refer to a stone , music genre , or even stability . Considering these possibilities can help you uncover hidden connections.

4. Use the Process of Elimination

If you're down to a few words and struggling to form a group, look at what’s left. Once three categories are locked in, the final four words must belong together.

5. Pay Attention to Pop Culture References

Some categories might reference movies, TV shows, or famous characters. If words like “Luke” and “Vader” appear, you might be looking at a Star Wars category.

Although the Connections puzzle exhibits similarities to traditional word challenges, it maintains a distinct identity through its unique mechanics. To understand how it compares to other word games, let’s examine how it differs from the NYT Crossword, Spelling Bee, and Wordle.

The NYT Connections puzzle requires players to find four-word groups based on hidden relationships, making it a test of both logic and word association. The difficulty varies daily, making it unpredictable and engaging.

By contrast, the NYT Crossword follows a structured grid format with clues that guide the solver toward specific words. It is often more difficult than Connections due to the need for broad vocabulary knowledge and lateral thinking.

The Spelling Bee puzzle, another popular game, involves forming words from a fixed set of letters. It emphasizes anagram-solving skills and rewards longer words with more points, making it a challenge of vocabulary depth rather than pattern recognition.

Finally, Wordle presents a five-letter guessing challenge, where players must identify the correct word within six attempts. Unlike Connections, which requires thematic thinking, Wordle is based on letter placement and elimination.

While all of these games provide mental stimulation, Connections stands out for its daily variety and its ability to blend logic with wordplay.

Word puzzles have been shown to enhance cognitive function , improve problem-solving skills, and even provide a sense of satisfaction upon completion. The Connections puzzle is especially engaging because:

• It rewards pattern recognition .
• It challenges players to think beyond literal meanings.
• It provides a daily mental workout with a fresh challenge every morning.

The balance between logic, intuition, and a little luck makes it an enjoyable game for casual players and serious puzzle enthusiasts alike.

Today’s Connections puzzle might have tested your patience, but hopefully, these hints and answers helped clear things up. Whether you guessed correctly or needed a little assistance, the joy of wordplay is what keeps people coming back.

Want to sharpen your skills for tomorrow’s puzzle? Keep these strategies in mind, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box —sometimes, the best connections are the ones you least expect.

You can play the NYT Connections puzzle here .