Strands Answers — September 21, 2026

    The theme, spangram, and all answers for this day’s Strands.

    Daily brief

    Strands

    Monday, September 21, 2026

    ready

    Updated

    Today's hints

    Public theme clue: It's back!

    INHIESNELCSCITCYNRESARSURTUITNETSNUENRKGRODACEGN
    Theme-word lengths
    4, 5, 6, 10, 10
    Spangram shape
    Letters
    13
    Words
    1
    Orientation
    undisclosed
    Non-theme words
    1188
    Hint-earning words:
    • Word
      CRUNCHILY
      Score
      19
    • Word
      STRYCHNINE
      Score
      18
    • Word
      CRUNCHIES
      Score
      16
    • Word
      LYNCHETS
      Score
      16
    • Word
      SCRUNCHIE
      Score
      16
    • Word
      ACRYLICS
      Score
      15
    • Word
      CRUNCHIE
      Score
      15
    • Word
      CYCLISES
      Score
      15
    • Word
      LICHENISTS
      Score
      15
    • Word
      LYNCHET
      Score
      15
    • Word
      TRACKSUIT
      Score
      15
    • Word
      ACRYLIC
      Score
      14
    • Word
      CASUISTRY
      Score
      14
    • Word
      CYCASIN
      Score
      14
    • Word
      CYCLISE
      Score
      14
    1. Keep “It's back!” in mind while tracing the grid.
    2. In ascending order, the target lengths are 4 / 5 / 6 / 10 / 10.

    Difficulty: 3

    This band is shown with every input used to compute it.

    • theme-word count
    • word-length spread
    • non-theme inventory

    Strands Puzzle

    Monday, September 21, 2026

    Puzzle Theme

    It's back!

    Total Theme Words: 5

    Puzzle Grid

    I
    N
    H
    I
    E
    S
    N
    E
    L
    C
    S
    C
    I
    T
    C
    Y
    N
    R
    E
    S
    A
    R
    S
    U
    R
    T
    U
    I
    T
    N
    E
    T
    S
    N
    U
    E
    N
    R
    K
    G
    R
    O
    D
    A
    C
    E
    G
    N

    Solver Results

    Theme Words Found:

    • GRUNGE
    • LYCRA
    • NEON
    • SCRUNCHIES
    • TRACKSUITS

    Spangram:NINETIESTREND

    The spangram is the word that touches two opposite sides of the board.

    The Strands spangram for Monday, September 21, 2026 was NINETIESTREND, with the theme “It's back!”.

    Yesterday's full result

    2026-09-20

    Theme
    Putting on airs
    Spangram
    GRANDIOSITY
    Theme Words
    • Word
      BLUSTER
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      noisy confusion and turbulence
    • Word
      BOAST
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      speaking of yourself in superlatives
    • Word
      BRAG
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an instance of boastful talk
    • Word
      FLEX
      Scrabble Score
      14
      Wwf Score
      15
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the act of flexing
    • Word
      GLOAT
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      malicious satisfaction
    • Word
      POSTURE
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the arrangement of the body and its limbs
    • Word
      STRUT
      Scrabble Score
      5
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a proud stiff pompous gait

    Source verification

    Sources
    1
    Agreement
    single
    Confidence
    confirmed
    • 1: verified (0 ms)

    Checked 2026-09-21T07:30:02.257Z

    Recent answers

    • 2026-09-20 — theme: Putting on airs · spangram: GRANDIOSITY · themeWords: BLUSTER, BOAST, BRAG, FLEX, GLOAT, POSTURE, STRUT · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 1081
    • 2026-09-19 — theme: Shiver me timbers! · spangram: TALKLIKEAPIRATE · themeWords: ARRR, AVAST, HEARTIES, MATEY, SAVVY, YOHOHO · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 724
    • 2026-09-18 — theme: Shake on it · spangram: LETSMAKEADEAL · themeWords: AGREEMENT, CONTRACT, COVENANT, PACT, TREATY · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 735
    • 2026-09-17 — theme: A little comic relief · spangram: THEFUNNYPAGES · themeWords: BLONDIE, MUTTS, PEANUTS, PICKLES, ZIPPY, ZITS · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 819
    • 2026-09-16 — theme: Hard not to notice · spangram: EYECATCHING · themeWords: BRIGHT, FLASHY, JAZZY, STRIKING, VIBRANT, VIVID · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 459
    • 2026-09-15 — theme: If you build it · spangram: HARDWARE · themeWords: ANCHOR, BOLT, BRACKET, HINGE, JOIST, KNOB, NAIL, SCREW · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 645
    • 2026-09-14 — theme: OH MY GOSH!! · spangram: THATSSHOCKING · themeWords: EXCLAIM, FREEZE, GASP, RECOIL, SHUDDER, START · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 1179
    • 2026-09-13 — theme: Top secret · spangram: UNDERCOVER · themeWords: AGENT, ASSET, COUNTERSPY, MOLE, OPERATIVE, PLANT · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 1797
    • 2026-09-12 — theme: Don't obsess · spangram: LETITGO · themeWords: DETACH, DISENGAGE, FREE, LIBERATE, RELEASE, UNLOOSE · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 1302
    • 2026-09-11 — theme: Harbor view · spangram: ONTHEWATERFRONT · themeWords: BARGE, BRIDGE, DOCK, LIGHTHOUSE, PIER, SHIP · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 1503
    • 2026-09-10 — theme: Victory lap · spangram: WEHAVEAWINNER · themeWords: CROWN, LAURELS, MEDAL, PENNANT, PRIZE, TROPHY · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 827
    • 2026-09-09 — theme: Over and out(side) · spangram: SUNANDSHADE · themeWords: ARBOR, BOWER, CANOPY, GAZEBO, PAVILION, PERGOLA · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 897
    • 2026-09-08 — theme: It's elementary! · spangram: BACKTOSCHOOL · themeWords: CUBBY, DESK, EASEL, GLOBE, MARKERS, WHITEBOARD · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 1137
    • 2026-09-07 — theme: It's a deal! · spangram: MEETMEHALFWAY · themeWords: AGREE, COMPROMISE, NEGOTIATE, SETTLE, SHARE · orientation: unknown · nonThemeWordCount: 1321

    Archive statistics

    Theme Word Length Distribution
    4
    379
    5
    538
    6
    472
    7
    379
    8
    242
    9
    152
    10
    93
    11
    42
    12
    12
    13
    4
    14
    1
    15
    1
    Spangram Length Distribution
    6
    20
    7
    21
    8
    36
    9
    52
    10
    71
    11
    64
    12
    35
    13
    49
    14
    22
    15
    14
    16
    6
    Orientation Split
    Unknown
    390
    Average Non Theme Word Count
    951.4

    How this brief was computed

    Hint classes: computed

    Generated lines used: 0

    Verification run: 20260921T074501Z

    ← Browse all past Strands answers

    How Strands Works

    Strands is a word search game within a 6x8 grid of letters. Players must find words that fall under a specific theme.

    • The board must be filled entirely to complete the puzzle - no words overlap
    • Each game includes a challenge word called the "spangram" that touches two opposite sides of the board
    • All words must be at least 4 letters long
    • Words can be formed by connecting adjacent letters (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally)

    We use AI to identify the theme words and spangram, making it easier for you to complete the daily puzzle.

    More Strands help

    Strands Tips & StrategyStrands Archive

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the spangram in NYT Strands?

    The spangram is a special word in Strands that spans from one side of the board to the opposite side. It's usually related to the puzzle's theme and is highlighted in yellow when found. Every Strands puzzle has exactly one spangram.

    How do I play NYT Strands?

    Connect adjacent letters (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) to form words related to the daily theme. Find all theme words plus the spangram to complete the puzzle. The entire board must be filled with no overlapping words.

    How many words are in a Strands puzzle?

    Each Strands puzzle typically contains 6-8 theme words plus one spangram. The exact number varies daily but all words must fit together to fill the entire 6x8 grid without overlapping.

    Strands strategy & tips

    Start from the theme, anchor on the spangram

    Every Strands board has a theme (shown as the day’s clue) and one spangram — a special word or phrase that touches two opposite sides of the grid and sums up the theme. Finding the spangram early is the fastest way in, because it confirms what the theme really means and frees up the rest of the board.

    Read the clue literally and figuratively. Strands clues are often puns, so “The ears have it” might point to parts of an ear or to homophones of “hear.” Decide which reading the board supports before you start tracing words. Our Strands tips guide covers spangram-hunting in more detail.

    How letters connect

    Words are formed by connecting adjacent letters — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — and a single letter can bend the path in any direction. Every letter on the board belongs to exactly one theme word or the spangram, with no leftovers and no overlaps, so the grid is effectively a perfect packing puzzle.

    Because there are no spare letters, a letter you can’t fit into any obvious word is a strong signal you’re missing a longer or less obvious theme word.

    Use the hint system on purpose

    Found a valid English word that isn’t a theme word? It’s not wasted — every three non-theme words you find unlocks a hint that highlights where one theme word lives. If you’re stuck, deliberately hunting ordinary words is a legitimate way to earn a hint and break the logjam.

    This makes Strands forgiving: there’s no penalty for guessing, only progress toward hints, so explore freely when the theme isn’t clicking.

    Scan the board efficiently

    • Look for long words first — theme words are often 6+ letters, and long words eat up more of the board, leaving fewer ambiguous letters.
    • Work from the corners and edges inward; edge letters have fewer neighbors, so their possible words are easier to enumerate.
    • Once you place the spangram, the letters it consumes split the remaining board into smaller regions you can solve independently.
    • If two theme words seem to compete for the same letters, the longer interpretation is usually correct (no letter goes unused).

    When you’re truly stuck

    Re-read the theme and brainstorm a list of words that fit it before touching the board — then look for those words’ letters rather than scanning blindly. If a word you’re sure fits the theme won’t trace on the board, it’s the wrong synonym; Strands wants the specific set the setter chose.

    A new Strands publishes daily at midnight Eastern with a fresh theme and spangram — and you can revisit any earlier board in the Strands archive.

    More NYT puzzle help