Here’s how to solve today’s NYT Strands puzzle with every hint, nudge, and outright answer you need.
Published on April 8, 2026, Strands is an elevated word-search game by the New York Times. It offers a twist on the classic word search where words can form from linked letters in various directions and can change direction as well, creating quirky shapes and patterns. Every letter in the grid is used in the answers, all linked by a theme, along with the “spangram,” a special word or phrase that represents the day’s theme and stretches across the grid horizontally or vertically.
If you find yourself stuck, today’s hints are designed to assist without providing the word list, making Strands a bit more challenging than games like Wordle and Connections. If you’re short on time for today’s puzzle, these hints will help you move at a pace you prefer.
NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In the paint
The words are related to art.
Today’s theme explained:
Words describing art forms.
NYT Strands spangram hint: It’s horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram for today:
The spangram is Medium.
NYT Strands word list for April 9:
– Fresco
– Enamel
– Pastel
– Medium
– Watercolor
– Acrylic
– Tempera
To stay updated on more gaming content, check out Mashable’s Games page. Not looking for today’s puzzle? Find the previous day’s solutions or explore other daily online games.