What is NYT Connections?
Connections gives you sixteen words and asks a simple question: which four belong together? There are four groups, each with a hidden link, and the puzzle is built to mislead. A word that looks like it belongs to one group often fits another just as well, so the trick is noticing the red herrings before you commit. The groups also get harder, from a fairly obvious set to one that needs lateral thinking, like words that hide another word or share an unexpected sound. You can make four mistakes before the game ends. Launched by The New York Times in 2023, it quickly became one of its most played games, partly because finishing the purple group feels like a small victory. It suits anyone who likes wordplay, trivia and spotting patterns, and it is often more fun solved together.
How to play
- Pick four words you think share a connection and submit them.
- A correct group is revealed with its theme. A wrong guess costs one of your four mistakes.
- Watch for words that could fit more than one group.
Quick facts
- Typical time
- 3–8 min
- Difficulty
- Medium · some days the purple group is brutal
- Price
- Today's puzzle is free. The archive of past puzzles needs a subscription.
- Account
- Not needed. A free New York Times account keeps your stats and streak across devices.
- Past puzzles
- For subscribers.
- On a phone
- In the browser, or in the NYT Games app for iPhone and Android.
- Colours
- Groups are ranked from yellow (easiest) through green and blue to purple (trickiest).
Tips to get better
- Don't submit your first idea. If you can see five or six words that fit one theme, that's the trap. Work out which of them is needed somewhere else before you press submit.
- Find the misfits. Look for the word that seems to belong nowhere. It's usually part of the trickiest group, and working out its link can unlock the whole board.
- Shuffle. The starting layout puts misleading words next to each other on purpose. Shuffling breaks up the false pairs.
- Look at the words themselves. Purple groups are often about the word, not its meaning: a smaller word hidden inside it, a word that can go before or after it, or the way it sounds. Say them out loud.
- Treat 'one away' as a clue. If the game says you're one away, don't swap words at random. Ask which other group could want one of your four.
- Slow down at eight. With two groups left it's tempting to guess. Name the link for both groups first, and the split becomes certain.
Who it's for
Connections is for people who love the 'aha' moment. It's quick, and it's the best daily game to solve out loud with someone else. It can also be maddening: the links lean on American culture and slang, and some days a group feels unfair. If you hate being tricked, this isn't your game. If you enjoy it, few puzzles are as satisfying.
