
Today’s NYT Strands puzzle has a pretty straightforward theme. But some of the answers are long and could be difficult to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.
Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Hint for today’s Strands puzzle
Today’s Strands theme is: Hail to the chief petty officer.
If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Anchors aweigh!
Clue words to unlock in-game hints
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:
- RACE, LAIR, REAL, MOCK, MARE, NUDE, RUDE, LANE, TIRE
Answers for today’s Strands puzzle
These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight, but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:
- ENSIGN, ADMIRAL, RECRUIT, COMMANDER, LIEUTENANT
Today’s Strands spangram
Today’s Strands spangram is NAVYRANKS. To find it, start with the N that is three letters to the right on the top row, and wind down.







