Today's NYT Strands is live for Tuesday, September 15, 2026 (Puzzle #926). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "If you build it"
What It Really Means
You are hunting for construction components, including structural supports, fittings, and small fasteners.
Think About...
- Pieces that hold materials together.
- Supports hidden inside a finished structure.
- Small fittings that let doors and fixtures work.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 8 letters
Starting Zone: Row 5, letter 1
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of an umbrella term for the physical pieces used in building and repair work.
Hint 2 (Warmer): It is the collective shop term for fasteners, fittings, and other tangible building pieces.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is H, last letter is E
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HARDWARE
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: This keeps something firmly fixed in place.
Closer: In construction, this secures an object to a wall, floor, or other base.
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 6 letters total
Answer
ANCHOR
Word 2
Vague: This sturdy fastener locks materials together.
Closer: Its threaded shank commonly passes through materials and pairs with a nut.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 4 letters total
Answer
BOLT
Word 3
Vague: This piece supports or connects parts at a meeting point.
Closer: This rigid support is commonly fitted beneath a shelf or across a corner.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 7 letters total
Answer
BRACKET
Word 4
Vague: This fitting allows one part to swing relative to another.
Closer: It joins a door or lid to its frame while allowing it to pivot.
Letter Clue: Starts with H, 5 letters total
Answer
HINGE
Word 5
Vague: This structural member carries weight across an open span.
Closer: This beamlike member commonly runs beneath floorboards or above a ceiling.
Letter Clue: Starts with J, 5 letters total
Answer
JOIST
Word 6
Vague: This small rounded piece can serve as a grip or control.
Closer: Turn this rounded grip to open a door, or adjust it on a cabinet or appliance.
Letter Clue: Starts with K, 4 letters total
Answer
KNOB
Word 7
Vague: This slender fastener is driven directly into material.
Closer: A hammer drives this pointed metal fastener through wood.
Letter Clue: Starts with N, 4 letters total
Answer
NAIL
Word 8
Vague: This fastener advances by turning along spiral threads.
Closer: A driver turns this spiral-threaded fastener into material.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SCREW
Full Answers
Spangram: HARDWARE
Theme Words:
- ANCHOR
- BOLT
- BRACKET
- HINGE
- JOIST
- KNOB
- NAIL
- SCREW
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium, with a broad construction theme but several words that also have familiar nonbuilding meanings.
Trickiest Word: ANCHOR is the likeliest stumbling block because its nautical meaning comes to mind before its construction use as a securing device.
Our Take: HARDWARE neatly gathers a varied list that ranges from structural JOIST and BRACKET to compact fasteners such as NAIL, BOLT, and SCREW. ANCHOR, HINGE, and KNOB broaden the set with pieces defined by how they secure, pivot, or operate, giving the theme satisfying range without losing focus.
