Today's NYT Strands is live for Friday, February 13, 2026 (Puzzle #712). 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: "See what I mean?"
What It Really Means
Today's theme is about visual tools and aids that help explain or demonstrate concepts.
Think About...
- Graphical representations of data or information
- Visual media used for explanation or demonstration
- Tools that make complex ideas easier to understand visually
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Diagonally to the right, down and diagonally back in the opposite direction
Letter Count: 9 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This is a compound term for tools that help with understanding through sight.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Think about what teachers, presenters, or instructors use to make concepts clearer.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is V, last letter is S
---
---
---
---
---
VISUALAIDS
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A visual representation of data or information
Closer: Combines graphics with information to explain complex topics
Letter Clue: Starts with I, 10 letters total
Answer
INFOGRAPHIC
Word 2
Vague: A captured image
Closer: What you take with a camera
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 5 letters total
Answer
PHOTO
Word 3
Vague: A labeled drawing
Closer: Shows relationships between parts of a system
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 7 letters total
Answer
DIAGRAM
Word 4
Vague: Shows trends or comparisons
Closer: Often used in business presentations or reports
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 5 letters total
Answer
CHART
Word 5
Vague: Moving pictures
Closer: What you watch on YouTube or streaming services
Letter Clue: Starts with V, 5 letters total
Answer
VIDEO
Word 6
Vague: A representation or example
Closer: Can be physical or digital, often used for demonstration
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 5 letters total
Answer
MODEL
Full Answers
Spangram: VISUALAIDS
Theme Words:
- INFOGRAPHIC
- PHOTO
- DIAGRAM
- CHART
- VIDEO
- MODEL
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: INFOGRAPHIC (10 letters makes it harder to spot in the grid)
Our Take: A clean, straightforward theme that's immediately understandable once you see the spangram. The "See what I mean" prompt cleverly hints at visual explanation tools without giving too much away. The diagonal spangram orientation adds a nice twist to the usual horizontal or vertical placement.
