Today's NYT Strands is live for Friday, January 30, 2026 (Puzzle #698). 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: "We're not lost ..."
What It Really Means
Today's theme is all about navigation tools and methods - the things you use to find your way when you're not sure where you're going.
Think About...
- Traditional and modern navigation instruments
- Celestial bodies and landmarks used for orientation
- Maps, guides, and directional aids
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Diagonally to the left to reach the first letter of the fifth row then diagonally to the right then across and down
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: Fifth letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This is what you're trying to do when you're not lost - the overall goal of navigation.
Hint 2 (Warmer): A three-word phrase that's often used as encouragement when someone is disoriented or needs direction.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is F, last letter is Y
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FINDYOURWAY
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A guiding light or signal
Closer: Often used in maritime navigation to warn of danger or mark safe passage
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 6 letters total
Answer
BEACON
Word 2
Vague: Celestial navigation reference
Closer: Navigators have used these for centuries to determine direction at night
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
STAR
Word 3
Vague: Collection of maps
Closer: Named after the Greek Titan who held up the celestial spheres
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 5 letters total
Answer
ATLAS
Word 4
Vague: Direction-finding tool
Closer: Uses Earth's magnetic field to point north
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 7 letters total
Answer
COMPASS
Word 5
Vague: Recognizable feature used for navigation
Closer: A distinctive natural or man-made object that helps orient travelers
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 8 letters total
Answer
LANDMARK
Word 6
Vague: Nautical navigation instrument
Closer: Measures the angle between a celestial object and the horizon
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 7 letters total
Answer
SEXTANT
Full Answers
Spangram: FINDYOURWAY
Theme Words:
- BEACON
- STAR
- ATLAS
- COMPASS
- LANDMARK
- SEXTANT
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: SEXTANT (Less common in everyday vocabulary compared to other navigation terms)
Our Take: A solid navigation-themed puzzle that blends traditional and modern wayfinding concepts. The spangram "FINDYOURWAY" cleverly ties everything together, while the mix of celestial (STAR, SEXTANT) and terrestrial (LANDMARK, COMPASS) navigation methods provides good variety. The puzzle requires some nautical knowledge but remains accessible to most solvers.
