Today's NYT Strands is live for Monday, April 13, 2026 (Puzzle #771). 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: "While not in use"
What It Really Means
You're looking for items that get stored away when not actively being used, typically outdoor equipment, tools, or seasonal items that have dedicated storage spaces.
Think About...
- Items you'd store in a garage, shed, or basement
- Outdoor equipment and tools
- Seasonal items that get put away
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Across, down and across
Letter Count: 11 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think about where you'd keep all the items from today's theme.
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's a two-word compound noun describing a specific type of outdoor storage structure.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is S, last letter is D
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STORAGESHED
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Garden and construction helper
Closer: Single-wheeled cart for moving heavy materials
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 11 letters total
Answer
WHEELBARROW
Word 2
Vague: Flexible tube for liquids
Closer: Watering or firefighting equipment
Letter Clue: Starts with H, 4 letters total
Answer
HOSE
Word 3
Vague: Equipment for fixing or building
Closer: Hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 5 letters total
Answer
TOOLS
Word 4
Vague: Lawn maintenance machine
Closer: Cuts grass in yards
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 5 letters total
Answer
MOWER
Word 5
Vague: Outdoor cooking appliance
Closer: Barbecue equipment
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 5 letters total
Answer
GRILL
Word 6
Vague: Two-wheeled human-powered vehicle
Closer: Pedal-powered transportation
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 7 letters total
Answer
BICYCLE
Full Answers
Spangram: STORAGESHED
Theme Words:
- WHEELBARROW
- HOSE
- TOOLS
- MOWER
- GRILL
- BICYCLE
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: WHEELBARROW (11 letters makes it a long find, plus it's a compound word that could be split)
Our Take: A straightforward garage/shed theme with familiar items. The spangram STORAGESHED cleverly ties everything together. WHEELBARROW was the longest find, but all words were common outdoor equipment. Solid Monday puzzle with clear theme execution.
