Today's NYT Strands is live for Monday, May 18, 2026 (Puzzle #806). 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: "The daily rind"
What It Really Means
Every word in today's puzzle belongs to the citrus family. If it has a peel, pith, and a tangy-sweet interior, it's fair game. Think breakfast tables, fruit bowls, and produce sections.
Think About...
- Types of citrus fruit you'd find at a grocery store
- Fruits you can zest, juice, or segment
- Both common varieties and more exotic picks
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Diagonal
Letter Count: 6 letters
Starting Zone: Begins at the first letter of the third row, moving diagonally toward the lower right
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This is the overarching category that ties every fruit on today's board together.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Think of the zesty, acidic flavor group that includes everything from tiny tart varieties to massive sweet ones.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is C, last letter is S
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CITRUS
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A small, bright orange fruit that's easy to peel.
Closer: Named after a Christmas carol, this seedless citrus is a kid favorite.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 10 letters total
Answer
CLEMENTINE
Word 2
Vague: A small green fruit known for its sour punch.
Closer: The go-to garnish for water, cocktails, and Thai cuisine.
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 4 letters total
Answer
LIME
Word 3
Vague: A tiny oblong fruit you eat whole, skin and all.
Closer: This sour-sweet miniature citrus is often candied or sliced into marmalade.
Letter Clue: Starts with K, 7 letters total
Answer
KUMQUAT
Word 4
Vague: The most recognizable round orange fruit in the produce aisle.
Closer: Named after its color, this fruit is the classic source of vitamin C.
Letter Clue: Starts with O, 6 letters total
Answer
ORANGE
Word 5
Vague: A large pale citrus with thick, spongy rind.
Closer: Think grapefruit's milder, bigger cousin often used in Asian desserts.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 6 letters total
Answer
POMELO
Word 6
Vague: A slightly flattened orange fruit with a pebbly skin.
Closer: Sweeter and less acidic than an orange, this fruit shares its name with a Moroccan city.
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 9 letters total
Answer
TANGERINE
Full Answers
Spangram: CITRUS
Theme Words:
- CLEMENTINE
- LIME
- KUMQUAT
- ORANGE
- POMELO
- TANGERINE
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: KUMQUAT (Less common than the other citrus fruits, and the unusual spelling with a "K" and "Q" can throw off solvers who aren't familiar with the whole-eat miniature fruit)
Our Take: A solid Monday puzzle that doesn't overcomplicate things. "The daily rind" is a clever nod to both citrus peels and the routine of solving Strands each day. The six theme words cover the citrus spectrum from everyday oranges to the more niche kumquat and pomelo, making it accessible for casual players while still offering a tiny challenge for the well-versed.
