Today's NYT Strands is live for Saturday, April 25, 2026 (Puzzle #783). 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: "On the shopping block"
What It Really Means
Every theme word in this grid points to a type of retail store or shopping establishment you'd find in a typical commercial district. Think less "online cart" and more "brick-and-mortar retail."
Think About...
- Different categories of neighborhood shops and stores
- Types of retailers that occupy physical commercial spaces
- Descriptive terms for storefronts and shopping venues
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Down, across and up
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: Begins near the first letter of the sixth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This word describes the entire facade of a retail business, from the sign to the display window.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Think of what a row of shops on Main Street collectively presents to the sidewalk.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is S, last letter is T
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STOREFRONT
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A place where two streets meet, but also a type of local shop.
Closer: Think of a small neighborhood grocery or convenience spot often found at an intersection.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 6 letters total
Answer
CORNER
Word 2
Vague: A store where the main product comes in bottles and requires a valid ID.
Closer: A shop selling spirits, wine, and beer, often with a distinctive storefront sign.
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 6 letters total
Answer
LIQUOR
Word 3
Vague: The place you go for weekly food shopping, from produce to canned goods.
Closer: A supermarket or food market, often with aisles and checkout lanes.
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 7 letters total
Answer
GROCERY
Word 4
Vague: A store where everything feels like a deal and prices are slashed.
Closer: A retailer known for low prices, bargains, and markdowns on merchandise.
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 8 letters total
Answer
DISCOUNT
Word 5
Vague: The small all-in-one store that sells everything from snacks to toiletries, often open late.
Closer: A compact retail spot where you grab milk, chips, and household basics quickly.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 11 letters total
Answer
CONVENIENCE
Full Answers
Spangram: STOREFRONT
Theme Words:
- CORNER
- LIQUOR
- GROCERY
- DISCOUNT
- CONVENIENCE
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: CONVENIENCE (11 letters makes it the longest theme word, and it can be easy to overlook in the grid when you're scanning for shorter store names)
Our Take: Saturday's puzzle keeps things grounded with a straightforward retail theme that doesn't overcomplicate. The spangram STOREFRONT is a clever umbrella term tying together five distinct types of shops, and the mix of short and long words keeps the search engaging without feeling punishing. Solid Saturday fare.
