Today's NYT Strands is live for Sunday, April 12, 2026 (Puzzle #770). 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: "Get ready!"
What It Really Means
This theme focuses on personal grooming and preparation activities, specifically, actions you take to look your best before heading out or facing the world.
Think About...
- Items you'd use in a bathroom or dressing room
- Actions people take to improve their appearance
- Verbs associated with personal care routines
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Top to bottom
Letter Count: 11 letters
Starting Zone: Third letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This phrase describes where you might perform today's theme activities
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's a common location for personal grooming and appearance checks
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is I, last letter is R
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INTHEMIRROR
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A grooming tool for hair
Closer: Used to smooth or detangle hair
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 5 letters total
Answer
BRUSH
Word 2
Vague: Another hair care implement
Closer: Has teeth and helps separate hair strands
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 4 letters total
Answer
COMB
Word 3
Vague: A bird-like grooming action
Closer: To tidy or arrange feathers or hair
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 5 letters total
Answer
PREEN
Word 4
Vague: To fuss over one's appearance
Closer: To groom or dress with careful attention
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 5 letters total
Answer
PRIMP
Word 5
Vague: To make something more attractive
Closer: To enhance or adorn for aesthetic improvement
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 8 letters total
Answer
BEAUTIFY
Word 6
Vague: A distinctive manner or appearance
Closer: To arrange hair or clothing in a particular way
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
STYLE
Word 7
Vague: To prepare or make neat
Closer: To clean and tidy one's appearance
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 5 letters total
Answer
GROOM
Full Answers
Spangram: INTHEMIRROR
Theme Words:
- BRUSH
- COMB
- PREEN
- PRIMP
- BEAUTIFY
- STYLE
- GROOM
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: PREEN (Less common in everyday grooming vocabulary compared to others)
Our Take: A straightforward personal care theme with clear connections to the "Get ready!" prompt. The spangram INTHEMIRROR cleverly ties all the grooming actions together. Most words are common grooming verbs, though PREEN might trip up solvers who don't immediately associate it with human appearance preparation.
