Today's NYT Strands is live for Tuesday, April 7, 2026 (Puzzle #765). 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: "Taking the helm"
What It Really Means
This nautical theme focuses on navigation and sailing terminology, words you'd use when piloting a ship or charting a course.
Think About...
- Navigation instruments and measurements
- Sailing directions and positions
- Maritime terminology for course plotting
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Diagonally then down, across and around to form what resembles a sail boat
Letter Count: 13 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the sixth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This phrase describes an easy, trouble-free journey
Hint 2 (Warmer): Think about what sailors hope for when setting out to sea
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is S, last letter is G
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SMOOTHSAILING
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A unit of measurement for depth
Closer: Used to measure ocean depth, equals six feet
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 6 letters total
Answer
FATHOM
Word 2
Vague: A point of reference or indicator
Closer: Used in navigation to indicate a specific location
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 4 letters total
Answer
MARK
Word 3
Vague: A fastening or measurement unit
Closer: A unit of speed used in maritime and aviation
Letter Clue: Starts with K, 4 letters total
Answer
KNOT
Word 4
Vague: A path or direction
Closer: The planned route for a ship or aircraft
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 6 letters total
Answer
COURSE
Word 5
Vague: A reference point along a route
Closer: A specific location used in navigation planning
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 8 letters total
Answer
WAYPOINT
Word 6
Vague: Direction or orientation
Closer: The direction of one point relative to another
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 7 letters total
Answer
BEARING
Full Answers
Spangram: SMOOTHSAILING
Theme Words:
- FATHOM
- MARK
- KNOT
- COURSE
- WAYPOINT
- BEARING
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: WAYPOINT (Modern navigation term that might not immediately come to mind for casual solvers)
Our Take: A solid nautical theme with consistent navigation terminology. The spangram's diagonal orientation cleverly mimics a sailboat's shape. While most words are straightforward maritime terms, the inclusion of WAYPOINT adds a modern twist that could trip up solvers not familiar with GPS navigation systems.
