Today's NYT Strands is live for Tuesday, January 13, 2026 (Puzzle #681). 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: "You need to chill"
What It Really Means
Today's theme is all about frozen foods and treats. Look for items you'd typically find in the freezer section of a grocery store.
Think About...
- Frozen desserts and sweet treats
- Pre-made frozen meals and snacks
- Vegetables and other foods preserved by freezing
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Right to Left
Letter Count: 9 letters
Starting Zone: Fifth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think about what happens to food when you put it in the freezer.
Hint 2 (Warmer): This is the category that encompasses all of today's theme words.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is F, last letter is D
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FROZENFOOD
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A popular frozen meal that's often delivered.
Closer: Comes with cheese, sauce, and various toppings.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 5 letters total
Answer
PIZZA
Word 2
Vague: A frozen dessert that's lighter than ice cream.
Closer: Often fruit-flavored and served in scoops.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 7 letters total
Answer
SHERBET
Word 3
Vague: Frozen treats on sticks.
Closer: Often fruit-flavored and perfect for hot days.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 9 letters total
Answer
POPSICLES
Word 4
Vague: Breakfast items that freeze well.
Closer: Grid-patterned and often served with syrup.
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 7 letters total
Answer
WAFFLES
Word 5
Vague: Healthy frozen option.
Closer: Often sold in bags for easy preparation.
Letter Clue: Starts with V, 9 letters total
Answer
VEGETABLE
Full Answers
Spangram: FROZENFOOD
Theme Words:
- PIZZA
- SHERBET
- POPSICLES
- WAFFLES
- VEGETABLE
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: SHERBET (The spelling can be confusing - it's not "sherbert")
Our Take: A straightforward frozen foods theme with familiar items. The spangram "FROZENFOOD" clearly defines the category, making the puzzle accessible for most solvers. The mix includes both sweet treats and practical meal components, offering variety within the theme.
