Today's NYT Strands is live for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 (Puzzle #688). 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: "Sneak-ing around"
What It Really Means
This theme focuses on the components and features of sneakers or athletic shoes. Look for parts of footwear.
Think About...
- Shoe construction and anatomy
- Parts that secure or decorate footwear
- Elements you'd find on athletic shoes
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Top to bottom then right
Letter Count: 11 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This phrase describes doing something purely for enjoyment or fun.
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's an idiomatic expression about doing something without serious purpose.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is J, last letter is S
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JUSTFORKICKS
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Secures your footwear
Closer: What you tie to keep shoes on
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 8 letters total
Answer
SHOELACE
Word 2
Vague: Back part of a shoe
Closer: Where your foot's rear rests
Letter Clue: Starts with H, 4 letters total
Answer
HEEL
Word 3
Vague: Bottom surface
Closer: The part that touches the ground
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SOLE
Word 4
Vague: Part that moves in your mouth
Closer: The flap under the laces
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 6 letters total
Answer
TONGUE
Word 5
Vague: Front upper section
Closer: The part covering the front of your foot
Letter Clue: Starts with V, 4 letters total
Answer
VAMP
Word 6
Vague: Brand identifier
Closer: Company symbol on footwear
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 4 letters total
Answer
LOGO
Word 7
Vague: Small hole for lacing
Closer: Where the lace passes through
Letter Clue: Starts with E, 6 letters total
Answer
EYELET
Full Answers
Spangram: JUSTFORKICKS
Theme Words:
- SHOELACE
- HEEL
- SOLE
- TONGUE
- VAMP
- LOGO
- EYELET
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: VAMP (less common shoe terminology that casual solvers might not know)
Our Take: Clever wordplay with "Sneak-ing around" hinting at sneaker parts. The spangram "JUSTFORKICKS" ties perfectly to the athletic shoe theme. Solid puzzle with a mix of obvious and technical terms that keeps solvers engaged.
