Today's NYT Strands is live for Tuesday, March 10, 2026 (Puzzle #737). 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: "Hey"
What It Really Means
You're looking for various ways to greet someone or get their attention. This theme is all about salutations and opening phrases.
Think About...
- Common greetings you use every day
- Formal and informal ways to say hello
- Attention-getting words from different contexts
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Diagonal (from upper right to lower left)
Letter Count: 7 letters
Starting Zone: Sixth letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of a cheerful, positive greeting that wishes someone well
Hint 2 (Warmer): This phrase is often used to wish someone a pleasant time or express satisfaction with an encounter
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is G, last letter is Y
---
---
---
---
---
GOODDAY
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A nautical greeting often associated with sailors
Closer: What a pirate might shout from a ship
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 4 letters total
Answer
AHOY
Word 2
Vague: A formal, plural form of greeting
Closer: Often used in written correspondence or formal speeches
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 9 letters total
Answer
GREETINGS
Word 3
Vague: The most common English greeting
Closer: What you say when answering the phone or meeting someone
Letter Clue: Starts with H, 5 letters total
Answer
HELLO
Word 4
Vague: A casual, friendly greeting with Southern roots
Closer: Often associated with cowboys or rural America
Letter Clue: Starts with H, 5 letters total
Answer
HOWDY
Word 5
Vague: Very formal expressions of greeting
Closer: Often used in official documents or ceremonial addresses
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 11 letters total
Answer
SALUTATIONS
Word 6
Vague: What you say when inviting someone in
Closer: A warm, inviting greeting often used at entrances
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 7 letters total
Answer
WELCOME
Full Answers
Spangram: GOODDAY
Theme Words:
- AHOY
- GREETINGS
- HELLO
- HOWDY
- SALUTATIONS
- WELCOME
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: SALUTATIONS (11 letters can be challenging to spot in the grid)
Our Take: A straightforward theme with clear connections between all words. The diagonal spangram placement adds a nice twist, but the familiar vocabulary makes this puzzle accessible to most players. Good variety from casual to formal greetings.
