Today's NYT Strands is live for Tuesday, March 17, 2026 (Puzzle #744). 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: "Happy Saint Patrick's Day"
What It Really Means
This puzzle celebrates Irish culture and traditions associated with March 17th. Look for words connected to St. Patrick's Day celebrations, symbols, and festivities.
Think About...
- Traditional Irish symbols and colors
- St. Patrick's Day celebration activities
- Common phrases and items associated with the holiday
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Horizontal
Letter Count: 7 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the fifth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This phrase captures the environmental spirit of St. Patrick's Day
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's a common phrase encouraging eco-friendly practices, especially relevant today
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is G, last letter is N
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GOGREEN
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Something you might use to hitch a ride
Closer: A digit on your hand
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 5 letters total
Answer
THUMB
Word 2
Vague: A national symbol
Closer: Often waved at parades
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 4 letters total
Answer
FLAG
Word 3
Vague: Something that illuminates
Closer: Often green on this holiday
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 5 letters total
Answer
LIGHT
Word 4
Vague: A type of hat
Closer: Associated with French style
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 5 letters total
Answer
BERET
Word 5
Vague: A common seasoning
Closer: Often black or green
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 6 letters total
Answer
PEPPER
Word 6
Vague: A space in a building
Closer: Where celebrations happen
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 4 letters total
Answer
ROOM
Word 7
Vague: A social gathering
Closer: What you attend on St. Patrick's Day
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 5 letters total
Answer
PARTY
Word 8
Vague: A divine female figure
Closer: Associated with mythology
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 7 letters total
Answer
GODDESS
Full Answers
Spangram: GOGREEN
Theme Words:
- THUMB
- FLAG
- LIGHT
- BERET
- PEPPER
- ROOM
- PARTY
- GODDESS
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: BERET (Not immediately associated with St. Patrick's Day, though some parade participants wear them)
Our Take: A clever St. Patrick's Day puzzle that mixes obvious holiday symbols with less direct associations. The spangram "GOGREEN" ties everything together with the holiday's signature color. Some words like "BERET" and "GODDESS" require lateral thinking but fit the broader celebration theme.
