Today's NYT Strands is live for Wednesday, April 22, 2026 (Puzzle #780). 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: "Earth Day"
What It Really Means
This Earth Day puzzle focuses on sustainable actions and environmental practices that help protect our planet.
Think About...
- Common environmental slogans and principles
- Actions you can take to reduce waste and consumption
- Ways to extend the life of products and materials
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Diagonally upwards, down, across and up
Letter Count: 12 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the fourth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): The overarching concept behind environmental protection efforts
Hint 2 (Warmer): The careful management of natural resources to prevent waste
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is C, last letter is N
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CONSERVATION
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Cut back on consumption
Closer: The first R in the environmental mantra
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 6 letters total
Answer
REDUCE
Word 2
Vague: Process materials for new use
Closer: The second R in the environmental mantra
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 7 letters total
Answer
RECYCLE
Word 3
Vague: Give something another life
Closer: The third R in the environmental mantra
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 5 letters total
Answer
REUSE
Word 4
Vague: Top up instead of buying new
Closer: What you do with a water bottle or container
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 6 letters total
Answer
REFILL
Word 5
Vague: Give away items you no longer need
Closer: Contribute to charity or thrift stores
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 6 letters total
Answer
DONATE
Word 6
Vague: Fix instead of replacing
Closer: Mend broken items to extend their life
Letter Clue: Starts with R, 6 letters total
Answer
REPAIR
Full Answers
Spangram: CONSERVATION
Theme Words:
- REDUCE
- RECYCLE
- REUSE
- REFILL
- DONATE
- REPAIR
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: REFILL (Could be overlooked as it's not part of the classic "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" trio)
Our Take: A timely Earth Day puzzle that expands beyond the classic environmental mantra. The inclusion of REFILL, DONATE, and REPAIR adds practical depth to sustainable living concepts. The spangram CONSERVATION perfectly encapsulates the theme while providing a satisfying 12-letter challenge across the board.
