Today's NYT Strands is live for Wednesday, April 8, 2026 (Puzzle #766). 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: "We're going under cover"
What It Really Means
Today's theme centers on bedding items that provide warmth and comfort. You're looking for various types of covers used on beds.
Think About...
- Items you'd find on a bed for warmth
- Different types of bed coverings
- Synonyms for blankets or comforters
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Horizontal
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the fifth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This word describes the category of items you're finding today
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's a collective term for items placed on a bed
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is B, last letter is S
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BEDCLOTHES
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A large piece of fabric for warmth
Closer: Often used as a top layer on a bed
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 7 letters total
Answer
BLANKET
Word 2
Vague: A type of knitted or crocheted covering
Closer: Often handmade and decorative
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 6 letters total
Answer
AFGHAN
Word 3
Vague: A multi-layered bed covering
Closer: Often features intricate stitching patterns
Letter Clue: Starts with Q, 5 letters total
Answer
QUILT
Word 4
Vague: Another term for a bed covering
Closer: Can refer to a bedspread or comforter
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 6 letters total
Answer
SPREAD
Word 5
Vague: A smaller decorative blanket
Closer: Often draped over furniture or used as accent
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 5 letters total
Answer
THROW
Word 6
Vague: A thick, padded bed covering
Closer: Usually filled with down or synthetic material
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 10 letters total
Answer
COMFORTER
Full Answers
Spangram: BEDCLOTHES
Theme Words:
- BLANKET
- AFGHAN
- QUILT
- SPREAD
- THROW
- COMFORTER
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: AFGHAN (Some solvers might not immediately think of this as a type of blanket)
Our Take: A straightforward theme with clear connections between all items. The spangram "BEDCLOTHES" perfectly encapsulates the category, making this puzzle accessible for beginners. The word "AFGHAN" adds a nice touch of variety beyond the most obvious blanket terms.
