Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns.

New York Times releases clues for Strands word puzzle. Strands presents a new theme daily. Players must find theme-related words on a grid. A special Spangram stretches across the board. Hints are available to help players.

In the NYT Strands daily game, players are presented with a fresh theme each day and must find all the hidden words within a letter grid. A key feature of the game is the Spangram, a special word or phrase that stretches across two sides of the board and offers an important clue to help solve the puzzle.