How to Play NYT Connections

Connections gives you a grid of 16 words. Your job is to split them into four groups of four, where the words in each group share a theme.

The basic rules

1. Tap four words you think belong together, then press Submit.
2. If you are right, the group is revealed with its category name and the words leave the grid.
3. If you are wrong, you lose one of your four lives. The game ends after the fourth mistake.
4. If you are one word away, the game will tell you so. Use that signal wisely.

What the colors mean

• Yellow: the most straightforward group.
• Green: still approachable, with a little more thinking.
• Blue: often involves a clever phrase or a less obvious link.
• Purple: usually wordplay, hidden patterns or an unusual category.

The colors only show difficulty after a group is solved. Do not assume the easiest group is the one that looks easiest on the board.

Why red herrings matter

The puzzle is built to tempt you. A word often fits two or even three groups, and one group may contain five or six candidates. The right approach is to find the words that only fit one place first, and let the overlap sort itself out.

Need a nudge?

Head to today's hints. We show a gentle clue for each group first, and keep the answers hidden until you ask for them.