Hints Revealed for Today’s NYT Strands Puzzle

NEW YORK, April 3, 2025 — Players of the New York Times‘ elevated word-search game, Strands, are seeking help as they engage with today’s puzzle featuring the theme “Get the bug.” For those feeling stuck, hints and answers are accessible to help advance through the game.

In Strands, players must identify words hidden in a grid of letters. Words can connect in multiple directions — up, down, left, right, or diagonally — and may twist and turn to create unusual shapes. Every letter in the puzzle grid contributes to a solution, which is anchored by a special term known as the spangram.

Today’s spangram is the term “Entomology,” which refers to the scientific study of insects. This word not only encapsulates the theme but also spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically, making it a critical element for players trying to complete the puzzle.

Gael Cooper, a CNET editor, describes the current game setup as inviting; she mentions that the theme clues can provide significant assistance. “The key is recognizing the theme words like lightning, lady, stink, assassin, potato, and doodle, which are all tied to bugs,” Cooper noted. “If players find words that meet the length criteria, they can reveal hints and make progress more efficiently.”

To unlock hints in Strands, players should focus on discovering non-theme words of four letters or more. Finding three such words allows players to click on the “Hint” button to receive more information about the theme words. If you are new to Strands, it is recommended to identify the spangram first as it often simplifies finding the remaining answers.

Players often express frustration and excitement as they maneuver through puzzles like today’s with its creepy crawlers focus. Despite any challenges, Strands maintains an engaging environment by encouraging players to think creatively and discover connections in unconventional ways.

To enhance the gameplay experience, users can access previous hints or explore additional games available on the NYT Games platform. Strands is designed to support both casual gamers and those looking for a more brain-teasing challenge.