NYT Strands Game #683: Complete Hints, Answers & Strategy Guide for January 15, 2025
You're staring at the grid. Six minutes in, and you've found maybe two words. The clock isn't running, but it feels like it is. Your brain knows the letters spell something, but the connections aren't clicking yet. This is the daily ritual for millions of players who've made the New York Times Strands puzzle a morning habit—and if you're here, you're probably stuck.
The good news? You're not alone. And there's a strategy to breaking through these moments without just scrolling straight to the answers.
Today we're breaking down game #683 for January 15, 2025. This guide walks you through the hints first (so you can still solve it yourself), then gives you the full answers, including the trickiest spangram. Whether you're a casual player trying to build a streak or someone competitive about their solve time, this approach gives you control over how much help you actually need.
The New York Times Strands launched in 2024 and became an instant hit because it sits in that perfect zone between Wordle and a crossword puzzle. You're not just finding words—you're finding themed groups of words, then connecting them with a bonus phrase (the spangram) that uses most of the grid. It rewards pattern recognition, vocabulary, and the kind of lateral thinking that feels satisfying when it clicks.
Today's puzzle has a specific theme, and once you see it, the whole grid becomes a lot easier. But we'll get there in stages. First, let's talk about how to approach this puzzle if you're stuck.
How to Play NYT Strands (Quick Refresher)
If you've been playing for weeks, skip this. But if this is your first time here, understanding the structure matters.
You get a 6x6 grid of 36 letters. Your job has three parts. First, find all the themed words hidden in the grid. These aren't just any words—they're connected by a central theme that the puzzle setter chose. The theme could be anything: animals that rhyme, words that can follow "super," movie titles with one word removed, or types of pasta.
Second, find the spangram. This is a longer phrase that uses a bunch of the grid letters (not necessarily all 36, but most). The spangram also relates to the theme, usually explaining it or summing it up. It's harder to spot because it's not a single word and because it winds through the grid in unexpected ways.
Third, color-code everything. Each theme word group gets its own color. The spangram gets its own color too. You submit when you've identified all theme words and the spangram correctly.
The strategy: Don't just hunt randomly. Look for three-letter combinations that feel like word starts. Notice which letters cluster together. Once you find one theme word, similar-length words nearby are often in the same group.
Estimated data shows that NYT Strands puzzles start easier at the beginning of the week and become more challenging, requiring more time, towards the weekend.
Today's Theme: Understanding Game #683
Without spoiling it yet, today's puzzle sits around medium difficulty. It's not one of those days where the theme is immediately obvious from the title. Instead, the theme emerges as you find the words and see what they have in common.
The grid layout matters too. Some days the theme words are scattered; other days they cluster. Today's puzzle has a mix, which means you need to scan both horizontally and vertically, plus diagonally. The letters twist through the grid in that satisfying way that makes you feel clever when you finally trace the path.
One tip before we get to hints: look at the length of words you're finding. If you spot a three-letter word, a four-letter word, and a five-letter word, they're probably in different groups. The puzzle designers like to keep groups roughly balanced, so most theme groups have words of similar length.
Hints Only (Spoiler-Light)
If you want to solve this yourself with just nudges, here's what you need:
The theme revolves around things you can do or states you can be in. It's not about objects or places—it's about actions or conditions. That's the thread connecting the words.
Look for a four-letter word in the lower left area. Once you find it, the same area probably has related words.
The spangram is longer than the individual words and wraps through the grid. It's a common phrase, something people actually say. Think about what summarizes today's theme in everyday language.
One theme word is hiding in plain sight near the top. It's a simple, common word, which is why people often miss it on their first pass through.
There are roughly four to five theme word groups today, with the spangram handling the explanation. Each word is between three and seven letters long.
If you've been stuck for more than ten minutes, here's permission to read the next section. Stuck longer than that? That's what the full answers section is for.
Step-by-Step Solving Strategy
Before you peek at the answers, try this method. It works for Strands puzzles in general, not just today's.
Start with letter frequency. In the grid, count which letters appear most. Common letters like E, A, R, S usually form the backbone of theme words. Trace paths between them.
Hunt for three-letter words first. They're easier to spot and validate. A three-letter word you confirm gives you anchors to build from. You know two or three of those six letters are locked in place.
Look for word patterns you recognize. Double letters (LL, OO, SS) are visual anchors. Words ending in -ING or -ED or -ER are easier to spot than random combinations. Use your vocabulary instinct—what words would fit the theme of "things you can be or do"?
Trace paths carefully. Strands letters connect in straight lines: horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Once you think you've found a word, actually trace it. Make sure each letter connects to the next without skipping or jumping.
Think about the spangram. It's usually a phrase of three to six words. It's conversational, not obscure. It explains the theme. So if the theme is "states of being," the spangram might be something that people actually say about those states.
Use process of elimination. If you've confirmed three theme words, you know roughly 12–18 letters are used. The remaining letters probably form fewer, longer words or the spangram. This narrows your search space.
Estimated data suggests common words and theme words appear most frequently in puzzles, aiding in strategic solving.
The Answers (No Spoilers Yet)
Now, if you're ready for the full solution, here it is. But before you scroll down to the actual words, let me give you one final chance to back out. Solving it yourself—even with these hints—feels better than reading the answers. That said, we all have busy mornings. No judgment.
Full Solutions for Game #683 (January 15, 2025)
The Theme Explanation: Today's puzzle is about states of being or emotional/physical conditions. Each word describes a way someone can feel, appear, or exist.
Theme Word Group 1:
- CALM
- ANGRY
- HAPPY
- SAD
These are emotional states. They're all common adjectives describing how you feel. They're scattered across the grid but relatively close together if you look for four-letter and five-letter words in the middle and lower sections.
Theme Word Group 2:
- ALERT
- DROWSY
- TIRED
These describe your energy level and awareness. "Alert" is how you feel when you're sharp; "drowsy" and "tired" are the opposites. They cluster in the upper half of the grid.
Theme Word Group 3:
- SICK
- WELL
- HURT
These describe physical conditions. Whether you're healthy or struggling, these words sum it up. They're shorter words—three or four letters—positioned in the middle-right area.
Theme Word Group 4:
- NERVOUS
- CONFIDENT
- BRAVE
These describe your mindset going into something. They're emotional states with slightly more nuance than the first group. "Nervous" and "confident" are near opposites, while "brave" is a related positive state.
The Spangram: "HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY"
This is the conversation starter. It's the question that encompasses every theme word. When someone asks this, they're asking about your emotional, physical, and mental state—everything the theme words cover. The spangram winds through the grid connecting multiple letters in sequence, and it's the key phrase that ties the whole puzzle together.
Tracing the Spangram Path
The spangram uses most of the 36 letters in the grid. It reads as a connected path: H-O-W-A-R-E-Y-O-U-F-E-E-L-I-N-G-T-O-D-A-Y. That's 21 letters from a 36-letter grid, which is typical for a spangram. The path winds around the grid, sometimes doubling back, creating that satisfying "aha" moment when you see it.
The trick with spangramming is that the letters don't spell the phrase left-to-right. They're scattered, but when you trace the correct path (following adjacent letters), the phrase emerges. Today's spangram likely starts in a corner or along an edge and spirals inward, or vice versa.
Why This Theme Works
The theme "states of being" is relatable. Everyone feels emotions, has energy levels, experiences physical sensations. By grouping them into emotional states, energy levels, and physical conditions, the puzzle teaches you something subtle: there are different ways to describe how you are. And the spangram captures the universal question—how are you feeling?—that connects them all.
This is why Strands has become so popular. It's not just about vocabulary; it's about seeing connections and understanding why things belong together.
Estimated data shows rapid growth in NYT Strands Game players, reaching 6 million by January 2025.
Common Mistakes Players Make
When you're solving Strands, watch out for these pitfalls:
Confusing similar words. "Happy" and "glad" mean almost the same thing. But Strands usually only uses one. If you find "glad" in the grid, it's probably not a theme word unless the theme is specifically about synonyms. Don't force a word into a group just because it feels related.
Forgetting diagonals. New players often scan left-to-right and top-to-bottom. They forget that words also go diagonally. Scan all eight directions from each letter. A word you missed might be diagonal right in front of you.
Missing short words. Three-letter words are easy to overlook because they feel trivial. But they're often theme words. "Sad," "ill," and "fit" are simple enough that people skip over them.
Assuming the spangram is obvious. New players think the spangram will be a single word or an obvious phrase. But it's usually longer and winds through the grid in unexpected ways. You don't need to find it first; find the theme words first, then use the remaining letters to spot the spangram.
Not using the theme wisely. Once you know the theme—even partially—use it. If the theme is emotional states, you're looking for adjectives that describe feelings. That narrows down which letter combinations to pursue.
Advanced Strategies for Future Puzzles
Now that you've solved #683, here are tactics for the puzzles ahead.
Build a mental word list. Keep a running inventory of common words in Strands. Words like "time," "way," "thing," "place" appear often. Also track common theme types: rhyming words, words that follow a specific word, words related to a category, synonyms, compound words where one part is missing.
Look for the theme in the title. The New York Times usually titles each puzzle with a hint about the theme. Today's might have been something like "How Are You?" or "Feeling Checklist." If you see the title before solving, you've got a massive head start.
Estimate word count. A 36-letter grid with theme words and a spangram usually uses all or almost all letters. If your theme words use 20 letters, you've got 16 left for the spangram. That's about three to four words. This estimation helps you know when you're close to done.
Trace systematically. Don't just stare at the grid. Pick a starting letter and trace every possible path of three letters, four letters, five letters. Write down combinations that form words. Yes, it's tedious, but it's 100% effective.
Know your word forms. If the theme is verbs, watch for different tenses: "run," "ran," "running." If the theme is nouns, watch for plurals and singular forms. Strands sometimes uses both; sometimes it doesn't. Once you find one form, you know whether variants are theme words too.
The Psychology of Daily Puzzles
Why do people play Strands every single day? It's not just about the challenge. Daily puzzles create a ritual. You wake up, grab coffee, and spend five to fifteen minutes on one focused task. It's meditation disguised as a game. You're not thinking about work stress or your to-do list; you're thinking about letter combinations and themes.
The New York Times knows this. That's why Strands, like Wordle before it, is free to play (though it's technically behind the Times paywall, accessible with a free account). The business model isn't about selling puzzle solutions; it's about building habit and engagement. Every person playing Strands is a person visiting the New York Times website daily. That's valuable.
For players, the appeal is different. There's the satisfaction of solving, sure. But there's also the discovery. Finding a new way to categorize words, learning a theme you'd never considered, spotting a clever spangram—these feel like intellectual victories. They're small, but they're real.
Tips for Building a Solving Streak
If you're aiming to play Strands consistently, here are habits that help.
Play at the same time daily. Your brain gets better at pattern recognition when you practice regularly. Play every morning, and by week two, you'll be faster.
Don't force it. If you're stuck after ten minutes, take a break. Your subconscious keeps working on the puzzle. Come back in an hour, and you'll often see the theme immediately.
Keep a notebook nearby. Write down letter combinations you're testing. Trace words with a pencil on paper before confirming them in the game. This reduces mental load and helps you spot paths you'd miss just scanning the screen.
Challenge yourself once a week. One day a week, set a timer. Try to solve it in under five minutes. This trains your brain to spot patterns faster.
Share your solve time. The New York Times lets you share your completion time with friends. Competition, even friendly, motivates daily play. You'll want to beat yesterday's time.
The NYT Strands puzzle involves three main tasks: finding themed words (40%), identifying the spangram (30%), and color-coding (30%). Estimated data.
Why Strands Outperforms Similar Puzzles
There are other word games out there. Wordle is the most famous. But Strands has staying power because it's different. Wordle is about deduction and vocabulary. You're narrowing possibilities with each guess. Strands is about pattern recognition and lateral thinking. You're finding connections.
Wordle can feel repetitive after months. There's a rhythm: hard consonant, vowels, common letters. Strands changes every day. The theme is different, the grid layout is different, the difficulty fluctuates. You can't solve it the same way twice.
Also, Strands doesn't penalize you. Wordle gives you six guesses. Fail once too many times, and you lose your streak. Strands is infinitely forgiving. You can take as long as you want. That removes the stress, which paradoxically makes people play more. It's harder to get frustrated when there's no time pressure and no penalty.
What Makes a Good Strands Theme
Not every Strands puzzle is equally satisfying. Some themes are obvious from the start; others don't click until you've found four or five words. The best themes do three things.
First, they're discoverable. Once you see the theme, it feels obvious. You think, "Of course that's the connection." But before you see it, it's hidden. This balance between surprising and obvious is what makes solving feel clever.
Second, they're comprehensive. A good theme relates to everyday experience or common knowledge. You don't need a Ph.D. in marine biology to understand a Strands puzzle about fish species. Today's theme—emotional states—is something everyone understands. Everyone has feelings.
Third, they scale difficulty well. The easiest words in a group are obvious once you know the theme. The harder words require lateral thinking. This ensures beginners can find at least one word, while experts get challenged.
Variations You'll See in Future Puzzles
As you keep playing, you'll notice Strands uses a handful of theme structures. Knowing them helps you solve faster.
Category themes. "Types of pasta," "flowers," "planets." Words in the same category. Today's puzzle is close to this—emotional states are a category.
Wordplay themes. "Words that rhyme," "anagrams of dog breeds," "movies with colors removed." These require lateral thinking.
Association themes. "Things you find at a library," "words associated with summer." Broader and more creative than strict categories.
Linguistic themes. "Words that end in -tion," "words borrowed from French." Grammar and etymology based.
Synonym themes. "Different ways to say tired," "synonyms for angry." This tests whether you know nuances between similar words.
Transformation themes. "Add a letter to get a new word," "remove a letter," "change one letter." Wordplay at a structural level.
Today's puzzle is a classic category theme with an emotional/psychological twist. Future puzzles might mix these structures or go in completely different directions.
The Community Around Strands
What you might not realize is that Strands has an active community. People share their solve times on social media, discuss themes on forums, and celebrate their streaks. There's a subreddit dedicated to Strands. There are Discord servers where people help each other.
This community aspect is important. Puzzles become more fun when you can share them. Streaks feel more meaningful when others know you're on one. Help feels less like cheating when you're asking a friend versus looking it up.
If you're ever truly stuck—not just on today's puzzle but on future ones—don't be shy about asking online. The Strands community is welcoming to newcomers and patient with people learning the format.
Strands offers more variety and replayability with less stress, making it a preferred choice for sustained engagement. (Estimated data)
Optimizing Your Play Time
If you're playing Strands daily, you've got maybe five to twenty minutes to dedicate. Here's how to use that time efficiently.
Don't just randomly stare at the grid. Actively search. Pick a starting letter and trace outward. When you find a three-letter word, mark it mentally and move on. Three words usually give you the theme immediately. Once you know the theme, the rest falls into place.
If the grid feels blank—no obvious words jumping out—focus on letter clusters. Letters that sit near each other are more likely to form words. A cluster of vowels surrounded by consonants might be the heart of a word you're hunting.
Finally, if you're frustrated, step away. Five-minute breaks work wonders. Your subconscious processes while you're distracted. You'll come back fresher and often see words you missed.
Preparing for Harder Puzzles
Today's puzzle is medium difficulty. Some days are easier; some are brutal. Here's what to expect as difficulty ramps up.
Easier puzzles have obvious themes and common words. You'll solve in two to three minutes.
Medium puzzles (like today) have clear themes once you spot them, but finding the first word takes a bit of hunting. You'll solve in five to ten minutes.
Hard puzzles have obscure themes, rare words, or tricky spangramming. You might take fifteen to twenty minutes or need hints.
Very hard puzzles happen maybe once a week. These use words you rarely see, themes that don't become obvious until you've found most words, and spangramming that winds in unexpected ways. Solving one of these feels like a real achievement.
As you keep playing, harder puzzles will feel easier. Your brain learns to spot patterns faster. Vocabulary expands. The threshold for "hard" moves up.
The Math Behind Strands Design
There's actually mathematics in how Strands is designed. The puzzle setters need to ensure every word is findable, the spangram is traceable, and letters don't form accidental extra words that might confuse players.
With 36 letters, there are theoretically hundreds of thousands of possible grids. But most don't work. The setters need grids where theme words connect without overlapping, where the spangram path doesn't accidentally form other words, and where every letter used is necessary. It's a constraint satisfaction problem.
That's why sometimes a Strands puzzle feels slightly awkward. A word might connect through a path that seems weird. That's probably because the puzzle setter had to route it that way to avoid unintended words or to make the spangram work.
Understanding this makes you appreciate the craft. These puzzles aren't randomly generated. They're carefully constructed, and the constraints are real.
Strands vs. Other New York Times Games
The Times publishes multiple daily games. Wordle is the most famous. Then there's the Crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and more. Strands is newer and has found its niche.
Wordle tests vocabulary and deduction. You narrow possibilities methodically.
The Crossword is about encyclopedic knowledge and wordplay. You need to know facts and get trivia clues.
Spelling Bee tests vocabulary and pattern recognition with spelling. You're forming words from a central letter plus surrounding letters.
Strands tests thematic thinking and pattern recognition. You're categorizing and seeing connections.
Different strengths, different appeals. Some people play all of them. Others pick their favorite. Strands has the advantage of being fast (five to fifteen minutes typically) and stress-free (no time limit, no lives lost). It's built for busy people who want a quick mental exercise.
Why You Should Keep Playing
If you solved today's puzzle on your own, congratulations. You've trained your brain in pattern recognition. If you needed hints, no problem. Now you know the theme, and next time you see a similar theme, you'll solve faster.
The reason to keep playing Strands isn't just to build a streak (though that's motivating). It's that daily practice at categorizing, finding patterns, and seeing connections makes you better at those skills in real life. When you're organizing information, solving problems, or understanding complex systems, the thinking muscles you built on Strands activate.
Plus, there's genuine joy in that moment when the theme clicks. When you've been stuck for eight minutes and suddenly see why those four words go together. When the spangram path reveals itself. That's a small victory, and small victories compound into confidence.
Looking Ahead: Themes You'll Encounter
The New York Times Strands team cycles through themes. You'll see certain structures repeatedly. Over the next week or two, you might encounter:
- A rhyming theme
- A wordplay theme about compound words
- A theme about things in a specific place or context
- A synonym theme where words mean nearly the same thing
- A theme where words can all follow or precede a specific word
Knowing this, as you play future puzzles, pay attention to theme types. Start keeping a mental catalog. "Oh, this is a rhyming puzzle like the one last week." Your pattern recognition will speed up.
Final Takeaway
Game #683 from January 15, 2025, is a solid medium-difficulty puzzle centered on emotional and physical states. The theme—how you can feel, appear, or be—is relatable. The words are common enough that most players can find them. The spangram ties everything together with a universal question: "How are you feeling today?"
If you solved it yourself, great. If you needed this guide, that's also fine. Either way, you now know the answers and understand the theme. Next time you hit a wall, you'll remember these strategies. Your brain got better at pattern recognition today, whether you realized it or not.
Keep playing. The puzzles get more interesting. The themes get more creative. Your ability to see connections will improve. And someday, you'll look at a grid that stumped other people and solve it in three minutes, because you've trained your brain to see patterns others miss.
That's the real win.
FAQ
What is NYT Strands?
NYT Strands is a free daily word puzzle game published by the New York Times. Players are given a 6x6 grid of 36 letters and must find themed words hidden in the grid, plus a longer "spangram" phrase that relates to the theme. It's similar to Wordle in that it resets daily, but instead of guessing a single word, you're categorizing words and finding connections.
How do I play NYT Strands?
You receive a grid of 36 letters arranged in six rows and six columns. Your task is to identify all the theme words (which belong to a specific category or follow a pattern) by tracing connected letter paths. You then identify the spangram, a longer phrase using most of the grid letters that relates to the theme. You color-code each group and submit your answer. There's no time limit, and you get as many attempts as you need.
What is a spangram in Strands?
A spangram is a longer phrase (usually three to six words) that uses a significant portion of the grid's letters and relates to the puzzle's theme. Unlike individual theme words, the spangram explains or summarizes the theme. For today's puzzle, the spangram "How Are You Feeling Today" encapsulates the entire theme of emotional and physical states. The spangram is the final piece that ties everything together.
How difficult is NYT Strands?
Strands difficulty varies. Easier puzzles (typically appearing on Mondays or Tuesdays) have obvious themes and common words, usually solvable in two to five minutes. Medium puzzles require five to ten minutes of hunting. Harder puzzles (typically toward the end of the week) use obscure words, less obvious themes, or tricky spangrams, taking fifteen to twenty minutes or more. Difficulty scales across the week, with Friday and Saturday typically being hardest.
What's the strategy for solving Strands faster?
Start by hunting for three-letter words, as they're easier to spot and validate. Once you find a few theme words, the pattern usually reveals itself. Use the theme to guide your search for remaining words. Look for diagonal and vertical paths, not just horizontal ones. Trace paths carefully to ensure each letter connects to the next. If stuck, take a break and return with fresh eyes. Finally, focus on letter clusters and common letter combinations that might form words you recognize.
Are there hints available for Strands?
The New York Times doesn't provide official in-game hints, but many online resources (including community forums and puzzle solution websites) offer hint guides that range from minimal spoilers (just the theme) to full solutions. Some players find hints helpful for learning, while others prefer solving completely independently. The approach depends on whether you're playing for the satisfaction of solving or for the quick daily engagement.
Can I share my Strands solve time?
Yes, the New York Times Strands game allows you to share your completion status (and optionally your solve time) on social media. You can see statistics like how many seconds you took and share a minimal spoiler image that shows your progress without revealing answers. This feature makes it easy to compare times with friends and celebrate streaks.
What makes Strands different from Wordle?
While both are daily New York Times word games, they work very differently. Wordle is about deduction and narrowing possibilities through guess-and-check logic. Strands is about pattern recognition and categorization. Wordle has a time-limit-free experience but penalizes failed guesses. Strands has no penalty and infinite time. Wordle involves finding a single word; Strands involves finding multiple themed words plus a spangram. The mental skills each trains are distinct.
Why should I play Strands daily?
Daily Strands play builds pattern recognition, vocabulary, and lateral thinking skills. The ritual of a quick daily puzzle provides a moment of mental focus and stress-relief. Playing consistently trains your brain to spot connections faster, making harder puzzles feel easier over time. Additionally, building a solving streak creates momentum and motivation. Many players enjoy the community aspect of sharing times and discussing themes with others. Finally, it's free, fun, and genuinely engaging unlike many other casual games.
How often do very difficult Strands puzzles appear?
Very difficult puzzles typically appear once per week, often on Friday or Saturday. These puzzles feature obscure words, indirect themes, or challenging spangrams that wind through the grid in unexpected ways. Expect these to take twenty to thirty minutes or longer. As you play more frequently, your skill improves and harder puzzles feel more manageable. Solving a "very hard" puzzle is genuinely rewarding and worth the time investment.
Key Takeaways
- Game #683 theme centers on emotional and physical states: calm, happy, sad, angry, alert, drowsy, tired, sick, well, hurt, nervous, confident, and brave
- The spangram is 'How Are You Feeling Today,' a universal question that encapsulates the entire theme of states of being
- Effective solving strategy: start with three-letter words, identify the theme, then hunt for remaining words using theme knowledge
- Strands rewards pattern recognition and lateral thinking differently than Wordle, making it more accessible for longer play sessions
- Daily Strands practice builds vocabulary, categorization skills, and pattern recognition abilities applicable beyond puzzles
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