NYT Connections is the daily word game that asks you to sort 16 seemingly unrelated words into four logical groups of four. For 12 January 2026, the puzzle blended abstract ideas, cultural references, and clever wordplay. Some categories felt instantly familiar, while others required a second look. Below, you’ll find spoiler-free hints first, followed by the full answers.
NYT Connections Puzzle Overview: 12 January 2026
Today’s grid leaned heavily into concepts and associations rather than literal definitions. A couple of categories appeared deceptively obvious, while one relied on a playful linguistic twist. Overall, this was a satisfying mix that rewarded broad knowledge and careful reading, especially for solvers who double-check patterns before locking answers.
NYT Connections Hints: 12 January 2026
Category 1:
- Common items you might find in a shared household space
- Often associated with comfort or storage
- Typically placed together in one room
- Physical objects rather than abstract ideas
Category 2:
- Words that describe levels of skill or mastery
- Often used in education or training contexts
- Can describe progress over time
- Relate to how capable someone is
Category 3:
- All words relate to mutual consent or assurance
- Often involve trust between people
- Can be verbal or implied
- Connected to commitments or deals
Category 4:
- A playful category built around word endings
- Each term hides something familiar at the end
- Think small, everyday objects
- The connection isn’t about meaning, but structure
NYT Connections Answers: 12 January 2026
Here are the answers for today, grouped by category:
Category 1:
Category 2:
Category 3:
Category 4:
Conclusion & Quick Strategy Tip
Today’s puzzle offered a pleasant mix of trivia and orthographic trickery — approachable if you spotted the obvious categories, trickier if you focused only on letters. Quick strategy tip: when a cluster looks like trivia, scan for proper names first; when letters look odd, test pronunciations and small edits.
Discussion