New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use shared meanings and familiar two-word phrases.
NYT Connections #1220 Puzzle Overview: 13 October 2026
EYE, BELT, and CHANGE each have more than one everyday meaning. Check how a word is being used before placing it in a group.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: EYE, LASH, LIPS, JACKET, TIE, SENSE, CHANGE, BELT, RING, TASTE, CUP, HITCH, CANNON, TETHER, FLAIR, ENDS.
NYT Connections Hints: 13 October 2026
Each of the four color groups below opens in four steps: hints, one word, the category name, then all four words. Stop at the step that gives enough help.
Yellow group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about the ability to judge well.
- Each can describe an ability to recognize quality.
Step 2 · one word
FLAIR
Step 3 · category
DISCERNMENT
Step 4 · all four words
EYE, FLAIR, SENSE, TASTE
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about securing something in place.
- Each can be a verb for attaching one thing to another.
Step 2 · one word
HITCH
Step 3 · category
FASTEN
Step 4 · all four words
HITCH, LASH, TETHER, TIE
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Look for objects awarded to winners.
- These prizes come from athletic competitions.
Step 2 · one word
CUP
Step 3 · category
SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES
Step 4 · all four words
BELT, CUP, JACKET, RING
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- One word can go before all four answers.
- That word is the opposite of “tight.”
Step 2 · one word
CANNON
Step 3 · category
LOOSE ___
Step 4 · all four words
CANNON, CHANGE, ENDS, LIPS
NYT Connections Answers: 13 October 2026
Step 4 of each group above holds its answer. The full solved grid and notes on today’s tricky words are folded below.
Full solved grid
Tricky words (spoilers)
BELT can mean to secure something, so it seems to fit with HITCH, LASH, TETHER, and TIE. Here it belongs with CUP, JACKET, and RING as a sports championship prize.
Each word in the purple group follows “loose.” A loose CANNON is an unpredictable person; loose CHANGE is small coins; loose ENDS are unfinished details; and loose LIPS may reveal a secret.
Yesterday’s groups for 12 October 2026
- STATUS: CONDITION, SHAPE, SITUATION, STATE
- TOLERATE: BEAR, HANDLE, STAND, WEATHER
- WORD SHORTENINGS, OFTEN: ABBREVIATION, CONTRACTION, ELISION, NICKNAME
- WORDS MADE USING U.S. POSTAL ABBREVIATIONS: ALKYLAMIDE, CALAMARI, MANDARIN, MELAMINE
More Connections: Yesterday’s puzzle · Play Connections on The New York Times
Also today: Wordle · Strands · Pips · Phrazle · Quordle · Keyword · Colordle · Unwordle · Hurdle
Earlier days: 12 Oct · 11 Oct · 10 Oct · 9 Oct · 8 Oct · 7 Oct · 6 Oct
Questions about Connections
When does Connections change to a new puzzle?
A new puzzle arrives at midnight in the player’s own time zone.
How many tries does a player get in Connections?
The game ends after four mistakes.
Where can a person play Connections?
Play on The New York Times Games site or in the NYT Games app: Connections.
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