New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use shared meanings, a computing connection, a physics formula, and a word that follows each entry.
NYT Connections #1230 Puzzle Overview: 23 October 2026
DIRECT, DRIVER, and DOUBLE have more than one meaning. Check that the same connection works for all four words before submitting a group.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: EXTENSION, LOVE, DIRECT, POWER, SPINAL, VOCAL, DRIVER, DISTANCE, PHONE, TIME, UPDATE, OPEN, FRANK, FORCE, DOUBLE, PLUGIN.
NYT Connections Hints: 23 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 how someone expresses an opinion.
- These describe someone who speaks plainly or makes their views known.
Step 2 · one word
FRANK
Step 3 · category
FORTHRIGHT
Step 4 · all four words
DIRECT, FRANK, OPEN, VOCAL
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about software.
- Each can be added to a desktop or laptop.
Step 2 · one word
EXTENSION
Step 3 · category
THINGS YOU INSTALL ON A COMPUTER
Step 4 · all four words
DRIVER, EXTENSION, PLUGIN, UPDATE
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about physics.
- Look for quantities in an equation for the rate of doing work.
Step 2 · one word
DISTANCE
Step 3 · category
QUANTITIES IN A FORMULA FOR POWER
Step 4 · all four words
DISTANCE, FORCE, POWER, TIME
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- A shared word comes after each entry.
- Each begins a familiar two-word expression ending with the same noun.
Step 2 · one word
LOVE
Step 3 · category
___ TAP
Step 4 · all four words
DOUBLE, LOVE, PHONE, SPINAL
NYT Connections Answers: 23 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)
EXTENSION can mean added length, so it may seem to fit with DISTANCE in the physics group. Here, it belongs with DRIVER, PLUGIN, and UPDATE as something installed on a computer.
The final group puts “tap” after each word. DOUBLE gives “double tap,” two quick taps. LOVE gives “love tap,” a gentle hit. PHONE gives “phone tap,” a way to listen secretly to calls. SPINAL gives “spinal tap,” a procedure for collecting a sample of fluid from around the spinal cord.
Yesterday’s groups for 22 October 2026
- PARTS TO BE GRASPED: GRIP, HANDLE, HILT, KNOB
- KINDS OF SCULPTURES: BUST, MOBILE, RELIEF, STATUE
- AMERICAN FOOTBALL POSITIONS: END, GUARD, SAFETY, TACKLE
- STARTS OF BEDDING: BLANK, COMFORT, PILL, SHE
More Connections: Yesterday’s puzzle · Play Connections on The New York Times
Also today: Wordle · Strands · Pips · Phrazle · Quordle · Keyword · Colordle · Unwordle · Hurdle · NYT Crossword · NYT Mini · NYT Midi · Jumble · Spelling Bee · Letter Boxed · Parseword · Poeltl
Earlier days: 22 Oct · 21 Oct · 20 Oct · 19 Oct · 18 Oct · 17 Oct · 16 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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