New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use shared functions, associations, endings of longer names, and a common visual feature.
NYT Connections #1236 Puzzle Overview: 29 October 2026
EMPEROR and CALICO each have more than one meaning. Check whether a possible connection accounts for all four entries before committing.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: TUXEDO, TRAFFIC LIGHT, ROMAN, EMPEROR, PARKING METER, CANDY CORN, NEAPOLITAN, PIGGY BANK, TYPEWRITER, WISHING WELL, GOTHIC, ANTARCTICA, CALICO, WADDLE, SANS, PAYPHONE.
NYT Connections Hints: 29 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 where loose change goes.
- Some take payment, while others hold savings or receive a hopeful toss.
Step 2 · one word
PARKING METER
Step 3 · category
THINGS YOU PUT COINS INTO
Step 4 · all four words
PARKING METER, PAYPHONE, PIGGY BANK, WISHING WELL
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- These point to the same flightless bird.
- Think about its habitat, a species, its appearance, and its walk.
Step 2 · one word
ANTARCTICA
Step 3 · category
ASSOCIATED WITH PENGUINS
Step 4 · all four words
ANTARCTICA, EMPEROR, TUXEDO, WADDLE
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Look at the final parts of longer names.
- Each completes the name of a familiar typeface.
Step 2 · one word
GOTHIC
Step 3 · category
ENDS OF FAMOUS FONTS
Step 4 · all four words
GOTHIC, ROMAN, SANS, TYPEWRITER
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about how these look.
- Each has a familiar appearance built around a trio of hues.
Step 2 · one word
CANDY CORN
Step 3 · category
THINGS THAT FEATURE THREE COLORS
Step 4 · all four words
CALICO, CANDY CORN, NEAPOLITAN, TRAFFIC LIGHT
Less common words explained
- CALICO: A calico cat has patches of white, orange, and black fur.
- NEAPOLITAN: This ice cream combines chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry in separate sections.
NYT Connections Answers: 29 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)
ROMAN can suggest the penguin associations through the phrase “Roman emperor,” but it belongs with the font-name endings. EMPEROR refers to a penguin species here, alongside ANTARCTICA, TUXEDO, and WADDLE.
The font names are Century GOTHIC, Times New ROMAN, Comic SANS, and American TYPEWRITER. Each board entry supplies the ending of a longer name.
PARKING METER, PAYPHONE, PIGGY BANK, and WISHING WELL all receive coins. CALICO cats, CANDY CORN, NEAPOLITAN ice cream, and a standard TRAFFIC LIGHT each feature three colors.
Yesterday’s groups for 28 October 2026
- ROMANTIC LIKING: ATTRACTION, CRUSH, FEELINGS, INTEREST
- COMPONENTS OF AN EMAIL: ATTACHMENT, BODY, SIGNATURE, SUBJECT
- NASA MARS ROVERS: CURIOSITY, OPPORTUNITY, PERSEVERANCE, SPIRIT
- HOMOPHONES OF PATHS: COARSE, RODE, ROUT, WEIGH
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: 28 Oct · 27 Oct · 26 Oct · 25 Oct · 24 Oct · 23 Oct · 22 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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