New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use physical components, locations around a performance area, shared phrases, and a first-letter change.
NYT Connections #1237 Puzzle Overview: 30 October 2026
FLASH, PIT, and SHADE each 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: DEMON, PIT, HANDS, WINGS, SHUTTER, GLUM, CURTAIN, SHADE, DRAPE, FLASH, RUG, GRANGE, LENS, PILLOW, BACKDROP, VIEWFINDER.
NYT Connections Hints: 30 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 taking photographs.
- Look for physical components used to capture or frame a photograph.
Step 2 · one word
LENS
Step 3 · category
PARTS OF A CAMERA
Step 4 · all four words
FLASH, LENS, SHUTTER, VIEWFINDER
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think about the space used for a live performance.
- These features sit behind, beside, below, or across the performance area.
Step 2 · one word
BACKDROP
Step 3 · category
AROUND A THEATER STAGE
Step 4 · all four words
BACKDROP, CURTAIN, PIT, WINGS
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- The same word can go in front of each entry.
- That preceding word forms expressions involving fighting, home furnishings, and insults.
Step 2 · one word
HANDS
Step 3 · category
THROW ___
Step 4 · all four words
HANDS, PILLOW, RUG, SHADE
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- Look for a spelling change at the start of each entry.
- Replace the initial letter to get something edible that grows on a plant.
Step 2 · one word
DEMON
Step 3 · category
FRUIT WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED
Step 4 · all four words
DEMON, DRAPE, GLUM, GRANGE
Less common words explained
- GRANGE: A grange is a farmhouse with its associated farm buildings.
NYT Connections Answers: 30 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)
DRAPE can mean a hanging cloth, so it may suggest the group around a theater stage. Here it belongs with the altered fruit names.
Put “throw” before each blue word. “Throw HANDS” means to fight. A throw PILLOW is a decorative cushion, and a throw RUG is a small floor covering. To throw SHADE is to insult or mock someone.
Changing the first letter turns DEMON into lemon, DRAPE into grape, GLUM into plum, and GRANGE into orange.
Yesterday’s groups for 29 October 2026
- THINGS YOU PUT COINS INTO: PARKING METER, PAYPHONE, PIGGY BANK, WISHING WELL
- ASSOCIATED WITH PENGUINS: ANTARCTICA, EMPEROR, TUXEDO, WADDLE
- ENDS OF FAMOUS FONTS: GOTHIC, ROMAN, SANS, TYPEWRITER
- THINGS THAT FEATURE THREE COLORS: CALICO, CANDY CORN, NEAPOLITAN, TRAFFIC LIGHT
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: 29 Oct · 28 Oct · 27 Oct · 26 Oct · 25 Oct · 24 Oct · 23 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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