Welcome to the December 21 edition of NYT Pips! If this puzzle is part of your daily routine, you know how rewarding it feels when everything finally clicks into place. Today’s set strikes a nice balance between straightforward logic and a few clever twists—perfect for getting your brain going.

Whether you’re looking for help for the Medium level or taking on the Hard grid head-on, we’ve laid out each step in a clear, easy-to-follow way. With subtle hints, visual guidance, and full walkthroughs, you’ll be able to tackle both of the December 21 puzzles with confidence.

Let’s jump right into today’s challenge.

NYT Pips Hard Hints and Answer - December 21

Puzzle:
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Done!

NYT Pips Medium Hints and Answer - December 21

Puzzle:
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Done!

Did today’s Hard puzzle catch you off guard?

The December 21 Hard grid had a few smart surprises—did any of them make you stop and rethink your approach?

We hope this walkthrough helped you clear both the difficulty levels without too much trouble. If the hints came in handy, drop a quick comment and let us know how your solve went. See you tomorrow for another fresh Pips challenge!