Welcome to the January 7, 2026 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 easing in with Easy, carefully working through Medium, 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 the December 21 puzzles with confidence.

Let’s jump right into today’s challenge.

NYT Pips Hard Hints and Answer - January 7

Puzzle:
Step 1:
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Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Step 9:
Step 10:
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Step 12:

Done!

NYT Pips Medium Hints and Answer - January 7

Puzzle:
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:

Done!

Did today’s Hard puzzle catch you off guard?

The January 7 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 all three 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!