Today's Strands theme is "Riding high" — and it’s all about an adventurous activity that takes you soaring through the air. If you’re stuck on today’s puzzle, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with hints, strategies, and the full solution.

Today’s Theme: Riding high

When you think of "riding high," what comes to mind? Today’s puzzle points toward an adrenaline-filled outdoor activity where you’re strapped in, geared up, and zipping through the air.

Hints for Today’s Strands

If you need a little nudge without giving everything away:

  1. Think adventure sports – not something you’d do casually at home.
  2. Gear is very important here — safety comes first!
  3. Picture yourself soaring over treetops, wind rushing past your face.

Today’s Strands Answers: 16th September 2025

Here are all the words you need to find to solve today’s puzzle:

  • CARABINER – that clip keeps you safely attached
  • GLOVES – because grip matters
  • CABLE – the line you ride on
  • HARNESS – keeps you strapped in
  • PULLEY – the mechanism that lets you glide smoothly
  • HELMET – for protection, always

✨ Spangram (Main Theme Word)

ZIPLINING – the heart of today’s puzzle. It snakes through the grid, touching both sides.

Related:

How Strands works

Strands is a daily word search puzzle with a twist:

  • You’re given a theme.
  • The grid is packed with hidden words tied to that theme.
  • Words can run in any direction, including diagonals.
  • Once you find all the theme words, you’re done!

Each puzzle usually has around 6–8 theme words.

How to get and use hints

Hints are built right into Strands, and they’re super useful if you’re stuck:

  • To earn a hint, find any non-theme word of at least four letters in the grid.
  • Each valid extra word gives you one hint.
  • When you use a hint, one of the theme words will be revealed automatically, helping you move forward.

Pro tip: Don’t just burn hints — use them strategically when the grid feels impossible. Sometimes a single revealed word unlocks the entire board.

Tips to become a NYT Strands pro

  1. Start with obvious words. Look for clear connections to the theme first.
  2. Scan diagonals early. Strands loves to hide words at an angle.
  3. Build around found words. Once one word is cleared, the leftover letters often point to the next.
  4. Use hints wisely. Earn them steadily by spotting extra words, then save them for when you’re truly stuck.
  5. Think about synonyms. The theme clue isn’t always literal — broaden your thinking.

Did you manage to solve it all?

Today's puzzle is straightforward once you think of the right activity. Start by looking for words related to safety equipment — once you find one (like helmet or harness), the rest of the words fall into place. Then, trace out the long connecting word to reveal the spangram.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a brand-new theme and puzzle — and let us know in the comments which word took you the longest to find