NYT Strands is the daily word-search-style puzzle from the New York Times that challenges you to uncover theme-linked words hidden across a letter grid. On 02 January 2026, the theme “Home is where the hearth is” focused on how we express personal views, with several related words and a spangram that neatly tied the whole idea together.

01 January 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “Home is where the hearth is”

This theme centers on warmth, comfort, and those little things that make home feel safe and relaxing. The puzzle feels especially fitting for winter, with familiar, soothing words that are easy to recognize once the theme clicks. The spangram is pleasantly straightforward and reinforces the cozy mood without being overly long or tricky.

01 January 2026 NYT Strands: Hints

  • Think about things you reach for on a cold evening at home
  • Look for items linked to comfort, relaxation, and warmth
  • Several answers describe soft or cozy experiences rather than objects
  • Expect words you’d associate with lounging indoors
  • The spangram ties everything together around the idea of staying comfortable and warm

01 January 2026 NYT Strands: Answers

  • Robe (a cozy piece of indoor clothing)
  • Cocoa (a warm, comforting drink)
  • Blanket (essential for staying warm)
  • Fireplace (the heart of a warm home)
  • Slippers (comfortable indoor footwear)
  • Cuddles (the ultimate cozy feeling)

Spangram

Stay Warm
The spangram captures the core idea of the puzzle, linking every answer to comfort and heat, and perfectly summarizing the theme of homey warmth and winter relaxation.

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.

Final words

The 02 January 2026 Strands puzzle felt comfortably moderate, with a relatable theme and smart word choices. Once the spangram clicked, everything else fell into place nicely. How many answers did you spot before needing hints?

Come back tomorrow for a fresh grid and theme — and tell us in the comments which word stumped you the most today!