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 30 December 2025, the theme “If you ask me …” focused on how we express personal views, with several related words and a spangram that neatly tied the whole idea together.

30 December 2025 NYT Strands Theme: “2025 Top Twenty”

Today’s theme pointed clearly toward popular culture, specifically chart-topping music. The puzzle felt approachable thanks to recognizable word choices, but the longer letter paths and overlapping words added a mild challenge. The spangram was fairly long, making it easier to spot once a few theme words were already cleared.

27 December 2025 NYT Strands: Hints

  • Think about popular songs you’ve likely heard everywhere this year.
  • Several answers are single-word song titles rather than phrases.
  • Look for modern pop influences rather than older classics.
  • Some words may run diagonally across the grid.
  • The spangram ties all the answers together as a shared category in music.

27 December 2025 NYT Strands: Answers

  • Daisies (a hit song title)
  • Golden (another chart favorite)
  • Abracadabra (a playful, catchy track name)
  • Ordinary (a widely streamed pop song)
  • Manchild (a title that stands out thematically)

Spangram

Hitsongs
The spangram connects all the answers by grouping them as popular hit songs, reflecting the most recognizable and frequently played tracks associated with the puzzle’s theme.

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 30 December 2025 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!