Today’s NYT Strands for 6 December 2025 brought a fantasy-filled challenge. If you’re looking for quick guidance on how to solve it, this page collects hints and the complete solution—without spoiling anything too early.

6 December 2025 NYT Strands Theme: “Tolkien's World”

Today’s theme led solvers straight into the realms of classic fantasy, drawing on iconic elements from J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. The puzzle felt warm and welcoming to fans, using recognizable places and beings while weaving them through a grid that gave off a distinctly adventurous vibe. The spangram was a satisfying anchor tying the entire world together.

6 December 2025 NYT Strands: Hints

  • Think of famous peoples and places that shaped one of fantasy’s most influential universes.
  • Look for characters or groups that often embark on long journeys together.
  • The grid hides both locations and inhabitants from this mythical setting.
  • Expect at least one word connected to magic or mentorship.
  • The spangram ties the entire realm together—look for a long phrase spanning big sections of the board.

6 December 2025 NYT Strands: Answers

  • Hobbit
  • Dwarf
  • Quest
  • Shire
  • Forest
  • Wizard

Spangram

Middle Earth
A long, central phrase that unites all the hidden words by placing them in the same legendary realm Tolkien created—home to quests, creatures, landscapes, and unforgettable adventures.

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.

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. Clearing one often reveals patterns for the next.
  4. Use hints wisely. Earn them by spotting bonus words, and save them for tough moments.
  5. Think about synonyms—the puzzle sometimes uses indirect or symbolic clues.

Final Thoughts

This was a delightful, moderate-difficulty puzzle—especially satisfying for fantasy lovers. The theme offered a fun walk through Tolkien’s universe without being overly tricky. How many of these words did you uncover before checking the answers?