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 06 January 2026, the theme “Look Up!” focused on how we express personal views, with several related words and a spangram that neatly tied the whole idea together.

06 January 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “Look up!”

Today’s theme leaned heavily into objects and sights you’d naturally find above your head. The puzzle felt intuitive and visual, with everyday sky-bound items making the word hunt approachable. The spangram was fairly long but clear once the theme clicked, helping anchor the rest of the grid.

06 January 2026 NYT Strands: Hints

  • Think about things you might see when you tilt your head toward the sky.
  • Look for a mix of recreational, technological, and travel-related objects.
  • Some words are short and common, making them good starting points.
  • Expect both modern and classic airborne items.
  • Spangram ties the list together by describing what all these things have in common.

06 January 2026 NYT Strands: Answers

  • Bird (a natural flyer)
  • Kite (often flown for fun)
  • Drone (a modern airborne device)
  • Rocket (designed for space travel)
  • Balloon (floats high above the ground)
  • Airplane (used for long-distance travel)

Spangram

Defying Gravity
This spangram captures the shared idea behind every answer: each object or creature rises into the air, overcoming gravity in its own unique way.

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 06 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!