If you’re into the daily NYT Strands puzzle, today’s grid is a fun one. It leans hard into snack time, with a theme that’s easy to relate to but still sneaky in how the words twist through the board.
11 February 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “Crack and snack”
Today’s theme is all about crunchy treats you might find in a snack bowl or baking recipe. Once you realize the puzzle is focused on nuts, the answers fall into place—though several are tucked away with bends and diagonals that can be easy to miss at first glance. A couple of the longer varieties share letters, so spotting one often helps unlock the next.
11 February 2026 NYT Strands Hints
If you want a nudge without fully spoiling the grid, try these clues first:
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Think of edible nuts that are often roasted, salted, or used in desserts.
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Many of today’s answers show up in trail mix or holiday gift tins.
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Look for nuts commonly used as toppings on ice cream, cakes, or pastries.
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Do not search only in straight lines — several answers bend or run diagonally.
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The spangram is a short phrase that sums up what you might say to someone who really loves nuts.
11 February 2026 NYT Strands Answers
Here are all of today’s theme words, in case you need to check your work or unstick yourself:
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Pecan (a rich, buttery nut that stars in classic pies)
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Almond (a versatile nut used in snacks, milk, and marzipan)
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Pistachio (green, distinctive, and perfect for ice cream and snacking)
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Cashew (creamy and curved, great in stir-fries and nut mixes)
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Filbert (another name for hazelnut, often used in chocolate spreads)
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Macadamia (luxuriously rich nuts you’ll see in white chocolate cookies)
Once you have all six, the remaining connecting phrase should jump out.
Spangram
Go Nuts
The spangram ties the whole puzzle together: it’s an upbeat phrase that captures the idea of going all-in on these crunchy snacks. Every theme word is a type of nut you might reach for when you decide to “go nuts” on treats, whether in baking, candy, or a simple bowl of mixed nuts.
How Strands works
If you’re new to the game, Strands is a daily, theme-based word search with a twist:
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Each puzzle gives you a theme clue at the top.
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The grid is filled with hidden words related to that theme.
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Words can move in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, and they can turn corners.
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Your goal is to uncover all the theme words plus the spangram, which usually spans across the grid and captures the main idea.
Most days you’ll see around 6–8 theme words, plus that one unifying phrase.
How to get and use hints
Strands has a built-in hint system that rewards careful scanning:
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To earn a hint, find any non-theme word of at least four letters in the grid.
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Each valid extra word you submit gives you one hint.
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When you spend a hint, the game automatically reveals one undiscovered theme word on the board.
Use hints thoughtfully. They’re especially handy when you have the theme but can’t think of the last one or two words. A single revealed nut today could easily point you toward its neighbors.
Tips to become a NYT Strands pro
Want to sharpen your solving skills for future puzzles? Keep these strategies in mind:
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Anchor yourself in the theme. For a clue like “Crack and snack,” immediately brainstorm obvious related words (nuts, shells, snacks, etc.) before scanning the grid.
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Sweep for short, obvious pieces. Look for common nut endings or chunks like “NUT,” “AL,” “PIST,” or “MAC” that might grow into full words.
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Check diagonals and bends early. Strands loves weaving longer words around corners, especially when several share letters.
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Use found words as scaffolding. Once one nut is cleared, examine the letters that touch its path; the puzzle often chains related words together.
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Bank hints before you’re stuck. While casually scanning the board, pick out a few extra four-letter words so hints are ready when the grid tightens up.
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Think about variations and alternate names. Today’s “Filbert,” for example, might come to mind faster if you think “hazelnut” first, then recall its other name.
Final thoughts
The February 11 Strands puzzle lands in the easy-to-moderate zone. The theme is clear and accessible—most people recognize these nuts on sight—but the mix of diagonals and shared letters keeps it from feeling trivial. Once “Go Nuts” clicks as the spangram, the entire board feels especially cohesive and playful.
Whether you cruised through it or needed a hint or two, today’s grid is a satisfying snack-sized challenge. Ready for tomorrow’s theme?
