If you’re hooked on the daily NYT Strands puzzle, you’re not alone. It’s a fresh word game from the New York Times that combines elements of a word search with clever, theme-based twists.
24 January 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “A work of art”
Today’s theme leaned heavily into iconic imagery from classic artworks. The puzzle felt approachable, with recognizable words that sparked visual associations, while the spangram served as a clear conceptual anchor connecting all the pieces together.
24 January 2026 NYT Strands Hints
- Think of world-famous paintings you might see in an art museum.
- Look for words that describe scenes, subjects, or elements in classic art.
- Some answers feel poetic rather than literal.
- The grid favors medium-length words over very short ones today.
- The spangram ties the entire art concept together in one clear phrase.
24 January 2026 NYT Strands Answers
- Night (a common setting in iconic paintings)
- Starry (hinting at swirling skies and celestial scenes)
- Lilies (a classic floral subject in art)
- Water (often central to landscape paintings)
- Party (group scenes and social gatherings)
- Boating (leisurely moments captured on canvas)
Spangram
Famous Painting
The spangram directly names what all the answers point toward, uniting scenes, subjects, and moods commonly found across some of the most recognizable artworks in history.
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
- Start with obvious words. Look for clear connections to the theme first.
- Scan diagonals early. Strands loves to hide words at an angle.
- Build around found words. Once one word is cleared, the leftover letters often point to the next.
- Use hints wisely. Earn them steadily by spotting extra words, then save them for when you’re truly stuck.
- Think about synonyms. The theme clue isn’t always literal — broaden your thinking.
Final thoughts
The 24 January 2026 NYT Strands puzzle landed on the easier side, thanks to its familiar theme and vivid imagery. It was a satisfying, art-inspired solve. How many words did you spot before the spangram clicked?
