Strands Overview
Here is your NYT Strands hint for today, plus the spangram and all of today’s Strands answers for puzzle No. 959 on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
Today’s Strands theme was tricky. It helps to be a runner. Read on for all the answers.
Puzzle Hint
Today’s Strands theme is Fast fashion.
And here is a hint: Go for a jog.
Clue Words
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you are stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words.
RAKE, WHEN, NER, RUNS, VETS, READ, SLAG, SUNG, SUNS, CHAR
Solutions
These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other.
VEST, WATCH, SNEAKERS, SUNGLASSES, HEADPHONES
Spangram
Today’s Strands spangram is RUNNINGGEAR. To find it, start with the R that is the first letter on the top row, and wind down.
