Daily Strands Overview
This guide provides hints, the spangram, and all answers for NYT Strands puzzle No. 962, released on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Today's Theme
Today's Strands puzzle theme is 'On a higher level.'
Daily Hint
A helpful hint for solving today's puzzle is: Put that away.
How to Get Hints
The objective is to discover hidden words that align with the puzzle's theme. If you encounter difficulty, identify any words you can. For every three words of four letters or more that you find, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. Example clue words that can unlock hints include:
Example Clue Words
HUNT, BONK, BONKS, RACE, RACED, BOOK, BOOKS, BOOKER, BOOKERS, HUGE, IRON, STIR, STIRS.
Answers for Today's Strands Puzzle
These are the answers connected to the theme. The goal is to find all of them, including the spangram, which is a theme word spanning from one side of the puzzle to the other. Once all words are found, every letter on the board will be utilized. The non-spangram answers are:
BOXES, TRUNKS, LUGGAGE, YEARBOOKS, DECORATIONS.
Today's Strands Spangram
The spangram for today's Strands puzzle is INTHEATTIC. To locate it, begin with the 'I' three letters down in the far-left column, then navigate up, over, and down.
