Play Connections #1131
These are the 16 words in the order NYT shows them. Tap four words you think belong together and press Submit. You get four mistakes, and we'll tell you when you are one word away. Nothing is saved, so you can practise without touching your real streak.
Connections #1131 hints
Yellow is usually the easiest group and purple the trickiest. Start with one colour and see if the rest falls into place.
Hints used: 0
-
Yellow group hintGentle hint
These are things you might find lined up on a bathroom shelf for pampering your face.
Was this hint -
Green group hintGentle hint
Each of these names a very dark color you could find on a paint swatch.
Was this hint -
Blue group hintHelpful hint
All of these suggest getting things exactly right with no room for error.
Was this hint -
Purple group hintHelpful hint
Focus on the opening word of each two-word phrase, which is quite small on its own.
Was this hint -
Where's the trap?Strong hint
A popular ingredient in face treatments is also a dark color, which tempts you to mix those two groups.
Was this hint -
The four group namesStrong hint
- SKINCARE PRODUCTS
- SHADES OF BLACK
- ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION
- STARTING WITH TINY MARKS
Was this hint
Difficulty: Medium. Three groups are clear, but the multiword phrases hide a wordplay twist that takes a moment to spot.
Connections #1131 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for July 16, 2026, with why each word fits.
Reveal one group at a time
Each colour opens in three steps: one word from the group, then the group name, then all four words. Stop as soon as you can finish it yourself.
Show one word
CLAY MASK is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is SKINCARE PRODUCTS.
Show all four words
CLAY MASK, EYE CREAM, PEEL, TONER
Show one word
CHARCOAL is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is SHADES OF BLACK.
Show all four words
CHARCOAL, INK, JET, PITCH
Show one word
BULLSEYE is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION.
Show all four words
BULLSEYE, CLOCKWORK, LASER, NEEDLE
Show one word
DOT MATRIX is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is STARTING WITH TINY MARKS.
Show all four words
DOT MATRIX, PERIOD PIECE, POINT BREAK, SPOT REMOVER
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- CLAY MASK: A face treatment that draws out impurities as it dries.
- EYE CREAM: A moisturizer made for the delicate skin under your eyes.
- PEEL: A chemical exfoliating treatment for the face.
- TONER: A liquid applied after cleansing to refresh skin.
- CHARCOAL: A deep gray-black color, like burnt wood.
- INK: Classic dark pigment used for writing.
- JET: A glossy gemstone known for its deep dark color.
- PITCH: Tar-like substance that gives a very dark color.
- BULLSEYE: Hitting the exact center of a target.
- CLOCKWORK: Runs exactly on schedule, with perfect regularity.
- LASER: A tightly focused beam of light, used for exact cutting.
- NEEDLE: A fine tool for exact stitching or injecting.
Purple group explained
- DOT MATRIX: Starts with DOT, a tiny mark; a type of printer.
- PERIOD PIECE: Starts with PERIOD, the mark ending a sentence; a historical drama.
- POINT BREAK: Starts with POINT, a tiny mark; a surfing action movie.
- SPOT REMOVER: Starts with SPOT, a small mark; a stain-fighting cleaner.
What does DOT MATRIX mean?
An older style of printer, or a display, that forms letters and images from many tiny dots, often by pins striking an ink ribbon. It fits the group because it begins with 'dot', a tiny mark.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 15 | #1130 | WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE |
| Jul 14 | #1129 | SYMBOLIZED WITH ARROWS |
| Jul 13 | #1128 | STARTING WITH SMOOCHES |
| Jul 12 | #1127 | STARTS OF U.S. CAPITALS |
| Jul 11 | #1126 | DOUBLE LETTERS APPEARING IN THAT LETTER'S ALPHABETICAL POSITION |
About Connections
Connections is a daily New York Times puzzle where you sort 16 words into four groups of four. Groups are colour-coded from yellow, the most direct, to purple, which usually relies on wordplay. You can make four mistakes. Looking back at past puzzles is one of the best ways to learn the kinds of tricks the editors like to use.
Other puzzles on Jul 16
Connections #1131 questions
What were the Connections answers on July 16, 2026?
SKINCARE PRODUCTS: CLAY MASK, EYE CREAM, PEEL, TONER. SHADES OF BLACK: CHARCOAL, INK, JET, PITCH. ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION: BULLSEYE, CLOCKWORK, LASER, NEEDLE. STARTING WITH TINY MARKS: DOT MATRIX, PERIOD PIECE, POINT BREAK, SPOT REMOVER.
What was the purple group in Connections #1131?
STARTING WITH TINY MARKS: DOT MATRIX, PERIOD PIECE, POINT BREAK, SPOT REMOVER.
What made Connections #1131 tricky?
A popular ingredient in face treatments is also a dark color, which tempts you to mix those two groups.