Play Strands #861
The same letter grid NYT shows. Drag across touching letters, or tap them one by one and tap the last letter again to check. Theme words turn blue and the spangram turns yellow. Hint outlines one word you haven't found. Nothing is saved, so your real game stays untouched.
Strands #861 hints
Today's official theme is "In the Big Apple". If that alone doesn't help, work down the hints below.
Hints used: 0
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What's the theme in plain words?Gentle hint
Look for everyday things you would see, ride, or eat while walking around the largest city in New York State.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 7 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of the famous skyscraper nickname that also describes the whole state this city sits in, and look for it stretching across the board.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: B, B, B, D, S, S, T.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 11 letters and runs from bottom to top.
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Strands #861 in numbers
- Theme words
- 7
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 11 letters
- Longest theme word
- 7 letters
Strands #861 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for July 12, 2026.
Reveal one word at a time
Only want a foothold? Open one word, find it on the board, then go back and try for the rest. Shorter words come first because they give away the least.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
DELI. It starts in row 3, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
TAXI. It starts in row 4, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
BAGEL. It starts in row 2, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (5 letters)
STOOP. It starts in row 2, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (6 letters)
BODEGA. It starts in row 3, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (6 letters)
SUBWAY. It starts in row 7, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 7 (7 letters)
BOROUGH. It starts in row 8, column 6, counting from the top left.
The spangram (11 letters)
EMPIRESTATE. It starts in row 8, column 3, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: EMPIRESTATE
Theme words: BAGEL, BODEGA, BOROUGH, DELI, STOOP, SUBWAY, TAXI
The clue 'In the Big Apple' points to New York City, and every answer is something you would find there, like a BAGEL, a DELI, a BODEGA, a SUBWAY, a TAXI, a STOOP, or a BOROUGH. The spangram EMPIRESTATE ties it together as the nickname of the state where the Big Apple is located.
What does BODEGA mean?
A small neighborhood corner store, originally Spanish for a wine cellar or storeroom, that sells groceries, snacks, drinks and household basics, often open late and typically with a resident cat. In New York it is an iconic local fixture.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 11 | #860 | Fishy fare |
About Strands
Strands is a daily New York Times word search with a theme. Every letter on the six-by-eight board belongs to an answer, and one answer, the spangram, names the theme and stretches between opposite sides of the board. Past puzzles are a good way to learn how the themed clues are usually worded.
Other puzzles on Jul 12
Strands #861 questions
What was the Strands spangram on July 12, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #861 was EMPIRESTATE, for the theme "In the Big Apple".
What were the Strands theme words on July 12, 2026?
BAGEL, BODEGA, BOROUGH, DELI, STOOP, SUBWAY, TAXI, plus the spangram EMPIRESTATE.
What did the Strands #861 clue mean?
The clue 'In the Big Apple' points to New York City, and every answer is something you would find there, like a BAGEL, a DELI, a BODEGA, a SUBWAY, a TAXI, a STOOP, or a BOROUGH. The spangram EMPIRESTATE ties it together as the nickname of the state where the Big Apple is located.