Play Strands #862
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 #862 hints
Today's official theme is "Just what I needed". 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 adjectives you might use to describe something that feels good and leaves you happy, like a nice meal or a relaxing afternoon.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 4 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
The spangram is a common phrase for when something is exactly right, like landing a dart right in the middle of the target.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: D, E, P, S.
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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 left to right.
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Strands #862 in numbers
- Theme words
- 4
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 11 letters
- Longest theme word
- 10 letters
Strands #862 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for July 13, 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 (8 letters)
PLEASANT. It starts in row 2, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (9 letters)
ENJOYABLE. It starts in row 4, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (10 letters)
DELIGHTFUL. It starts in row 5, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (10 letters)
SATISFYING. It starts in row 7, column 2, counting from the top left.
The spangram (11 letters)
HITSTHESPOT. It starts in row 5, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: HITSTHESPOT
Theme words: DELIGHTFUL, ENJOYABLE, PLEASANT, SATISFYING
When something is just what you needed, you'd probably call it DELIGHTFUL, ENJOYABLE, PLEASANT, or SATISFYING. All of these describe that good feeling, and the spangram HITSTHESPOT is the phrase you'd say when something fills the need perfectly.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 12 | #861 | In the Big Apple |
| 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 13
Strands #862 questions
What was the Strands spangram on July 13, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #862 was HITSTHESPOT, for the theme "Just what I needed".
What were the Strands theme words on July 13, 2026?
DELIGHTFUL, ENJOYABLE, PLEASANT, SATISFYING, plus the spangram HITSTHESPOT.
What did the Strands #862 clue mean?
When something is just what you needed, you'd probably call it DELIGHTFUL, ENJOYABLE, PLEASANT, or SATISFYING. All of these describe that good feeling, and the spangram HITSTHESPOT is the phrase you'd say when something fills the need perfectly.