Play Strands #863
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 #863 hints
Today's official theme is "Make yourself comfortable". If that alone doesn't help, work down the hints below.
Hints used: 0
-
What's the theme in plain words?Gentle hint
Look for things you can sit or rest on, from a squishy floor pouch to a seat fit for a ruler.
Was this hint -
How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 6 theme words plus the spangram.
Was this hint -
A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of a polite thing a host says when you walk in and they want you to settle down, and it spans the whole board.
Was this hint -
How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: B, C, O, R, R, T.
Was this hint -
How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 9 letters and runs from left to right.
Was this hint
Strands #863 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 9 letters
- Longest theme word
- 8 letters
Strands #863 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for July 14, 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 (5 letters)
CHAIR. It starts in row 6, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
ROCKER. It starts in row 6, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (6 letters)
THRONE. It starts in row 1, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (7 letters)
BEANBAG. It starts in row 7, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (7 letters)
OTTOMAN. It starts in row 4, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (8 letters)
RECLINER. It starts in row 1, column 1, counting from the top left.
The spangram (9 letters)
HAVEASEAT. It starts in row 2, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: HAVEASEAT
Theme words: BEANBAG, CHAIR, OTTOMAN, RECLINER, ROCKER, THRONE
The clue 'Make yourself comfortable' is what a host says when inviting you to sit, which is the spangram HAVEASEAT. The theme words are all places to park yourself: BEANBAG, CHAIR, OTTOMAN, RECLINER, ROCKER, and THRONE.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 13 | #862 | Just what I needed |
| 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 14
Strands #863 questions
What was the Strands spangram on July 14, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #863 was HAVEASEAT, for the theme "Make yourself comfortable".
What were the Strands theme words on July 14, 2026?
BEANBAG, CHAIR, OTTOMAN, RECLINER, ROCKER, THRONE, plus the spangram HAVEASEAT.
What did the Strands #863 clue mean?
The clue 'Make yourself comfortable' is what a host says when inviting you to sit, which is the spangram HAVEASEAT. The theme words are all places to park yourself: BEANBAG, CHAIR, OTTOMAN, RECLINER, ROCKER, and THRONE.