Play Strands #870
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 #870 hints
Today's official theme is "Write there". 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 things made of paper that you might scribble a message or note on, or that hold or carry those written messages.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 6 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of the general name for the kind of supplies you would browse for in the office aisle of a store, covering paper goods and writing items.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: C, E, F, L, N, S.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 10 letters and runs from left to right.
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Strands #870 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 10 letters
- Longest theme word
- 10 letters
Strands #870 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for July 21, 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)
CARD. It starts in row 7, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
FILE. It starts in row 7, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
SHEET. It starts in row 7, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (7 letters)
NOTEPAD. It starts in row 5, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (8 letters)
ENVELOPE. It starts in row 1, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (10 letters)
LETTERHEAD. It starts in row 3, column 4, counting from the top left.
The spangram (10 letters)
STATIONERY. It starts in row 4, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: STATIONERY
Theme words: CARD, ENVELOPE, FILE, LETTERHEAD, NOTEPAD, SHEET
The clue 'Write there' points to surfaces and paper items where you put words down, like a CARD, SHEET, NOTEPAD, LETTERHEAD, FILE, or ENVELOPE. All of them fall under the broader category of STATIONERY.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 20 | #869 | Small talk |
| Jul 19 | #868 | Big talk |
| Jul 18 | #867 | A healthy breakfast |
| Jul 17 | #866 | Categorically speaking |
| Jul 16 | #865 | "Rerouting ..." |
| Jul 15 | #864 | Rose-colored glasses |
| Jul 14 | #863 | Make yourself comfortable |
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 21
Strands #870 questions
What was the Strands spangram on July 21, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #870 was STATIONERY, for the theme "Write there".
What were the Strands theme words on July 21, 2026?
CARD, ENVELOPE, FILE, LETTERHEAD, NOTEPAD, SHEET, plus the spangram STATIONERY.
What did the Strands #870 clue mean?
The clue 'Write there' points to surfaces and paper items where you put words down, like a CARD, SHEET, NOTEPAD, LETTERHEAD, FILE, or ENVELOPE. All of them fall under the broader category of STATIONERY.