Play Strands #916
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 #916 hints
Today's official theme is "Informally known as". 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 short, casual nicknames of animals, the kind of clipped names people use in everyday conversation instead of the full formal name.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 8 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of a casual word for any living animal, especially a wild one, and it stretches across the whole board.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: B, C, C, G, H, P, R, R.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 7 letters and runs from left to right.
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Strands #916 in numbers
- Theme words
- 8
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 7 letters
- Longest theme word
- 7 letters
Strands #916 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for September 5, 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)
CROC. It starts in row 8, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
PEKE. It starts in row 2, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
CHIMP. It starts in row 1, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (5 letters)
GATOR. It starts in row 1, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (5 letters)
HIPPO. It starts in row 4, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (5 letters)
RHINO. It starts in row 6, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 7 (6 letters)
BUDGIE. It starts in row 5, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 8 (7 letters)
RATTLER. It starts in row 8, column 6, counting from the top left.
The spangram (7 letters)
CRITTER. It starts in row 4, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: CRITTER
Theme words: BUDGIE, CHIMP, CROC, GATOR, HIPPO, PEKE, RATTLER, RHINO
Each theme word is a shortened, everyday nickname for an animal: BUDGIE for budgerigar, CHIMP for chimpanzee, CROC for crocodile, GATOR for alligator, HIPPO for hippopotamus, PEKE for Pekingese, RATTLER for rattlesnake, and RHINO for rhinoceros. The spangram CRITTER is itself an informal word for a creature, which fits the 'Informally known as' clue perfectly.
What does PEKE mean?
A shortened, casual name for the Pekingese, a small toy dog breed from China with a flat face, long silky coat, and a proud manner. It fits the theme of animals' informal nicknames.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 4 | #915 | To the rescue |
| Sep 3 | #914 | Hike! |
| Sep 2 | #913 | All will be revealed |
| Sep 1 | #912 | Called by your calling |
| Aug 31 | #911 | With a little elbow grease |
| Aug 30 | #910 | Hardly eager |
| Aug 29 | #909 | Now we're cooking! |
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 Sep 5
Strands #916 questions
What was the Strands spangram on September 5, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #916 was CRITTER, for the theme "Informally known as".
What were the Strands theme words on September 5, 2026?
BUDGIE, CHIMP, CROC, GATOR, HIPPO, PEKE, RATTLER, RHINO, plus the spangram CRITTER.
What did the Strands #916 clue mean?
Each theme word is a shortened, everyday nickname for an animal: BUDGIE for budgerigar, CHIMP for chimpanzee, CROC for crocodile, GATOR for alligator, HIPPO for hippopotamus, PEKE for Pekingese, RATTLER for rattlesnake, and RHINO for rhinoceros. The spangram CRITTER is itself an informal word for a creature, which fits the 'Informally known as' clue perfectly.