Play Strands #959
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 #959 hints
Today's official theme is "Fast fashion". 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 a person might wear or carry along when heading out for a jog, like clothes, shoes, and gadgets.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 5 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of the stuff a person puts on or brings before heading out to jog, and the two words together describe all of it.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: H, S, S, V, W.
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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 top to bottom.
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Strands #959 in numbers
- Theme words
- 5
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 11 letters
- Longest theme word
- 10 letters
Strands #959 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for October 18, 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)
VEST. It starts in row 2, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
WATCH. It starts in row 4, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (8 letters)
SNEAKERS. It starts in row 2, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (10 letters)
HEADPHONES. It starts in row 4, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (10 letters)
SUNGLASSES. It starts in row 4, column 1, counting from the top left.
The spangram (11 letters)
RUNNINGGEAR. It starts in row 1, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: RUNNINGGEAR
Theme words: HEADPHONES, SNEAKERS, SUNGLASSES, VEST, WATCH
The clue 'Fast fashion' is a play on speedy outfits, meaning the clothes and gear you wear when you run fast. HEADPHONES, SNEAKERS, SUNGLASSES, VEST, and WATCH are all items that make up RUNNINGGEAR.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 17 | #958 | Quite the crush |
| Oct 16 | #957 | Just a little bit |
| Oct 15 | #956 | Sailor's guide |
| Oct 14 | #955 | Folk & fairy tale twosomes |
| Oct 13 | #954 | Well, this is awkward |
| Oct 12 | #953 | In a manner of speaking |
| Oct 11 | #952 | They don't make 'em like they used to |
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 Oct 18
Strands #959 questions
What was the Strands spangram on October 18, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #959 was RUNNINGGEAR, for the theme "Fast fashion".
What were the Strands theme words on October 18, 2026?
HEADPHONES, SNEAKERS, SUNGLASSES, VEST, WATCH, plus the spangram RUNNINGGEAR.
What did the Strands #959 clue mean?
The clue 'Fast fashion' is a play on speedy outfits, meaning the clothes and gear you wear when you run fast. HEADPHONES, SNEAKERS, SUNGLASSES, VEST, and WATCH are all items that make up RUNNINGGEAR.