Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about NYT Connections.
What is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle game from The New York Times where players group 16 words into four categories of four words each. Each group shares a hidden connection that links its words together.
How do I play Connections?
You're given 16 words and need to find four groups of four words that share something in common. Select four words you think belong together and submit your guess. You can make up to four mistakes before the game ends.
What do the colors mean in Connections?
Each category is color-coded by difficulty: Yellow (easiest) - straightforward connections, Green (easy) - slightly tricky, Blue (medium) - often requires specific knowledge, Purple (hardest) - usually involves wordplay or obscure references.
When does the new Connections puzzle come out?
A new Connections puzzle is released every day at midnight Eastern Time (ET). Our site updates automatically shortly after to provide hints for the new puzzle.
How many guesses do I get?
You get four mistakes before the game ends. Each incorrect grouping counts as one mistake. If you make four mistakes, the puzzle reveals all the remaining answers.
Can I play old Connections puzzles?
The official NYT Connections game only shows today's puzzle. However, you can use our Archive section to see hints and answers for past puzzles.
What happens if I get 3 out of 4 words right?
If you select 3 words from one category and 1 from another, the game will tell you that you're 'one away' from a correct answer. This is a helpful hint to adjust your guess.
Is Connections free to play?
Yes, NYT Connections is free to play on the New York Times Games website. You don't need a subscription to access the daily puzzle.
Who created Connections?
Connections was created by Wyna Liu, an associate puzzle editor at The New York Times. It launched in June 2023 and has become one of the most popular NYT games.
Are Connections hints cheating?
That's up to you! Our progressive hints are designed to give you just enough help to solve it yourself. You can reveal as little or as much as you need - from vague clues to full answers.
Why is purple always the hardest?
The purple category is designed to be the trickiest. It often involves wordplay, puns, less common cultural references, or connections that aren't immediately obvious. Saving it for last through elimination can help.
Can words belong to multiple categories?
Each word belongs to exactly one category, but the puzzle is designed with 'red herrings' - words that seem like they could fit multiple categories to make the puzzle more challenging.
Still have questions?
Check out our other helpful resources.