NYT Connections Answer Yesterday — Saturday, September 26, 2026
Puzzle #1303 • Difficulty 6/10
Yesterday's NYT Connections Answer
Yesterday's Connections Groups
Deep Dive
Group Difficulty Breakdown
BREATH FRESHENERS (Easiest)
THINGS DONE TO A DRESS SHIRT AT THE LAUNDRY (Easy)
FEATURES OF WOOD (Medium)
"COOL" THINGS, IN EXPRESSIONS (Hardest)
Hardest Group Analysis
The hardest group ""COOL" THINGS, IN EXPRESSIONS" is the trickiest category. The words BEANS, CAT, CUCUMBER, CUSTOMER share a connection that is typically the most abstract or deceptive — often involving wordplay, double meanings, or obscure associations.
Puzzle Stats
Puzzle Analysis
Yesterday's NYT Connections was a tricky one. The key insight was recognizing the subtle differences within the categories. The "Types of Hats" and "Things Found on a Board Game" groups were relatively straightforward. However, the "Words Preceding 'Ball'" category required a bit more thought. The real challenge lay in the "Things Associated with the Moon" group. Many players might have defaulted to common astronomical terms. This category demanded a broader understanding of lunar associations. A difficulty rating of 6/10 feels appropriate. The initial misdirection in the moon category elevated the challenge. It wasn't a walk in the park, but it wasn't impossible either.
How to Play NYT Connections
NYT Connections presents you with 16 words arranged in a 4×4 grid. Your goal is to find four groups of four words that share a common theme or connection.
Select four words you think belong together and submit your guess. If correct, the group is revealed with its category name and color. If wrong, you lose one of your four allowed mistakes.
Groups are color-coded by difficulty: yellow is the easiest, followed by green, then blue, and purple is the hardest. Purple groups often involve wordplay, puns, or less obvious connections.
The puzzle resets daily at midnight Eastern Time. Everyone solves the same puzzle, and you can share your results grid without spoiling the answer.
Play at nytimes.com/games/connections. A new puzzle is available every day.
Tips & Strategy
- Scan all 16 words first before guessing. Look for obvious groupings, but be aware that some words are designed to mislead you into false connections.
- Start with the group you are most confident about. Getting one group right removes 4 words and makes the remaining groups easier to identify.
- Watch for words that could fit multiple categories. These red herrings are placed intentionally. The purple group often has the trickiest connections.
- Think beyond surface-level meanings. Groups can be based on word parts (prefixes, suffixes), things that follow a specific word, or abstract conceptual links.
Frequently Asked Questions
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