See its meaning, Wordle status and opener stats.
A little help. Your own aha.
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
This reference always shows February 16, 2026. It is released in at least one timezone; every answer stays closed until you reveal it.
Pick a colour. Reveal one step at a time.
Straightforward
Look for four entries beginning with H, L, R and S. These initials are in sorted order.
HOOT belongs in this group.
KNEE-SLAPPER
A little trickier
Try saying these aloud instead of looking at their spelling.
DO belongs in this group.
HOMOPHONES
These entries are pronounced alike despite their different spellings.
More challenging
Look for four entries beginning with B, C, C and S. These initials are in sorted order.
BUCK belongs in this group.
SOUNDS A CHICKEN MAKES
Wordplay & surprises
Look for four entries beginning with F, F, F and F. These initials are in sorted order.
FAWN belongs in this group.
STRESS RESPONSES
All four categories and their words, together.
Yellow
HOOT · LAUGH · RIOT · SCREAM
Green
DO · DOE · DOH · DOUGH
Blue
BUCK · CACKLE · CLUCK · SQUAWK
Purple
FAWN · FIGHT · FLIGHT · FREEZE
The date and puzzle number identify this exact board. Use the individual group controls to compare its recorded categories and words, then return to the archive to find another puzzle.
Categories and answers follow the recorded NYT puzzle. Our hints are independent: some are original category clues, while others give the first letters of the four words. Each hint is labelled so you can choose how much help to take.
Group colours follow the puzzle’s yellow, green, blue and purple order, from the most straightforward to the trickiest. Your own experience may differ. The reference tiles may appear in a different order from your game. Picture puzzles have separately hidden descriptions, since a description can give away the wordplay.
The daily page starts with the UTC puzzle date and, with JavaScript enabled, checks the puzzle for your local time zone. Every reveal starts closed when the date changes. Play Connections at The New York Times or contact us about a correction.
