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 18, 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 C, C, F and T. These initials are in sorted order.
CRIMP belongs in this group.
RETRO HAIR DIRECTIVES
A little trickier
Look for four entries beginning with B, F, R and W. These initials are in sorted order.
BAD belongs in this group.
RETRO SLANG FOR COOL
More challenging
Look for four entries beginning with B, C, F and L. These initials are in sorted order.
BANTAM belongs in this group.
CHICKEN DESCRIPTORS
Wordplay & surprises
Try adding the same ending to each entry.
HEAVY belongs in this group.
___ CREAM
Each entry comes before "CREAM" to form a word, expression or name: HEAVY → HEAVY CREAM; SHAVING → SHAVING CREAM; SOUR → SOUR CREAM; TOPICAL → TOPICAL CREAM.
All four categories and their words, together.
Yellow
CRIMP · CURL · FEATHER · TEASE
Green
BAD · FLY · RAD · WICKED
Blue
BANTAM · CRESTED · FREE-RANGE · LEGHORN
Purple
HEAVY · SHAVING · SOUR · TOPICAL
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.
