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 August 21, 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 N, O, S and W. These initials are in sorted order.
NUTRITION belongs in this group.
THINGS MOST ANIMALS NEED
A little trickier
Look for four entries beginning with A, C, P and S. These initials are in sorted order.
ACTION belongs in this group.
CALLS TO BEGIN A PERFORMANCE
More challenging
Try adding the same ending to each entry.
COMEBACK belongs in this group.
___ KIDS
Each entry comes before "KIDS" to form a word, expression or name: COMEBACK → COMEBACK KIDS; KARATE → KARATE KIDS; SUNDANCE → SUNDANCE KIDS; WIMPY → WIMPY KIDS.
Wordplay & surprises
Try putting the same beginning before each entry.
BLUE MOON belongs in this group.
ONCE IN A ___
Each entry comes after "ONCE IN A" to form a word, expression or name: BLUE MOON → ONCE IN A BLUE MOON; GENERATION → ONCE IN A GENERATION; LIFETIME → ONCE IN A LIFETIME; WHILE → ONCE IN A WHILE.
All four categories and their words, together.
Yellow
NUTRITION · OXYGEN · SLEEP · WATER
Green
ACTION · CURTAIN UP · PLACES · SHOWTIME
Blue
COMEBACK · KARATE · SUNDANCE · WIMPY
Purple
BLUE MOON · GENERATION · LIFETIME · WHILE
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.
