Move over, Wordle, Connections, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times’s recent game, “Strands,” is becoming more and more popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.
With daily themes and “spangrams” to discover, this is the latest addicting game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.
We’ll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today’s Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #571 on Thursday, September 25.
Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours
How To Play Strands
According to the New York Times, here’s exactly how to play Strands:
Find theme words to fill the board.
Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.
Find the “spangram.”
The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.
Need a hint?
Find non-theme words to get hints.
For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word’s letter order.
Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night
What Is Today’s Strands Hint for the Theme: “Simply divine“?
A hint for today’s Strands game is: “One might top your Christmas tree”.
What Are Today’s NYT Strands Hints?
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
In today’s puzzle, there are six theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:
HE
AR
SE
ME
GU
HE (SPANGRAM)
NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?
Today’s Spangram is a mix of vertical and horizontal.
Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle
NYT Strands Spangram Answer Today
Today’s Spangram answer on Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Thursday, September 25, 2025, is HEAVENSENT.
What Are Today’s NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Thursday, September 25?
HERALD
ARCHANGEL
SERAPH
MESSENGER
GUARDIAN
SPANGRAM: HEAVENSENT
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About the author
Nathan Hutsenpiller
Food Writer, Parade
Nathan Hutsenpiller is a seasoned NYC-based food and beverage writer and photographer with a passion for discovery and storytelling. Drawing from a background in skateboarding and photo production, he brings a dynamic, visual approach to covering food, hospitality, home, travel, culture and more.
