At a Glance
- The NYT Strands puzzle for January 22, 2026 has a theme of joy and includes the spangram SEVENTHHEAVEN.
- Key answers are BLISS, ECSTASY, ELATION, EUPHORIA, RHAPSODY, and the spangram.
- Clue words like BOLD, BOLDS, CASE, HEAT, LONE, SIEVE, THEN, THEE, HAVE, HAVEN, YODEL, YODELS unlock hidden words.
- Why it matters: Solvers can finish the puzzle faster by using the provided clues and answers.
The NYT Strands puzzle released on January 22, 2026 challenges players to uncover hidden words that fit a joyful theme. The puzzle’s design rewards finding three words of four letters or more, which then reveals a theme word. With the spangram SEVENTHHEAVEN spanning the board, the challenge is to use every letter once.
What is the NYT Strands Puzzle?
Strands is a word-search style game where players find hidden words that fit a given theme. The puzzle is presented as a grid of letters. Players look for words that match the theme and use them to unlock additional theme words.
How Strands Works
- Search for any word of four or more letters.
- Each time three such words are found, a new theme word is revealed.
- Once all theme words are found, the puzzle is complete.
- The spangram is a word that stretches from one side of the grid to the other.
Today’s Puzzle Details
The theme for today’s puzzle is an Ode to joy. A hint is that the answer is “Because I’m happy.” The theme words themselves are:
- BLISS
- ECSTASY
- ELATION
- EUPHORIA
- RHAPSODY
The spangram for the puzzle is SEVENTHHEAVEN. To locate it, start with the S at the very bottom of the far-left vertical column and trace upward.
Key Answers
The non-spangram answers are the five theme words listed above. Solving the puzzle requires finding these words and then using them to unlock the spangram.
| Word | Length |
|---|---|
| BLISS | 5 |
| ECSTASY | 7 |
| ELATION | 7 |
| EUPHORIA | 8 |
| RHAPSODY | 8 |
Spangram Explained
A spangram is a single word that uses every letter on the board. In this puzzle, the spangram SEVENTHHEAVEN spans the entire grid. Players can find it by following the path described earlier.
Common Difficulties
- Spotting hidden words that are not obvious.
- Remembering which words have already been used to unlock theme words.
- Locating the spangram without a clear starting point.
Tips for Future Puzzles
- Use the clue words to find hidden words quickly.
- Keep a running list of found words to avoid repetition.
- Look for patterns in the grid that match the theme.
- When stuck, revisit the clue words and try different combinations.
Key Takeaways
- The NYT Strands puzzle combines word-search skills with a thematic twist.
- The spangram SEVENTHHEAVEN ties the puzzle together by using every letter.
- Using clue words like BOLD, BOLDS, and YODEL can help unlock hidden words faster.
- Remember that the theme is an ode to joy, guiding the selection of theme words.
For daily hints and answers, you can visit the News Of Los Angeles‘s NYT puzzle hints page. The puzzle’s screenshot is provided by News Of Los Angeles.
Add News Of Los Angeles as a preferred Google source to stay updated on future puzzles and tips.
Toughest Strands Puzzles
Some of the toughest topics identified include:
- Dated slang: PHAT
- Marine biology: BALEEN or RIGHT
- Marine creatures: BIGEYE or SKIPJACK
These categories illustrate the variety of knowledge that can be tested in Strands puzzles.
