At a Glance
- The puzzle, NYT Connections #955, was released on January 21, 2026.
- Four groups: items to recycle, bedding, plagiarize, and Batman’s “Bat” things.
- The article was written by Olivia M. Hartwell and published by News Of Los Angeles.
The New York Times’ daily game, NYT Connections, dropped a fresh set of words on January 21, 2026. The puzzle, identified as #955, challenged players to find four distinct themes hidden among a list of seemingly unrelated terms. In this recap, we walk through the hints, reveal the answers, and share tips for tackling future puzzles.
What Is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is part of the Times’ Games section, where players receive a grid of 32 words each day. The goal is to spot four groups of eight words that share a common theme. The game is similar to Wordle in that it offers a quick, daily challenge, and it even includes a bot that scores players’ solutions.
The Times has a Connections Bot that, like the one for Wordle, calculates a numeric score based on accuracy and speed. Registered users can track their progress, see how many puzzles they’ve solved, and compare win rates with friends.
Puzzle Release and Structure
The puzzle released on January 21, 2026 follows the standard format:
- 32 words arranged in a 4-by-8 grid.
- Four hidden themes, each consisting of eight words.
- A set of hints that guide players toward the correct groupings.
The day’s puzzle was labeled #955, indicating it was the 955th puzzle in the series. Players who enjoy wordplay and lateral thinking will find the structure familiar yet fresh.
Group Hints and Answers
The puzzle’s hints are grouped by color, from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple). Below is a table that pairs each hint with its corresponding theme and the eight words that belong.
| Color | Hint | Theme | Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Don’t throw that out! | Items to recycle | bottle, can, cardboard box, newspaper |
| Green | Zzzzz… | Bedding | blanket, sham, sheet, throw |
| Blue | Eyes on your own paper | Plagiarize | copy, crib, lift, pirate |
| Purple | Caped Crusader’s items | Batman’s “Bat” things | cave, mobile, signal, suit |
Each group’s words share a clear connection: the yellow group consists of everyday recyclable items, the green group contains bedding terms, the blue group references ways of copying or stealing content, and the purple group lists objects associated with the superhero Batman.
How to Solve
While the puzzle may seem daunting at first, a systematic approach can make the process smoother:
- Read the hints carefully – they often contain puns or subtle clues that point directly to the theme.
- Scan the grid for obvious matches – words that immediately suggest a category can anchor your thinking.
- Group by elimination – once you identify a few words, you can eliminate possibilities for the remaining groups.
- Use the Connections Bot – after submitting your solution, the bot will confirm correct groupings and provide a score.
Because each theme contains eight words, there are 4, 3, 2, and 1 possibilities for the first, second, third, and fourth groups, respectively. This structure encourages players to solve the puzzle in stages.
Tips for Connections
The article offers several practical tips for those looking to improve their game:
- Say the clue words out loud – pausing before and after each word helps you hear the phrase in context.
- Avoid the obvious grouping – the editors craft puzzles that challenge assumptions, so think beyond the most apparent connections.
- Break down compound words – identifying shared prefixes or suffixes can reveal hidden themes.
These strategies are designed to help players navigate tricky puzzles and avoid common pitfalls.
Author and Publication
Olivia M. Hartwell is a seasoned journalist with a background in pop-culture commentary. The author has co-authored two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedias for Penguin Books and has received multiple headline-writing awards. The piece was published by News Of Los Angeles, a technology and lifestyle media outlet.
Key Takeaways
- NYT Connections provides a daily word-grouping challenge that blends quick thinking with word-play.
- The January 21, 2026 puzzle (#955) featured four themes: recycling items, bedding, plagiarism, and Batman accessories.
- Hints are color-coded, with yellow being the easiest and purple the hardest.
- Solving the puzzle efficiently requires careful reading of hints, systematic grouping, and the use of the Connections Bot.
- The article, written by Olivia M. Hartwell and published by News Of Los Angeles, offers practical tips that can help players sharpen their puzzle-solving skills.
Whether you’re a casual fan or a daily enthusiast, the NYT Connections game continues to offer a fresh linguistic challenge every day.
