At a Glance
- Today’s NYT Strands theme is “DC crusader” and the spangram is BATMAN.
- Players must uncover themed words like JOKER, ROBIN, and CAPE to complete the grid.
- Every letter on the board is used once all answers, including the spangram, are found.
- Why it matters: These quick tips can shave minutes off your daily puzzle time.
Strands fans who love Gotham’s caped hero will breeze through today’s grid once they spot the theme. The puzzle, released on January 16, 2026, centers on Bruce Wayne and his allies and enemies.
How the Hint System Works
Stuck? Hunt for any four-letter words first. Each time you submit three valid words of four letters or more, the game lights up one of the hidden theme answers. The words RATE, BATE, PEEVE, NAME, PEEK, PEAK, PEER, JOKE, SUIT, and JUST all unlocked hints during testing.
All Answers for January 16, 2026
The completed board contains:
- JOKER
- ROBIN
- CAPE
- PENGUIN
- MANOR
- VENGEANCE
- JUSTICE
The spangram BATMAN stretches from the far-left column, starting with the B four letters down, and snakes across the grid to the opposite edge.
Three Pro Tips from News Of Losangeles‘s Testing
- Tweak existing words – Add an “S” to turn CAPE into CAPES or shift letters to make BILL from WILL.
- Spot patterns – Once you uncover ROBIN, scan nearby letters for BAT or MAN.
- Force the reveal – If you can see the letters of a theme word but can’t unscramble it, enter three more clue words; the game will highlight each letter in order.
Players who finish every answer will see every tile on the board disappear, confirming the puzzle is complete. For daily help with Strands, Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections, and Connections: Sports Edition, visit News Of Losangeles‘s puzzle hints page.
