At a Glance
- Theme: Sneak-ing around, with the clue On your feet.
- Key words: four letters or more; collect three to reveal a theme word.
- Spangram: JUSTFORKICKS.
- Why it matters: Solving the puzzle gives a full list of shoe-related words and a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
The New York Times publishes a daily word puzzle called NYT Strands that challenges players to uncover hidden words tied to a theme. The puzzle for Jan. 20, 2026 featured a footwear theme, and this article explains the clues, the complete answer list, and how to locate the spangram.
What is NYT Strands?
NYT Strands is a grid-based word game. Players scan the board for words that fit the daily theme. When a player finds a word that is four letters or more, they can mark it. After three such words are found, the game automatically reveals one of the theme words, helping players progress.
How to Solve the Puzzle
- Identify words that fit the theme and are at least four letters long.
- Mark each word as you find it.
- After marking three words, the puzzle will display a theme word.
- Continue searching until all words are found and the grid is filled.
The theme for today was Sneak-ing around, with the hint On your feet.
Today’s Theme and Clues
The theme words are all related to shoes and their parts. The puzzle provides a list of clues that help players locate the hidden words:
- Clue words that unlock in-game hints include:
- LOGS, SLOG, SLOGS
- HOLE, SLOT
- TAME, TAMES, FAME
- KICK, KICKS
- STAMP, LACE
These words are useful because they are all four letters or more. Finding any of them will trigger a hint about the theme.
Answer List
The puzzle contains both non-spangram answers and a spangram that stretches across the board.
Non-Spangram Answers
| Word |
|---|
| HEEL |
| LOGO |
| SOLE |
| SHOELACE |
| VAMP |
| TONGUE |
| EYELETT |
These seven words are the standard answers that fit the footwear theme. Each appears exactly once in the grid.
Spangram
The spangram is a special word that runs from one side of the puzzle to the other. For Jan. 20, 2026, the spangram is JUSTFORKICKS.
To locate it, start at the J that is farthest left on the top row. Then:
- Move straight down until you reach the bottom.
- Move straight over to the right.
- The letters you encounter spell out the spangram.
When all the answers, including the spangram, are found, every letter on the board will be used, completing the puzzle.
Tips for Future Puzzles
- Look for common shoe terms: heel, sole, lace, etc.
- Use the clue: On your feet indicates that the answers are shoe-related.
- Keep track of word length: Only words four letters or more trigger hints.
- Mark words promptly: The puzzle reveals a theme word after every three found words, so staying organized helps.
Key Takeaways
- The NYT Strands puzzle for Jan. 20, 2026 focused on footwear.
- Players need to find words that are four letters or more to unlock theme words.
- The non-spangram answers are HEEL, LOGO, SOLE, SHOELACE, VAMP, TONGUE, and EYELETT.
- The spangram, JUSTFORKICKS, can be found by starting at the leftmost J on the top row and moving straight down then right.
- Using the provided clues and following the steps above will help solve the puzzle efficiently.
By following these guidelines, players can enjoy the daily challenge and gain a sense of completion when the grid is fully solved.
