At a Glance
- NYT Strands puzzle for January 28, 2026 centers on a Zen theme.
- Players find hidden words to unlock theme clues, then solve a spangram.
- The spangram for today is MINDFULNESS, spanning the entire grid.
- Why it matters: The puzzle offers a daily mental break and a structured way to practice focus.
The New York Times Strands puzzle is a daily word-search challenge that blends classic crossword logic with a themed twist. For January 28, 2026, the theme is Zen state, and the puzzle invites players to find words that help them mellow out. Below is a step-by-step guide to solving today’s puzzle, including the hidden words, the spangram, and the clues that unlock the theme.
How Strands Works
Strands is built around a grid of letters. Unlike a traditional crossword, the words are hidden horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The goal is to find words that fit a specific theme. Each time a player uncovers three words of four letters or more, the puzzle reveals one of the theme words. When all theme words are discovered, the puzzle is considered solved.
The process is:
- Scan the grid for any word that makes sense.
- Mark the word and keep a tally.
- After three qualifying words, a theme hint appears.
- Continue searching until all theme words are found.
## Today’s Theme and Clues
The theme for today’s Strands puzzle is Zen state. The accompanying clue is Mellow out. This phrase hints at calm, relaxation, and mindful breathing-common elements in many Zen practices.
Clue Words to Unlock In-Game Hints
The puzzle designer provided a list of words that can be used to unlock the theme hints. Any four-letter or longer word that appears in the grid will trigger a hint. The original list includes:
- COIL, COIF, COIFS, MATE, TAME, TAMED, CONE, CODE, NEST, NETS, LENS, TIED, DIET, MIND
Players can find these words in various orientations. For example, COIL may run horizontally, while MIND could be diagonal. The key is to spot them quickly, as the more words you find, the sooner you unlock the theme.
Unlocking Hints
Once a player discovers three qualifying words, the puzzle displays one of the theme words. The theme words are the final answers that tie the puzzle together. For today’s puzzle, the non-spangram theme words are:
| Theme Word |
|---|
| FOCUS |
| RELAX |
| LISTEN |
| NOTICE |
| BREATHE |
| MEDITATE |
Each of these words appears somewhere in the grid. They are the building blocks that help you understand the Zen state theme. The puzzle’s design ensures that every letter in the grid is used once all theme words are found.
The Spangram
A spangram is a word that stretches from one side of the grid to the other, weaving through the puzzle like a thread. For today’s puzzle, the spangram is MINDFULNESS. It is a single, continuous path that connects all the letters of the word.
Finding the Spangram
To locate the spangram, start at the M that sits at the top left corner of the grid. From there:
- Wind down through the grid, following the letters that spell MINDFULNESS.
- Once you reach the bottom of the column, over to the next column if necessary.
- Finally, up to complete the word.
The path may twist and turn, but the letters will always line up in the correct order. Spotting the spangram is the final challenge and the moment of triumph for the puzzle solver.
Key Takeaways
- Theme: Zen state with the clue Mellow out.
- Non-spangram answers: FOCUS, RELAX, LISTEN, NOTICE, BREATHE, MEDITATE.
- Spangram: MINDFULNESS, spanning the entire grid.
- Hint unlocking: Find any three words of four letters or more from the provided list to reveal a theme word.
By following these steps, players can enjoy a calm, focused experience while solving a puzzle that encourages mindfulness and attention to detail.
For daily hints and answers, you can visit News Of Los Angeles‘s NYT puzzle hints page, where you’ll find additional guidance and a quick reference for each day’s challenge.
