Connections Hints: Mar 21, 2026

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on Mar 21, 2026 (2026-03-21). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #1098

Puzzle #1098 · 2026-03-21

Step through today’s Connections hints

Start with broad themes, then reveal more detail about the groups and tiles only when you need it. The final button shows today's full group breakdown.

Puzzle reference: Connections #1098 for 2026-03-21, edition main, with a standard four-group board. Spoiler categories and tiles stay collapsed until you open the hint layers below.

Hint 1 – overall theme

There are 4 groups in today’s puzzle.

Themes include: DIRECT, TARGET, CHECKERS TERMS and 1 more.

Hint 2 – group titles

Here are the category names for each group. Try matching the tiles in the official game to these themes before you reveal any tiles.

DIRECT
TARGET
CHECKERS TERMS
20TH CENTURY AMERICAN POETS

Hint 3 – group tiles

Reveal the tiles for each group. If you only want a partial nudge, stop after reading one or two groups and go back to the official puzzle.

DIRECT

BLUNT

FRANK

PLAIN

STRAIGHT

TARGET

GOAL

MARK

OBJECT

POINT

CHECKERS TERMS

CAPTURE

CROWN

JUMP

KING

20TH CENTURY AMERICAN POETS

BISHOP

FROST

POUND

RICH

Reveal full answer

This is the full breakdown of today's Connections puzzle: group titles and all tiles, grouped together.