Connections Hints: Aug 23, 2026

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on Aug 23, 2026 (2026-08-23). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #1253

Puzzle #1253 · 2026-08-23

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 #1253 for 2026-08-23, 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: POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGS, DOUBLE VOWELS, MADE WITH POTATOES 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.

POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGS
DOUBLE VOWELS
MADE WITH POTATOES
HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS

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.

POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGS

POWDER KEG

TIME BOMB

TINDERBOX

VOLCANO

DOUBLE VOWELS

ANTIFREEZE

BAZAAR

SKIING

VACUUM

MADE WITH POTATOES

HOME FRIES

POTATO BATTERY

VISCHYSSOISE

VODKA

HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS

BAKING SODA

CLUB SODA

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

VINEGAR

Reveal full answer

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