Past puzzleApr 25, 2026Puzzle #957

Strands hints: Apr 25, 2026

Revisit the NYT Strands puzzle from Apr 25, 2026 (2026-04-25) with the theme clue, deeper hints, the spangram, and the solved grid all in one place.

Puzzle #957 · 2026-04-25

Step through today’s Strands hints

Layer 1

Hint 1 – theme clue

Reveal this layer only when you want the next level of help.

On the shopping block

5 theme wordsSpangram 10 lettersMediumCategory List

Layer 2

Hint 2 – board structure

Reveal this layer only when you want the next level of help.

This board is built around 5 themed answers plus a 10-letter spangram that ties the whole set together. Touches the left and right edges.

5 theme wordsSpangram: 10 lettersDifficulty: MediumTheme: Category List

Use this layer when you want the structure of the board without seeing any exact answer paths yet.

Layer 3

Hint 3 – starting letters

Reveal this layer only when you want the next level of help.

Here are the opening letters and broad board regions for each hidden answer, plus the opening letter of the spangram.

Theme word 1

Starts with C • bottom band

Theme word 2

Starts with C • top-left quadrant

Theme word 3

Starts with D • top-right quadrant

Theme word 4

Starts with G • top band

Theme word 5

Starts with L • top-left quadrant

Spangram

Starts with S • Touches the left and right edges

Layer 4

Hint 4 – theme words

Reveal this layer only when you want the next level of help.

Here are the exact theme answers without the board paths yet.

CONVENIENCECORNERDISCOUNTGROCERYLIQUOR

Layer 5

Hint 5 – spangram

Reveal this layer only when you want the next level of help.

STOREFRONT

Path: (6, 1) → (7, 1) → (8, 1) → (8, 2) → (8, 3) → (8, 4) → (8, 5) → (8, 6) → (7, 6) → (6, 6)

Layer 6

Hint 6 – solved grid

Reveal this layer only when you want the next level of help.

Blue cells = theme wordsGold cells = spangram

CONVENIENCE

(6, 3) → (6, 2) → (7, 2) → (7, 3) → (7, 4) → (6, 4) → (7, 5) → (6, 5) → (5, 6) → (5, 5) → (5, 4)

CORNER

(3, 1) → (2, 2) → (1, 3) → (1, 2) → (2, 1) → (1, 1)

DISCOUNT

(3, 5) → (4, 5) → (4, 6) → (3, 6) → (2, 6) → (1, 6) → (1, 5) → (1, 4)

GROCERY

(2, 5) → (2, 4) → (3, 4) → (4, 4) → (4, 3) → (3, 3) → (2, 3)

LIQUOR

(3, 2) → (4, 2) → (5, 3) → (5, 2) → (5, 1) → (4, 1)

Theme clue

On the shopping block

Want another date? Browse the Strands archive. Looking for today's puzzle instead? Go back to the main hints page.