Move over, Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times’s recent game, “Strands,” is becoming more and more popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.
With daily themes and “spangrams” to discover, this is the latest addicting game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.
We’ll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today’s spangram and all of the answers for Strands #502 on Friday, July 18.
Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours
How To Play Strands
The New York Times
According to the New York Times, here’s exactly how to play Strands:
Find theme words to fill the board.
- Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
- Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double tap the last letter to submit.
- Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.
Find the “spangram.”
- The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
- The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
- An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.
Need a hint?
- Find non-theme words to get hints.
- For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
- Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word’s letter order.
Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night
What Is Today’s Strands Hint for the Theme: “Abracadabra!”?
Today’s Strands game deals with things you’d see at a magic show.
What Are Today’s NYT Strands Hints?
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
In today’s puzzle, there are six theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:
- ES
- LE
- MU
- DI
- TR
- IT (SPANGRAM)
NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?
Today’s spangram is mostly vertical.
Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle
NYT Strands Spangram Answer Today
Today’s spangram answer on Friday, July 18, 2025, is ITSMAGIC.
What Are Today’s NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Friday, July 18?
- ESCAPE
- LEVITATE
- MULTIPLY
- DISAPPEAR
- TRANSFORM
- SPANGRAM: ITSMAGIC
