I was halfway through my morning coffee when today's Strands clue, "Well, this is awkward", made me think of waving back at someone who was actually greeting the person behind me. A tiny moment, but somehow one your brain likes to replay just as you're trying to fall asleep. It's a lovely bit of scene setting for a puzzle, even if it does bring back a few memories I'd happily misplace.
My first instinct was to think about uncomfortable situations rather than individual words. If you're staring at the grid with a similar collection of social mishaps in mind, a small shift in perspective might help.
This page covers NYT Strands #1147 for Tuesday, October 13, 2026. You will find the theme clue, a spoiler free hint, a stronger hint, the spangram and every theme word, in that order. Scroll slowly and stop where you like.
Today's Strands theme
The official clue for Tuesday, October 13, 2026 is "Well, this is awkward". There are 5 theme words to find plus the spangram, which always touches two opposite sides of the board.
Spoiler free hints
- The spangram has 12 letters and begins with the letter C.
- The shortest theme word has 6 letters, the longest has 9.
- The theme words start with these letters: A, C, E, M, N.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| A | 6 letters | Ap... |
| C | 7 letters | Ch... |
| E | 9 letters | Em... |
| M | 7 letters | Mo... |
| N | 7 letters | No... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1147 is CRINGEWORTHY.
All NYT Strands answers for October 13, 2026
- APPALL (6 letters)
- CHAGRIN (7 letters)
- EMBARRASS (9 letters)
- MORTIFY (7 letters)
- NONPLUS (7 letters)
Spangram: CRINGEWORTHY. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Try shifting from awkward situations to what those situations can do to someone. That gives you a more focused set of possibilities to test against the letters. Look for familiar verb endings, then trace backwards as well as forwards, remembering that paths can turn diagonally. Before committing to a candidate, check that every letter touches the next without reusing a square. If you find a theme word, use its cleared path to inspect newly exposed pockets. Save the spanning connection until the shared idea feels clearer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, puzzle #1147, is CRINGEWORTHY. It spans the board from one side to the opposite side.
How many theme words are in today's Strands?
There are 5 theme words today, plus the spangram.
How do you earn hints in Strands?
Find any valid non theme word of at least four letters. Every three of those unlocks one hint, which highlights the letters of a theme word without ordering them for you.
What time does a new Strands puzzle appear?
A new puzzle goes live at midnight in your local time zone, so this page is updated every morning with the new board.
Sources
- NYT Games, Strands puzzle #1147 for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Tracy Bennett.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
