I opened today's Strands with my morning coffee, fully intending to finish before the toast popped up. Then I read the clue, "Fast fashion", and found myself wondering whether my first interpretation was a little too obvious. That's often the pleasure of this puzzle: a familiar phrase suddenly feels as though it has a secret second job.
If you've arrived with a promising idea but nothing joining up yet, I'm right there with you. This is a good morning to take a breath, let the coffee cool slightly and give that clue another look. There's room for a playful reading, rather than just the meaning that springs to mind first.
This page covers NYT Strands #1152 for Sunday, October 18, 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 Sunday, October 18, 2026 is "Fast fashion". 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 11 letters and begins with the letter R.
- The shortest theme word has 4 letters, the longest has 10.
- The theme words start with these letters: H, S, S, V, W.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| H | 10 letters | He... |
| S | 8 letters | Sn... |
| S | 10 letters | Su... |
| V | 4 letters | Ve... |
| W | 5 letters | Wa... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1152 is RUNNINGGEAR.
All NYT Strands answers for October 18, 2026
- HEADPHONES (10 letters)
- SNEAKERS (8 letters)
- SUNGLASSES (10 letters)
- VEST (4 letters)
- WATCH (5 letters)
Spangram: RUNNINGGEAR. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Try treating each half of the clue separately, then ask what kind of everyday situation could connect them. Once you have a possible category, test a short word before committing to a longer trail. This board mixes shorter entries with much longer ones, so don't assume every answer needs a sprawling route. Letters can connect diagonally, and paths can bend. After finding a word, look at the spaces it leaves behind: narrow pockets can limit your next options. Keep the spangram's edge-to-edge requirement in mind, but don't force it first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Sunday, October 18, 2026, puzzle #1152, is RUNNINGGEAR. 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 #1152 for Sunday, October 18, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Joanne Song.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
