I opened today's Strands while my morning coffee was still too hot to drink, which gave me a useful excuse to stare at the grid rather than tackle the washing up. The clue, "Any relation?", sounds like the sort of question you might hear over a crowded lunch table, but I wasn't ready to settle on its meaning straight away.
My first instinct was to look for something obvious, then remind myself that this puzzle enjoys a little verbal sidestep. If you're hovering over the letters without quite knowing where to begin, I'd give that short clue another read. There's room for more than one interpretation before things click.
This page covers NYT Strands #1163 for Thursday, October 22, 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 Thursday, October 22, 2026 is "Any relation?". 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 10 letters and begins with the letter F.
- The shortest theme word has 5 letters, the longest has 9.
- The theme words start with these letters: A, B, B, K, O.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| A | 9 letters | An... |
| B | 5 letters | Bl... |
| B | 8 letters | Br... |
| K | 7 letters | Ki... |
| O | 9 letters | Of... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1163 is FAMILYTIES.
All NYT Strands answers for October 22, 2026
- ANCESTORS (9 letters)
- BLOOD (5 letters)
- BRETHREN (8 letters)
- KINFOLK (7 letters)
- OFFSPRING (9 letters)
Spangram: FAMILYTIES. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Try treating the clue as a question about connections between people, rather than similarities between objects or ideas. Think across different generations and consider both everyday vocabulary and slightly old-fashioned collective terms. Once you have a candidate in mind, check whether its letters actually touch, including diagonally, without reusing a square. Longer words can bend back on themselves, so don't abandon a promising start just because it won't run straight. If you're stuck, finding three valid non-theme words will earn a hint and give you a foothold.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Thursday, October 22, 2026, puzzle #1163, is FAMILYTIES. 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 #1163 for Thursday, October 22, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Tracy Bennett.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
