I took my first look at today’s Strands with a mug of coffee beside me and a piece of toast cooling rather faster than intended. The clue, "Something to build on", sounds reassuringly straightforward, but I found it worth sitting with for a moment before chasing the first promising run of letters. There’s a little more room for interpretation here than you might initially expect.
If you’re joining me over breakfast or squeezing in a solve on the train, give yourself permission to start slowly. I like a puzzle that makes me reconsider an ordinary phrase, and this is a good morning to keep a couple of possible meanings in mind.
This page covers NYT Strands #1160 for Sunday, October 25, 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 25, 2026 is "Something to build on". There are 4 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 F.
- The shortest theme word has 8 letters, the longest has 11.
- The theme words start with these letters: F, S, S, S.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| F | 9 letters | Fr... |
| S | 11 letters | Sc... |
| S | 8 letters | Sk... |
| S | 9 letters | St... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1160 is FOUNDATIONS.
All NYT Strands answers for October 25, 2026
- FRAMEWORK (9 letters)
- SCAFFOLDING (11 letters)
- SKELETON (8 letters)
- STRUCTURE (9 letters)
Spangram: FOUNDATIONS. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Try reading the clue both literally and figuratively before you commit to a particular sort of building. Think about what allows something larger to take shape, rather than the finished result. Once you have a candidate, trace the whole word carefully: letters can connect diagonally, and a long answer may turn several times. Check longer possibilities before settling for a short word that merely earns hint credit. As confirmed answers fill the board, revisit any narrow pockets of unused letters. Their limited connections can make the next starting point much easier to spot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Sunday, October 25, 2026, puzzle #1160, is FOUNDATIONS. It spans the board from one side to the opposite side.
How many theme words are in today's Strands?
There are 4 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 #1160 for Sunday, October 25, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Tracy Bennett.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
