I tackled today’s Strands with my morning coffee, just as the toast popped up and broke my concentration. The clue, "Please, be my guest!", sounds wonderfully polite, but I wasn’t sure at first whether to take it literally or listen for a more familiar turn of phrase. That little uncertainty made the first few minutes rather enjoyable.
My best progress came once I stopped trying to make the clue more complicated than it needed to be. If you’re staring at the grid with your own cup going cold, give yourself a moment to consider the everyday situation behind those words. There’s a pleasingly coherent idea waiting to emerge.
This page covers NYT Strands #1161 for Monday, October 26, 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 Monday, October 26, 2026 is "Please, be my guest!". There are 6 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 H.
- The shortest theme word has 4 letters, the longest has 9.
- The theme words start with these letters: E, H, I, M, R, W.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| E | 9 letters | En... |
| H | 4 letters | Ho... |
| I | 6 letters | In... |
| M | 4 letters | Me... |
| R | 7 letters | Re... |
| W | 7 letters | We... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1161 is HOSPITALITY.
All NYT Strands answers for October 26, 2026
- ENTERTAIN (9 letters)
- HOST (4 letters)
- INVITE (6 letters)
- MEET (4 letters)
- RECEIVE (7 letters)
- WELCOME (7 letters)
Spangram: HOSPITALITY. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Try reading the clue as something one person says to another, then think about the actions surrounding that exchange rather than physical objects. Keep an eye out for short possibilities as well as longer ones, since a compact word can be surprisingly easy to overlook. Trace each candidate through adjacent letters, including diagonals, and remember that paths can bend sharply. Once you’ve confirmed a word, use its occupied squares to narrow the remaining routes. The spangram must connect opposite edges, so test that requirement before committing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Monday, October 26, 2026, puzzle #1161, is HOSPITALITY. It spans the board from one side to the opposite side.
How many theme words are in today's Strands?
There are 6 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 #1161 for Monday, October 26, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Tracy Bennett.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
