I had barely taken my first sip of coffee when today's Strands clue, "Who ya gonna call?", sent a very familiar film theme running through my head. That felt like a promising start, although I have learnt not to trust the first association my sleepy brain serves up. I left my toast to cool and gave the grid a second look.
This is the sort of puzzle where the wording does a lovely bit of misdirection without being unfair. If your first idea isn't producing anything, try taking the question more literally. A small shift in perspective can make those apparently unhelpful letters feel much more inviting.
This page covers NYT Strands #1174 for Tuesday, October 27, 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 27, 2026 is "Who ya gonna call?". 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 12 letters and begins with the letter E.
- The shortest theme word has 4 letters, the longest has 11.
- The theme words start with these letters: A, C, M, R, T, T.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4 letters | An... |
| C | 11 letters | Co... |
| M | 4 letters | Mi... |
| R | 4 letters | Ra... |
| T | 8 letters | Te... |
| T | 5 letters | Ti... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1174 is EXTERMINATOR.
All NYT Strands answers for October 27, 2026
- ANTS (4 letters)
- COCKROACHES (11 letters)
- MICE (4 letters)
- RATS (4 letters)
- TERMITES (8 letters)
- TICKS (5 letters)
Spangram: EXTERMINATOR. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Start by asking what real-life situation might prompt that question, rather than chasing names or catchphrases from the obvious cultural reference. Once you have a possible category, look for compact words as well as longer, winding ones. Check likely plural endings, but don't assume every answer uses the same pattern. Remember that letters can connect diagonally, and a path can double back without reusing a tile. After finding a word, inspect the newly exposed gaps: narrow pockets often make the next route easier to spot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, puzzle #1174, is EXTERMINATOR. 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 #1174 for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Christina Iverson.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
