I nearly let my coffee go cold over Strands this morning, which usually means either the puzzle has got its hooks into me or I have forgotten where I put the mug. Today, it was definitely the former. The clue, "That can't be right", had me thinking about mistakes at first, but that felt a little too broad to be much help.
What I enjoyed was the moment the clue started sounding like something a person might actually say, rather than a problem to fix. If you're still staring at the grid, try giving those words a slightly different tone in your head. That was my way in.
This page covers NYT Strands #1145 for Friday, October 9, 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 Friday, October 9, 2026 is "That can't be right". 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 12 letters and begins with the letter U.
- The shortest theme word has 5 letters, the longest has 10.
- The theme words start with these letters: B, D, H, N, R.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| B | 10 letters | Ba... |
| D | 6 letters | Dr... |
| H | 5 letters | Ho... |
| N | 8 letters | No... |
| R | 7 letters | Ru... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1145 is UNBELIEVABLE.
All NYT Strands answers for October 9, 2026
- BALDERDASH (10 letters)
- DRIVEL (6 letters)
- HOOEY (5 letters)
- NONSENSE (8 letters)
- RUBBISH (7 letters)
Spangram: UNBELIEVABLE. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Think about the reaction expressed by the clue, rather than hunting for things that might be incorrect. Try a few familiar expressions in your head, then check whether their opening letters can connect in the grid. Remember that paths can turn diagonally, and repeated letters need separate squares. If a promising word stalls, retrace it using a different neighbouring letter before abandoning it. Once you find a theme word, look for others with a similar meaning but a different level of formality. Leave the spanning connection until the remaining spaces offer more guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Friday, October 9, 2026, puzzle #1145, is UNBELIEVABLE. 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 #1145 for Friday, October 9, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Sam Corbin.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
