I took one look at today's Strands clue, "OH MY GOSH!!", and nearly put my coffee down before the first sip. Those capital letters and double exclamation marks certainly bring more energy than I usually manage before breakfast. With toast crumbs beside my phone, I settled in for what felt like a suitably dramatic little morning diversion.
My first instinct was to think of things people might say, but this is a puzzle that rewards giving the clue a little breathing room. If your opening idea isn't getting you anywhere, don't cling to it. There is a pleasingly everyday connection here, even if the theatrical punctuation makes it look rather grand.
This page covers NYT Strands #1113 for Monday, September 14, 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, September 14, 2026 is "OH MY GOSH!!". 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 13 letters and begins with the letter T.
- The shortest theme word has 4 letters, the longest has 7.
- The theme words start with these letters: E, F, G, R, S, S.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| E | 7 letters | Ex... |
| F | 6 letters | Fr... |
| G | 4 letters | Ga... |
| R | 6 letters | Re... |
| S | 7 letters | Sh... |
| S | 5 letters | St... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1113 is THATSSHOCKING.
All NYT Strands answers for September 14, 2026
- EXCLAIM (7 letters)
- FREEZE (6 letters)
- GASP (4 letters)
- RECOIL (6 letters)
- SHUDDER (7 letters)
- START (5 letters)
Spangram: THATSSHOCKING. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Think about the situation behind the clue, rather than treating it as a phrase to complete. What might someone do in a moment that prompts those words? Consider both audible and physical responses, then test your ideas against neighbouring letters. Remember that paths can turn diagonally, so a promising sequence needn't continue in a straight line. Once you've found a theme entry, use its meaning to narrow your next search. Save the spanning phrase for when the shared idea becomes clearer, and check the edges for possible connections.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Monday, September 14, 2026, puzzle #1113, is THATSSHOCKING. 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 #1113 for Monday, September 14, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Christina Iverson.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
