I took my first look at today’s Strands with a coffee that was still too hot to drink, which gave me a handy excuse to stare at the grid for another minute. The clue, "Shake on it", sounds wonderfully straightforward, but I found myself testing a couple of meanings before settling into a promising line of thought.
That’s part of the pleasure of this little morning ritual. A familiar phrase can send you wandering in entirely the wrong direction, then suddenly make sense when you spot the right cluster of letters. If you’re still finding your way in, give yourself a moment before reaching for a hint.
This page covers NYT Strands #1118 for Friday, September 18, 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, September 18, 2026 is "Shake on it". 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 13 letters and begins with the letter L.
- The shortest theme word has 4 letters, the longest has 9.
- The theme words start with these letters: A, C, C, P, T.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| A | 9 letters | Ag... |
| C | 8 letters | Co... |
| C | 8 letters | Co... |
| P | 4 letters | Pa... |
| T | 6 letters | Tr... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1118 is LETSMAKEADEAL.
All NYT Strands answers for September 18, 2026
- AGREEMENT (9 letters)
- CONTRACT (8 letters)
- COVENANT (8 letters)
- PACT (4 letters)
- TREATY (6 letters)
Spangram: LETSMAKEADEAL. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Try reading the clue as something one person might say to another, rather than as an instruction to move an object. Then think about the circumstances in which that gesture would feel appropriate. Scan for familiar word endings as well as beginnings, since several entries draw on quite formal vocabulary. Remember that paths can turn sharply and travel diagonally, so don’t abandon a promising sequence just because it stops running straight. Once you’ve found an entry, use its occupied squares to narrow the possible routes through neighbouring letters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Friday, September 18, 2026, puzzle #1118, is LETSMAKEADEAL. 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 #1118 for Friday, September 18, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Tracy Bennett.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
