I had my first look at today's Strands with a mug of coffee warming my hands and a slice of toast getting steadily colder beside me. The clue, "Day and night shift", sent me in a couple of directions before I had even traced a word. That's often my favourite sort of start: enough to get the imagination going, but not enough to make the grid feel obvious.
If you're joining me over breakfast or squeezing in a solve on the train, give yourself a moment with that wording. I'm trying not to marry my first interpretation too quickly today. A little curiosity feels more useful than speed.
This page covers NYT Strands #1123 for Tuesday, September 22, 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, September 22, 2026 is "Day and night shift". There are 4 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 F.
- The shortest theme word has 6 letters, the longest has 11.
- The theme words start with these letters: C, P, S, T.
A stronger hint for each word
| Starts with | Length | First two letters |
|---|---|---|
| C | 10 letters | Ch... |
| P | 11 letters | Pr... |
| S | 6 letters | Sw... |
| T | 10 letters | Tr... |
Today's spangram
Last chance to look away. The spangram for Strands #1123 is FALLEQUINOX.
All NYT Strands answers for September 22, 2026
- CHANGEOVER (10 letters)
- PROGRESSION (11 letters)
- SWITCH (6 letters)
- TRANSITION (10 letters)
Spangram: FALLEQUINOX. That is the full board solved.
How to get better at Strands
Try reading the clue both as a phrase about working hours and as a description of something happening. If one reading produces no promising letter paths, test the other rather than forcing it. Look for familiar word endings, then trace backwards to see whether a longer word takes shape. Letters can connect diagonally, and a path can bend several times. Once you've found a theme word, use its meaning to narrow your search. Save the spangram hunt until you have a clearer sense of what links the answers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the spangram in Strands today?
The spangram for Tuesday, September 22, 2026, puzzle #1123, is FALLEQUINOX. It spans the board from one side to the opposite side.
How many theme words are in today's Strands?
There are 4 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 #1123 for Tuesday, September 22, 2026, edited by Tracy Bennett, constructed by Tracy Bennett.
- The New York Times, how to play Strands.
