Some Strands puzzles want you to think big and bold, but not today. Today’s puzzle keeps things sleek, crisp, and brimming with iconic brands. It’s the kind of puzzle where each word represents something instantly recognizable, a brand that’s left a lasting impression. Ready for a few hints to get you started?

14 Oct 2025

13 Oct 2025

11 Oct 2025

10 Oct 2025

09 Oct 2025

08 Oct 2025

  • PEBBLE – A small, rounded stone, often found on beaches or riverbeds, typically smooth from erosion.
  • STONE – A solid, naturally occurring mineral material, often used in construction or for tools.
  • BOULDER – A large, rounded rock, typically larger than a stone, often found in mountainous regions.
  • ROCK AND ROLL – A genre of popular music known for its energetic rhythm and rebellious spirit, often associated with the 1950s and beyond.
  • DINNER – The main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening.
  • JELLY – A sweet, gel-like food made from fruit juice and sugar, often spread on bread or used in desserts.
  • CRESCENT – A shape resembling a half-moon, or the phase of the moon when it is less than half full.
  • Duck – A waterfowl with a broad bill and webbed feet, often found in freshwater, known for swimming.
  • Hawk – A bird of prey with sharp talons and keen eyesight, famous for hunting and flying at high altitudes.
  • Finch – A small, colorful songbird with a stout bill, commonly found in gardens and forests.
  • Goose – A large waterfowl with a long neck, often migratory, and known for flying in V formations.
  • Warbler – A small, migratory songbird known for its sweet, warbling songs, often found in forests.
  • Thrush – A medium-sized bird known for its melodious songs, commonly found in woodlands and gardens.
  • Fall Migration – The seasonal movement of animals, especially birds, to warmer climates during fall.
  • Wren – A small, energetic bird with a loud, complex song, found in forests and gardens.
    • PEACOCK – The vibrant, multicoloured logo of the streaming platform symbolises a wide array of content and creativity.
    • SHELL – The iconic red and yellow logo of the petroleum giant, representing energy and global reach.
    • BULLSEYE – The well-known target symbol used by the retail chain Target, synonymous with value and shopping convenience.
    • SWOOSH – The simple yet powerful logo of Nike, representing speed, movement, and athleticism.
    • APPLE – The sleek, minimalist apple logo of the tech giant, symbolizing innovation and simplicity.
    • ICONIC LOGOS – The overall theme of today’s Strands, where each solution represents a well-known brand logo.
    • ARCHES – The golden arches of McDonald’s, a symbol of fast food around the world.
  • STEW – A dish made by slow-cooking meat, vegetables, and often beans or potatoes in a liquid, creating a hearty and flavorful meal.
  • GOULASH – A traditional Hungarian dish typically made with meat, onions, and paprika, often served as a thick soup or stew with potatoes or noodles.
  • ONE POT – A cooking method where all ingredients are prepared and cooked in a single pot, making it easy to clean up and ideal for hearty dishes like stews or casseroles.
  • GUMBO – A Louisiana-originated dish that blends a rich, flavorful broth with vegetables, meat or seafood, and often okra, served over rice.
  • RAGOUT – A slow-cooked, thick stew made with meat (often beef or lamb), vegetables, and sometimes wine or broth, offering a deeply savory flavor.
  • JAMBALAYA – A Creole dish from Louisiana that combines rice, vegetables, meat or seafood, and spices in one pot, cooked until the rice absorbs the flavorful broth.
  • CHILI – A spicy stew made with ground meat (usually beef), beans, tomatoes, and chili peppers, often seasoned with various spices for heat and flavor.
  • TAGINE – A North African dish cooked in a special earthenware pot of the same name, usually involving slow-cooked meat, vegetables, and a variety of spices, often served with couscous.
  • Clothes – The essential items of clothing you’ll need for your trip, including outfits for various occasions, weather-appropriate layers, and comfortable footwear.

  • Laptop – A portable computer to keep you connected for work, entertainment, or personal use during your travel or stay.

  • Charger – The necessary power cords and adapters to charge your devices, like your phone, laptop, or other electronics.

  • Pack It Up – A reminder to gather all your essential items into your luggage, ensuring everything needed is packed before departure.

  • Toiletries – Personal care products like toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and other hygiene essentials for daily use.

  • Headphones – Audio accessories for listening to music, podcasts, or other media without disturbing others, and ideal for travel or leisure time.

    • Feedback – A response or reaction to something, often used in audio or performance settings.
    • Midrange – The range of audio frequencies between bass and treble, often used in sound systems.
    • Bass – The low-frequency sounds in audio, often associated with deep tones or beats in music.
    • Soundcheck – A test of audio equipment before a live performance to ensure sound quality.
    • Reverb – A sound effect that creates an echo or reverberation of sound in audio recordings or live sound.
    • Volume – The level of loudness or intensity of sound in audio systems or recordings.
    • Treble – The high-frequency sounds in audio, often associated with sharp or bright tones.

What is Strands?

Strands is The New York Times’ daily word puzzle where you uncover themed words hidden inside a letter grid. Unlike Wordle, Strands challenges you to find multiple related words. There’s also a special “spangram,” a word or phrase that stretches across the grid and captures the puzzle’s theme.

Quick Q&A Hints

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: That’s branding
The words are related to visuals.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe popular brands.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today’s spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

The spangram is Iconic Logos.

Final reveal (last warning: spoilers ahead!)

Here are the confirmed solutions for Strands on October 13, 2025:

  • PEBBLE – A small, rounded stone, often found on beaches or riverbeds, typically smooth from erosion.
  • STONE – A solid, naturally occurring mineral material, often used in construction or for tools.
  • BOULDER – A large, rounded rock, typically larger than a stone, often found in mountainous regions.
  • ROCK AND ROLL – A genre of popular music known for its energetic rhythm and rebellious spirit, often associated with the 1950s and beyond.
  • DINNER – The main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening.
  • JELLY – A sweet, gel-like food made from fruit juice and sugar, often spread on bread or used in desserts.
  • CRESCENT – A shape resembling a half-moon, or the phase of the moon when it is less than half full.

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