Strands Hint

Spoiler-safe daily page

Strands Hint & Answer

February 17, 2026

Reveal only what you need: theme first, then spangram help, then individual theme words, and finally the full answer list.

Today's theme hint

Think about: The year of the ...

Spangram today

11 letters · direction unknown

???????????
Show spangram hint

The spangram for today represents the entire system of these twelve symbols; it refers to the celestial cycle often associated with Chinese astrology and fortune-telling.

The spangram has 11 letters and ties the whole theme together.

Show spangram
ZODIACSIGNS

ZODIACSIGNS

Theme word hints

Open one card at a time. Each preview hides the full word until you choose to reveal it.

Word 1: DRA...

DRAGON

Theme word starting with DRA.

Word 2: GOA...

GOAT

Theme word starting with GOA.

Word 3: HOR...

HORSE

Theme word starting with HOR.

Word 4: MON...

MONKEY

Theme word starting with MON.

Word 5: RAB...

RABBIT

Theme word starting with RAB.

Word 6: SNA...

SNAKE

Theme word starting with SNA.

Word 7: TIG...

TIGER

Theme word starting with TIG.

Reveal today's Strands answers

Ready for the complete list? This section keeps the spangram and theme words behind one final reveal.

Show all answers

Theme

The year of the ...

ZODIACSIGNSDRAGONGOATHORSEMONKEYRABBITSNAKETIGER

Today's theme, \

Spangram

11

letters

Theme words

7

to find

Difficulty

medium

Next puzzle in

--

Hours

--

Minutes

--

Seconds

Countdown targets midnight Eastern Time, when the next daily puzzle usually rolls over.

More puzzle helpers

Past Strands answers

View all

How to use today's Strands page

Start with the theme hint if you want a gentle push. If that is not enough, open the spangram hint before revealing the full spangram. Theme-word cards let you unlock one answer at a time instead of spoiling the whole board.

When you are ready to check the complete solution, use the final reveal. The archive keeps earlier published days so you can revisit yesterday's board without digging through old search results.

This site is an independent fan-made helper and is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Frequently asked questions

What is Strands?

Strands is a word puzzle where theme words connect through a letter grid.

How do I use this page?

Start with the theme hint, then reveal the spangram hint, spangram, and answers only when needed.

What is a spangram?

A spangram is the long theme answer that ties the rest of the puzzle together.

Are answers shown immediately?

No. The spangram and full answers are hidden behind reveal controls.

Is this an official puzzle page?

No. Strands Hint is an independent fan-made helper.