NYT Connections Hints and Answers for January 4, 2026, #938

Happy Sunday, puzzle pals! I hope you're all bundled up and ready for some brain-teasing fun on this crisp winter day. Speaking of compliments, I got a lovely one from a stranger this morning as I was grabbing my coffee. It really brightened my day, just like how solving today's Connections puzzle is sure to brighten yours.

As you dive into today's puzzle, keep an eye out for those clever connections between the color tiers. Sometimes the answers may seem worlds apart, but a little mental hopscotch can lead you right to the solution. Remember, it's all about finding those hidden links and letting your mind dance across the grid.

So, can you crack the code and uncover the connections waiting for you today? Don't be shy to scan for synonyms and watch out for those sneaky decoys trying to throw you off track. Embrace the challenge, trust your instincts, and enjoy the thrill of piecing it all together. Who knows what delightful surprises and "aha" moments are in store for you today?

Ready to put your puzzle prowess to the test? Let's dive in and unravel the mysteries together! If you need a hint or just want to share your progress, feel free to jump in. The puzzle party is just getting started!

How to Play NYT Connections

Overview

Connections is a daily word puzzle game from The New York Times. The goal is to find groups of four words that share something in common. You’re presented with 16 words arranged in a 4×4 grid, and you must identify four groups of four related words.

Basic Rules

• You have 16 words total, arranged in a 4×4 grid
• There are exactly 4 groups of 4 related words each
• Each word belongs to exactly one group
• You must find all four groups to complete the puzzle
• You have 4 mistakes allowed before the game ends

How to Play

• Look at all 16 words and try to identify patterns or connections
• Select 4 words you think belong together by clicking/tapping them
• Click “Submit” to check if your group is correct
• If correct, those 4 words will be removed and grouped together
• If incorrect, you lose one of your 4 allowed mistakes
• Continue until you find all 4 groups or run out of mistakes

Difficulty Levels

The four groups are color-coded by difficulty:

• 🟨 YELLOW: Easiest – usually straightforward categories
• 🟩 GREEN: Easy-Medium – slightly more complex connections
• 🟦 BLUE: Medium-Hard – trickier associations or wordplay
• 🟪 PURPLE: Hardest – often involves puns, multiple meanings, or very subtle connections

Strategy Tips

• Start with the most obvious connections first
• Be careful of red herrings – words that seem to fit multiple categories
• If you’re unsure, try to eliminate what doesn’t belong first
• The purple group often involves wordplay, homophones, or very creative connections
• Don’t guess randomly – you only have 4 mistakes

Scoring

• Complete the puzzle to see your results
• Mistakes are tracked but don’t affect your final score
• Share your results with friends using the share button
• Results show how many mistakes you made for each group