Connections Answers, Hints & Groups - Jan 31, 2026
By Wordy Editors | Last edited Jan 31, 2026
Get hints and answers for the Jan 31, 2026 NYT Connections puzzle. Progressive hints to help you solve without spoiling the fun! Find the 4 groups of 4 words that share a common connection.
Puzzle for Saturday, January 31, 2026 • Practice Board
Find the 4 groups of 4 words that share a common connection
0 of 4 groups found • Practice mode (unlimited tries)
Categories
Reveal hints progressively to solve the puzzle yourself! Groups are ordered by difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, Purple (hardest).
Categories
Reveal hints progressively to solve the puzzle yourself! Groups are ordered by difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, Purple (hardest).
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The Ultimate NYT Connections Guide
Master the category-based word puzzle and discover the connections between seemingly unrelated words
What is NYT Connections and How to Play?
Connections is a captivating daily word puzzle from The New York Times where players group 16 words into 4 categories of 4 words each. Created by Wyna Liu, the puzzle challenges you to find common threads between words that may seem unrelated at first glance. The categories range from straightforward to cleverly deceptive, testing both your vocabulary and lateral thinking skills.
Steps for Solving the Puzzle
Identify Categories
Scan all 16 words and look for potential connections. Categories can be anything from synonyms and types of things to wordplay and pop culture references.
Select Four Words
Choose 4 words you believe belong together and submit your guess. If correct, they'll be revealed with their category name and removed from the board.
Work Through Difficulty
Categories are color-coded by difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green (moderate), Blue (hard), and Purple (trickiest). Purple often involves wordplay, homophones, or clever twists.
Game Rules
16 Words Total: Arranged in a 4x4 grid
4 Categories: Each containing exactly 4 words
4 Mistakes Allowed: Game ends after 4 incorrect guesses
One Solution: Each word belongs to exactly one category
No Overlaps: Words won't fit multiple categories
Difficulty Color Guide
Yellow: Straightforward - common categories like types of animals or synonyms
Green: Moderate - requires more thought but still direct connections
Blue: Tricky - less obvious connections or specialized knowledge
Purple: Hardest - wordplay, puns, or very creative connections
Common Category Types
Synonyms: Words with similar meanings (BIG, LARGE, HUGE, MASSIVE)
___ + Word: Words that can follow or precede the same word (FIRE + WORK, FLY, PLACE, POWER)
Homophones: Words that sound like other words when spoken
Pop Culture: Movie titles, song lyrics, or famous quotes missing a word
Word Association: Things found in the same place or context
Technical Terms: Jargon from specific fields or hobbies
Frequently Asked Questions
