connections game
The Connections game has taken the world by storm since its debut. Created by The New York Times, this daily word puzzle challenges players to link 16 seemingly random words into four clever groups. What starts as a simple matching task quickly turns into a brain-teasing adventure full of twists and “aha” moments.
Millions play the Connections game every day, making it the second-most popular NYT title behind Wordle. In 2025 alone, NYT Games saw over 11.2 billion puzzles solved, with Connections accounting for a huge share. Its appeal lies in the perfect mix of vocabulary, logic, and surprise categories that range from straightforward synonyms to tricky wordplay.
Whether you’re a newbie staring at the grid or a streak-chasing pro, this guide covers everything. Learn the rules, master strategies, avoid pitfalls, and even explore variants. By the end, you’ll solve puzzles faster and share those perfect scores with pride. Dive in and elevate your game today.
What Is the Connections Game?
At its core, the game presents a 4×4 grid of 16 words. Your goal: sort them into four groups of four based on hidden themes. Each group shares a “connection,” revealed only after you select the right quartet.
Gameplay Basics
- Select and Submit: Tap or click four words to guess a group. If correct, they lock in with a color and category name.
- Shuffle Feature: Stuck? Hit shuffle to rearrange the grid for fresh perspective.
- Mistake Limit: You get four mistakes before the puzzle fails. Each wrong guess grays out those words temporarily.
Puzzles drop daily at midnight local time, ensuring a fresh challenge every day. Play free on the web or via the NYT Games app.
A Brief History of the Connections Game
The Connections launched in beta on June 12, 2023, born from an NYT game jam. Editor Wyna Liu crafts each one, drawing from lateral thinking and pop culture.
It exploded in popularity, rivaling Wordle. By 2024, stats and streaks rolled out on September 3. In 2025, a Sports Edition debuted officially on February 9, partnering with The Athletic for themed trivia puzzles.
Today, in 2026, it remains a staple, with archive access for past puzzles and leaderboards fueling competition.
How to Play the Connections Game: Step-by-Step
Ready to jump in? Follow these steps for your first win.
- Access the Puzzle: Visit nytimes.com/games/connections or open the NYT Games app. Log in for stats.
- Scan the Grid: Read all 16 words. Note proper nouns, colors, or numbers—they often signal easy groups.
- Hunt for the Yellow Group: Start with the obvious. Examples: fruits (apple, banana), colors (red, blue).
- Submit a Guess: Drag-select or tap four words. Correct? They vanish with a satisfying animation and category reveal.
- Repeat for Green, Blue, Purple: Each gets harder. Green might be “seen in a kitchen,” blue “movie genres.”
- Use Tools Wisely: Shuffle often. The “i” button shows category hints after some progress.
- Finish Strong: Solve all four without exceeding four mistakes for a win.
Understanding Difficulty Levels
Every game uses four colors:
| Color | Difficulty | Typical Category Style |
| Yellow | Easiest | Straightforward synonyms |
| Green | Easy | Common themes or phrases |
| Blue | Medium | Subtler links, trivia |
| Purple | Hardest | Wordplay, puns, anagrams |
Purple often stumps even pros, with solve rates dipping below 40% on brutal days.
Top Strategies and Tips to Dominate the Connections Game
Winning consistently requires more than luck. These proven tactics from top solvers will sharpen your game.
- Prioritize the Easy Win: Nail yellow first. It clears space and builds momentum. Ignore tempting partial groups.
- Embrace Multiple Meanings: Words like “bat” could mean animal, sports gear, or eyelash curler. Brainstorm associations.
- Shuffle Aggressively: Rearrange every 30 seconds if stuck. Proximity tricks your brain into false links.
- Spot Red Herrings: Designers plant traps—four similar words that don’t connect. Skip them early.
- Think Category Types:
- Synonyms/antonyms
- “___ machine” phrases
- Brand mascots
- Hidden prefixes/suffixes
- Use the Shuffle Pattern: Post-shuffle, scan rows/columns for themes.
- Time Yourself: Aim under 5 minutes for perfects. Practice archives to build speed.
- Collaborate: Discuss with friends sans spoilers. Share grids on social media.
- Track Stats: Monitor win rate and streaks. Adjust based on weak spots like purple solves.
- Stay Current: Categories pull from news, pop culture. Read widely.
Pro tip: For Sports Edition, lean on trivia knowledge—teams, stats, lingo.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Connections Game
Even experts falter. Dodge these:
- Rushing Yellow: Overthinking the easy one wastes guesses.
- Fixating on Traps: Four car brands? Might be “seen on a road” instead.
- Ignoring Shuffle: Staring resets your eyes.
- Forgetting Wordplay: Purple isn’t trivia—it’s puns.
Connections Game Stats and Community Features
Since June 15, 2024, track:
- Win Rate %
- Current/Max Streak
- Perfect Puzzles
- Mistake Histogram
Share grids with emojis showing mistakes. Leaderboards pit you against friends. Reddit’s r/NYTConnections buzzes with discussions.
Exploring Variants and Alternatives to the Connections Game
- Sports Edition: Trivia-heavy, timer optional. NFL themes in fall.
- Unlimited/Archives: Practice past puzzles at connectionsunlimited.org.
- Similar Games: Red Herring, Phrazle, or Only Connect’s Wall.
FAQ
How can I improve at the game?
Practice daily, shuffle often, and study category patterns. Review fails to spot traps.
What’s the hardest Connections ever?
Sub-50% of 2025 toughies, such as #621 (Feb. 21), being solved.
Can I play old Connections games?
Yes, subscribe for full archive access.
Is the Connections game free?
Web version is free with ads; app requires a Games subscription for ad-free.
How many mistakes are in Connections?
Four max. Fifth ends the game.
Does time matter in Connections?
No official timer, but speed chasers aim low for bragging rights.
What’s new in Connections 2026?
Enhanced stats, more variants like potential team-ups.
Conclusion
The Connections game blends smarts, fun, and frustration into daily delight. From its 2023 launch to 2026 dominance, it’s reshaped word puzzles. Master the grid, chase perfects, and join the millions hooked.
Play now at nytimes.com/games/connections! Log in, start your streak, and share your wins. Subscribe for archives and ad-free play—what’s your best score? Challenge accepted?
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