Strands is a simple game where you drag or click your mouse in a grid of letters to create words. There is a different theme every day and any guessed words associated with said theme will be highlighted blue. Theme words fit the board exactly with no overlaps meaning if the background of a letter becomes blue it will no longer be used for any future strand connections. 

Additionally, a “spangram” is located withing the board which describes the puzzles’ theme and touches any two opposite sides of the board at the same time. It may be two words. Once found it will be highlighted in yellow. 

As you guess non-theme words you get progress towards a hint. Once you guess 3 of them, you’ll be able to click the hint button to reveal letters of a theme word. You still have to arrange the order of those letters to form the theme word or alternatively use another hint to reveal the ordering. 

NYTimes official puzzle game