NYT Strands Hints and Answers for January 9, 2026 (#677)
Spoiler-safe hints for the NYT Strands puzzle of January 9, 2026: the theme clue first, then first letters, word lengths, the spangram, and the full grid.
Stuck on the Strands puzzle of January 9, 2026? Start with the theme, take one rung at a time, and stop as soon as the grid opens up. Nothing below is revealed until you tap it.
Hints for January 9, 2026, one rung at a time
ThemeToday’s theme
For cubs fans
Today’s theme is “For cubs fans”. All 6 theme words fit that idea — and the spangram names it outright.
Hint 2First letters
The theme words begin with B, B, G, P, P, S. Several share a starting letter (B, P).
Hint 3Word lengths
By length, the answers run 5, 5, 5, 5, 7 and 10. The shortest is 5 letters, the longest 10.
SpangramThe spangram
BEARSINMIND
11 letters, a single word, running from one edge of the grid to the opposite edge.
Starts with B, ends with D.
AnswersAll theme words
- BLACK5 letters
- BROWN5 letters
- PANDA5 letters
- POLAR5 letters
- GRIZZLY7 letters
- SPECTACLED10 letters
BoardThe completed grid
Theme wordSpangramEach line follows one word; the small number is that letter’s place in it.