NYT Strands Hints and Answers for January 15, 2026 (#683)
Spoiler-safe hints for the NYT Strands puzzle of January 15, 2026: the theme clue first, then first letters, word lengths, the spangram, and the full grid.
Stuck on the Strands puzzle of January 15, 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 15, 2026, one rung at a time
ThemeToday’s theme
The ears have it!
Today’s theme is “The ears have it!”. All 7 theme words fit that idea — and the spangram names it outright.
Hint 2First letters
The theme words begin with A, C, C, D, H, L, S. Two of them start with the same letter (C).
Hint 3Word lengths
By length, the answers run 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7 and 9. The shortest is 4 letters, the longest 9.
SpangramThe spangram
HEARHEAR
8 letters, a single word, running from one edge of the grid to the opposite edge.
Starts with H, ends with R.
AnswersAll theme words
- DRUM4 letters
- LOBE4 letters
- ANVIL5 letters
- CANAL5 letters
- HAMMER6 letters
- STIRRUP7 letters
- CARTILAGE9 letters
BoardThe completed grid
Theme wordSpangramEach line follows one word; the small number is that letter’s place in it.