Welcome to today's NYT Connections puzzle solution! Below you'll find all the answers, hints, and explanations for the January 9, 2026 puzzle. Each group is color-coded by difficulty level, from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest).
This straightforward category connects words that things that are red.
This moderately easy category connects words that used in metaphors for precarious situations.
This challenging category connects words that musical artists minus starting numbers.
This most difficult category connects words that cardinal directions with first letter changed.
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle where you need to find groups of four words that share something in common. Here are some tips:
Today's puzzle featured these 16 words: 3 BALL, CARDINAL, HEART EMOJI, SOLO CUP, 8 BALL, DEEP END, LIMB, THIN ICE, 6 MAFIA, CHAINZ, DIRECTION, NON BLONDES, COUTH, FORTH, LEST, OAST
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle game by The New York Times. Players must identify four groups of four words that share a common theme. The categories range from straightforward (yellow) to tricky wordplay (purple). Each puzzle has exactly one solution, and you have four mistakes before the game ends.
New puzzles are released daily at midnight ET. Come back tomorrow for the next puzzle solution!