NYT Connections is a new puzzle game from the New York Times. It’s all about sorting 16 words into four different groups by finding how they’re related. The puzzle starts fresh every night at midnight, and each one is a different level of challenge. Just like Wordle, you can see how many you’ve solved in a row and compete with friends.
Some days are trickier than others. If you’re having a little trouble solving today’s Connections puzzle, check out our tips and hints below. And if you still can’t get it, we’ll tell you today’s answers at the very end.
How to play NYT Connections
In Connections, you’ll see a grid with 16 words. Your job is to group these words into sets of four by finding connections between them. For example, you might group words that are all titles of video game franchises, book series sequels, shades of red, or names of chain restaurants.
There are generally words that seem like they could fit multiple themes, but there’s only one 100% correct answer. You’re able to shuffle the grid of words and rearrange them to help better see the potential connections.
Each group is color-coded. The yellow group is the easiest to figure out, followed by the green, blue, and purple groups.
Pick four words and hit Submit. If you’re correct, the four words will be removed from the grid and the theme connecting them will be revealed. Guess incorrectly and it’ll count as a mistake. You only have four mistakes available until the game ends.
Connections words on Wednesday, April 17
For reference, here are the 16 Connections words for today:
| Dirt | Mind | Share | Regard |
| Post | Intelligence | Follow | Stake |
| Observe | Interest | Column | Secrets |
| Pole | Information | Percentage | Pillar |
NYT Connections hint for April 17
Here’s a hint for each of the word groups in today’s Connections puzzle, plus a couple more clues to help you find the answer:
Yellow (Easiest): Think of foundations that hold things.
Green (Easy): If you always read the instructions, what are you doing?
Blue (Medium): Banking and stock market words.
Purple (Hardest): Secret agents go to great lengths to get this kind of information.
Extra hint 1: “Mind” and “regard” are in the same group.
Extra hint 2: “Dirt” here does not refer to soil.
Hints for today’s NYT Connections
We can help you solve today’s Connection by telling you the four themes. If you need more assistance, we’ll also give you one word from each group below.
Today’s themes
UPRIGHT SUPPORT
HEED, AS RULES
ALLOTMENT
GATHERED BY SPIES
What is the answer to Connections today
Upright Support: COLUMN, PILLAR, POLE, POST
Heed, As Rules: FOLLOW, MIND, OBSERVE, REGARD
Allotment: INTEREST, PERCENTAGE, SHARE, STAKE
Gathered by Spies: DIRT, INFORMATION, INTELLIGENCE, SECRETS
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
