ConnectionsClues

Connections Clues / Solver

A little help, on your terms

Connections
Solver

Select four words you think belong together. We will confirm a match without showing the rest of the board.

  1. 01Choose four words that feel connected.
  2. 02Check the group without revealing the rest.
  3. 03Keep solving at your own pace.

Today’s board

Test a possible group

4 words at a time
Select four words to test a group.

Go at your own pace

Need a gentler hint instead?

Clue vault

Nothing is shown until you choose. Take one small nudge at a time.

0 / 4 opened
01Reveal gentle nudge +
Group 1

When you’re deciding where something ought to go.

Reveal categoryPUT
02Reveal gentle nudge +
Group 2

A tailor might jot these down to make sure your button-down fits just right.

Reveal categoryDRESS SHIRT MEASUREMENTS
03Reveal gentle nudge +
Group 3

Add the same tiny opener, then cue up some turn-of-the-millennium guitar tunes.

Reveal category2000S INDIE ROCK BANDS, WITH "THE"
04Reveal gentle nudge +
Group 4

On the newspaper’s puzzle page, each is just the beginning of a familiar heading.

Reveal categorySTARTS OF NYT PRINT PUZZLES

How the Connections Solver works

This Connections solver is a small confirmation tool for today’s sixteen-word board. It does not guess a category for you or display a list of possible answers. Instead, you choose the four words that you believe belong together, then ask the tool to check that exact group. A match means those four words form one of today’s published categories. A miss simply means that set is not one of the four groups, leaving the rest of the puzzle untouched.

That narrow job is deliberate. Connections is more satisfying when you still get to notice the shared phrase, theme, spelling pattern, or cultural reference yourself. The solver is most useful when you have found a promising near-group and want to know whether it is worth committing to. It provides a clear yes-or-no signal without turning a moment of uncertainty into a complete answer reveal.

Because the checker compares your selection with today’s board, it works best after you have spent a little time studying the cards. Try a few possible links, keep an eye on words that could fit more than one family, and use the tool as a tiebreaker rather than a first move. If you prefer a softer nudge, the spoiler-free clues below offer a direction without confirming a group.

A spoiler-aware routine

Use the Connections Solver step by step

First, scan the full board. Look for pairs that share a setting, a familiar partner word, or a grammatical pattern. Four cards may appear to fit quickly, but Connections regularly includes a tempting card that belongs in a different category. Let the whole board stay in view before you settle on a guess.

Next, select four words. Tap any four cards in the solver panel. The selection state makes it easy to review the set before checking it. You can remove a card by tapping it again, or use Clear selection to reset the panel. Nothing is sent anywhere, and no other groups are disclosed while you are deciding.

Then, check the group. Choose Check these four only when the label you have in mind explains every selected word with the same level of precision. If the group matches, you have earned confirmation without losing the rest of the puzzle. If it does not match, treat that result as useful evidence: one of the words may be a decoy, or the connection may be close but not exact.

Finally, return to the board. A confirmed group reduces the puzzle to twelve words. After a miss, try moving the most ambiguous word into another candidate group. This rhythm keeps the Connections solver in its proper role: helpful enough to unblock a puzzle, restrained enough to preserve the solve.

Tips for solving before you check

Start with the most concrete relationship you can find. Categories built from proper names, objects, a particular sport, or a shared profession can be easier to verify than an abstract wordplay link. Say the proposed category aloud in a short phrase. If one word only fits after a long explanation, park that group for later and look for a cleaner set.

Shared-word patterns reward patience. Try placing the same word before or after several cards and listen for titles, idioms, compounds, and common expressions. Pay attention to plurals, abbreviations, letter changes, and sounds as well as definitions. The difficult category often becomes visible only after an obvious group removes a word that had been pulling your attention in the wrong direction.

When you are down to eight words, resist the urge to force the first plausible split. Compare the two remaining groups against each other: which label is more exact, and which card is doing double duty? The Connections solver can confirm a carefully chosen group at that stage, while the clues and optional answers remain available whenever you want a different level of help.

Connections Solver FAQ

Questions about checking a group

Is this Connections solver free?

Yes. It is free to use, with no account or sign-up required.

Does it reveal all four groups?

No. The tool checks only the four words you select, so the other categories remain hidden.

How does the solver decide whether a group is correct?

It compares your chosen set with today’s four published groups and confirms an exact match.

Does the Connections solver work on mobile?

Yes. The board and its selection controls are designed for phones, tablets, and desktop browsers.

Can I check a past puzzle here?

This checker is for today’s board. Visit the Connections Archive to study previous boards, their hints, and their optional answer reveals.