Get today's NYT Strands puzzle hints and answers for July 23, 2026

Today's NYT Strands puzzle is all about titles you'll find within one branch of the U.S. military. Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times' recent game, "Strands," is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.

With daily themes and "spangrams" to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.

We'll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today's Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #872 on Thursday, July 23.

How to Play Strands

According to the New York Times, here's exactly how to play Strands:

Find theme words to fill the board.

• Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
• Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
• Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.

Find the “spangram.”

• The spangram describes the puzzle's theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
• The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
• An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.

Need a hint?

• Find non-theme words to get hints.
• For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
• Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word's letter order.

What Is Today's Strands Hint for the Theme: "Hail to the chief petty officer."

A hint for today's Strands game: Anchors aweigh!

What Are Today's NYT Strands Hints?

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

In today's puzzle, there are six theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:

• EN
• AD
• RE
• CO
• LI
• NA (SPANGRAM)

NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?

Today's Spangram is mostly vertical.

NYT Strands Spangram Answer for July 23

Today's Spangram answer on Today's NYT 'Strands' Hints, Spangram and Answers for Thursday, July 23, 2026, isNAVYRANKS.

What Are Today's NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Thursday, July 23?

• ENSIGN
• ADMIRAL
• RECRUIT
• COMMANDER
• LIEUTENANT
• SPANGRAM: NAVYRANKS

Related: Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Wednesday, July 22, 2026