Stuck on today’s NYT Strands? Here are the hints, the theme, and the full solution list for the January 9, 2026 puzzle.
The New York Times Strands puzzle is closing out the week with a puzzle that might have you craving a specific type of meal. If you are struggling to connect the letters on the board today, you aren’t alone.
Whether you are looking for a nudge in the right direction or the full list of answers to keep your streak alive, we have everything you need to solve the Strands puzzle for Friday, January 9.
NYT Strands Answers for January 9, 2026 (Full Solution)
Still missing a few words? Here is the complete word list for today’s puzzle.
The theme today was centered around FOR CUBS FANS. Here are the words hidden in the grid:
- BLACK
- BROWN
- PANDA
- POLAR
- GRIZZLY
- SPECTACLED
- Â BEARSIN-MIND(Spangram)
The Theme for Today’s Strands
Every Strands puzzle starts with a cryptic theme hint to set the mood.
Today’s Theme Hint: FOR CUBS FANS
A Non-Spoiler Hint
If the theme “FOR CUBS FANS” is too vague, think about what you might order at a sushi restaurant or find in the canned goods aisle. You are looking for a specific species of a very popular fish.
What is NYT Strands?
If you are new to the game or just need a refresher, Strands is the New York Times‘ twist on the classic word search. Unlike a traditional word search, where you look for a random list of words, Strands has a unique “theme” every day.
- The Goal: Find all the theme words to fill the board.
- The Twist: You must use every single letter on the grid exactly once.
- The Spangram: One special word (or phrase) stretches across the entire board, touching two opposite sides. This word describes the theme of the puzzle.
It’s a mix of logic, vocabulary, and trivia. Now, let’s look at how to solve the puzzle for January 9, 2026.
Puzzle Analysis
Today’s puzzle was a treat for seafood lovers. The board required players to distinguish between specific species of tuna. While POLAR, GRIZZLY and PANDA are commonly seen on grocery store shelves, BLACK, BROWN, and SPECTACLED are terms more frequently encountered by sushi aficionados. Finding the Spangram BEARSIN-MIND was the key to unlocking the board’s structure today.
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