Good morning, puzzlers! If you are looking for help with Strands on January 6, 2026, you have come to the right place. The New York Times Games team has released another brain teaser today, January 7 that is sure to have players looking up at the sky.
Whether you need a gentle nudge in the right direction or the full NYT Strands word list, we have everything you need to keep your winning streak alive. Here is today’s Strands explained.
Strands January 6, 2026 Answer Key
If you are ready for the solution, here is the complete NYT Strands word list for January 6.
Today’s puzzle features a mix of man-made inventions and nature, all united by their ability to fly.
- BALLOON
- DRONE
- KITE
- BIRD
- AIRPLANE
- ROCKET
- DEFYING GRAVITY (Spangram)
How to Play NYT Strands
If you are new to the game, Strands is a search-and-find puzzle with a twist. You must find words hidden in a grid of letters. The words can snake in any direction (up, down, left, right, or diagonal), but they must fit a specific, unspoken theme.
Every puzzle includes a Spangram (a special theme word) that spans the entire board from one side to the other.
NYT Strands Hints Today (January 6, 2026)
Before we reveal the full answer key, try these spoiler-free hints to solve the puzzle on your own.
The Theme Hint:
Today’s theme is all about looking up. Think about objects, machines, and creatures that leave the ground.
Clue Words to Unlock Hints:
If you are stuck, try finding these unrelated words in the grid to earn a hint:
- RATE
- TIDE
- LONE
- GRID
Today’s Spangram
The Spangram is the most important word in the puzzle because it describes the theme of all the other words.
Today’s Spangram is two words. It starts on the left side of the board and connects to the right.
The Spangram is:
DEFYING GRAVITY
Strands Today Explained
The theme for Strands 6 January 2026 is appropriately titled via the Spangram “Defying Gravity.” Every word found in the grid represents something that achieves flight or buoyancy.
- The Machines: The puzzle leans heavily into aviation technology. Airplanes and rockets represent heavy machinery used for travel and exploration. Drone adds a modern touch, reflecting how uncrewed aerial vehicles have become common in the 2020s.
- The Low-Tech: On the gentler side of aviation, we have the Balloon (referencing hot air balloons or perhaps helium party balloons) and the Kite, which relies on wind resistance.
- Nature: The outlier in today’s group is Bird, the only biological entry in the list, reminding us where the inspiration for flight originally came from.
Difficulty Rating
We would rate the January 6th puzzle as Easy to Medium. The words are distinct and relate very clearly to the theme. Once you find “Airplane” or “Bird,” the rest of the list falls into place quickly. The Spangram “Defying Gravity” is a common phrase (and a famous song), making it easier to spot than some of the more obscure thematic sentences the NYT has used in the past.