Today's NYT Strands is live for Saturday, April 18, 2026 (Puzzle #776). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Not too much"
What It Really Means
This theme points toward words related to affordability, savings, and economical choices, things that don't cost a fortune.
Think About...
- Ways to describe low prices or good deals
- Financial terms for saving money
- Synonyms for inexpensive or budget-friendly
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Top to bottom
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: Third letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This phrase describes doing something without spending much money.
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's an idiom for being frugal or economical in your approach.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is O, last letter is P
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ONTHECHEAP
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A great deal or discount
Closer: What you get when something is priced well below its usual value
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 7 letters total
Answer
BARGAIN
Word 2
Vague: Not costing a lot
Closer: The opposite of expensive or costly
Letter Clue: Starts with I, 12 letters total
Answer
INEXPENSIVE
Word 3
Vague: Financial plan for spending
Closer: A limited amount of money allocated for something
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 6 letters total
Answer
BUDGET
Word 4
Vague: Retail event with reduced prices
Closer: When stores offer discounts to clear inventory
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SALE
Word 5
Vague: Within financial reach
Closer: Priced reasonably for most people
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 10 letters total
Answer
AFFORDABLE
Full Answers
Spangram: ONTHECHEAP
Theme Words:
- BARGAIN
- INEXPENSIVE
- BUDGET
- SALE
- AFFORDABLE
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: INEXPENSIVE (Longest word at 12 letters, requires careful grid navigation)
Our Take: A straightforward theme with clear financial vocabulary. The spangram "ONTHECHEAP" perfectly captures the economical spirit. All words follow a consistent money-saving concept, making this puzzle accessible for beginners while still offering satisfying connections for seasoned players.
