If today’s Strands puzzle has you tied in knots, relief is just moments away.

The New York Times’ latest word game hides a carefully themed puzzle inside a compact maze of letters.

You can connect letters in any direction (up, down, sideways, or diagonally), but each can be used only once.

The only guide is the puzzle’s cryptic title.

Find three non-themed words, and you’ll unlock a helpful hint. Piece them all together, and you’ll discover the “spangram”, a theme-defining word or phrase that stretches across the entire board.

Below, you’ll find helpful hints and solutions to unlock the entire puzzle.

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    This spangram refers to the central area of a circus where various performances, such as those by acrobats, clowns, contortionists, and jugglers, are showcased.

    NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

    Today’s NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

    NYT Strands spangram answer today

    Today’s spangram is CENTER RING.

    NYT Strands word list for 01-October-2025

    • Acrobat
    • Clown
    • Contortionist
    • Juggler

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