Feeling stumped by today's NYT Connections puzzle? You're not alone! Many players find themselves scratching their heads, especially when the themes are a little less obvious. But don't worry, we're here to help you crack Connections #936 for January 2nd, offering hints and the solution to boost your word game victory.
If you are a fan of healthy eating, the puzzle for today might be a bit easier for you to solve.
Connections has become a daily obsession for many, quickly rising through the ranks to become one of the most popular word games offered by The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections). The core concept is deceptively simple: identify the shared link – the "common thread" – between four seemingly disparate words. Think of it as a verbal Venn diagram! Just like its cousin, Wordle, Connections (https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-september-1-2025) presents a fresh challenge every day after midnight, and the difficulty ramps up quickly. That's why we're providing some much-needed clues and tactics to help you overcome today's particular hurdle.
Want the answer outright? You can skip to the end of this article for the complete Connections solution. But if you'd prefer to flex your mental muscles and solve it yourself, keep reading for helpful clues, tips, and strategic advice.
What exactly is Connections?
The NYT's latest daily word game sensation has taken social media by storm. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu as a key figure in the game's creation and introduction to the publication's Games section. Connections (https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-february-21-2024) is accessible on both web browsers and mobile devices, challenging players to group four words based on a shared characteristic or theme.
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Each puzzle presents 16 words, divided into four distinct categories. These categories can encompass a wide range of topics, from book titles and software applications to country names and beyond. While multiple words might seem to fit together at first glance, remember: there's only one correct solution for each group. The challenge lies in discerning the precise connection the puzzle-makers intended.
Successfully identifying all four words in a set results in their removal from the board, clearing space and reducing the number of possibilities. However, incorrect guesses count as mistakes, and players are limited to four mistakes before the game ends. Choose your words wisely!
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To aid in the process, players can rearrange the board by shuffling the word tiles, potentially revealing hidden patterns and making connections easier to spot. And this is the part most people miss: The game also color-codes each group according to difficulty, with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Knowing this can help guide your strategy. As with Wordle, you can share your results with friends on social media, comparing scores and strategies.
Need a nudge? Here’s a hint at today's Connections categories
Want just a hint about the categories, without being explicitly told what they are? Here are some very vague clues to get your gears turning:
- Yellow: To notate
- Green: A skit
- Blue: A guideline
- Purple: Greens
Still stuck? Here are today's Connections categories revealed!
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into these categories:
- Yellow: Write
- Green: Shtick
- Blue: Benchmark
- Purple: Vegetable minus starting letter
Are you also trying to solve Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle. (https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-january-2-2025)
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions. Seriously, don't scroll down if you want to try it yourself!
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #936 is...
What is the answer to Connections today?
- Write: JOT, LOG, NOTE, RECORD
- Shtick: BIT, GAG, NUMBER, ROUTINE
- Benchmark: BAR, EXAMPLE, METRIC, STANDARD
- Vegetable minus starting letter: ALE, EEK, HIVE, QUASH
Don't be discouraged if you didn't manage to solve it this time. Connections can be tricky! There will be a new puzzle tomorrow, providing another opportunity to stretch your brain. And we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints and solutions. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints (https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-january-2-2026) you need for today's puzzle.
If you're looking for more puzzles to keep your mind sharp, Mashable's got games now! (https://games.mashable.com/) Check out our games hub (https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.
Not solving it on January 2nd? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections. (https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-january-1-2026)
Now, here's a thought-provoking question: Do you think the Connections puzzles are getting harder, or are we just getting worse at them? And here's where it gets controversial: Some people believe the color-coding is misleading and intentionally throws players off. What are your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments below! We'd love to hear whether you agree with our hints, found a different solution, or have your own strategies for tackling Connections.
