How to play NYT Connections is quite different from Wordle. Even though both games are similar in some ways, Connections can be so frustrating if you’re a beginner. Firstly, before I take you through the step-by-step guide on how to play the game, you should know what the game is. So, what is the NYT Connections game?
Connections is a web-based word game, meaning you can play it on any device—smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Simply open a web browser and visit the game’s official website to start playing. Connections is also owned by The New York Times and is their second most-played game, only behind Wordle. Since its release in June 2023, it has gained widespread popularity, especially through result-sharing and discussions on social media platforms like TikTok.
The game is another word puzzle, similar to Wordle and Quordle. The key difference is that Connections is a word association game that requires players to find relationships between given words, whereas Wordle is a word-guessing game. Additionally, Wordle gives you six attempts, while Connections allows only four tries to solve the puzzle. Now, let’s move on to how to play NYT Connections.
Where to Play NYT Connections?
Connections is a web-based word game, meaning you can play it on any device—smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Simply open a web browser and visit the game’s official website to start playing.
However, you can also access the game through the New York Times Games app, available for free on both iOS and Android devices. The best part is that the app lets you play other games like Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Sudoku, all in one place.
How to Play NYT Connections
Word puzzle games generally help your neural system and cognitive skills to improve in a certain way. And I believe this fact is a major reason a lot of people enjoy exploring different puzzle games. So, it’s important to learn how to play NYT Connections to make the most of the game. Follow the steps outlined below to get you started:
- I’ll use the web version to demonstrate how you play the game to you. You can click here to visit the game’s official website. Alternatively, you can download and install the NYT Games app on your smartphone. Click on “Play” to start the game.
- Upon clicking on “Play” to start the game, a pop-up explainer will appear. Click on the “X” icon at the top of the pop-up to close it.
- Next, evaluate and group the given words. It’s a 4 by 4 grid with 16 words, and you need to tap or click on four words that are associated with one another.
- Next is to click on submit and continue playing. Upon clicking on the “Submit” option, the result of your selection will be revealed to you. If you make a mistake, you’ll know through the mistake indicator below the grid.
- Continue playing to make other selections. Be careful to not make reckless mistakes.
- Click on “View Results” once you have correctly grouped the words or used up all your chances.
- You can click on “Share Your Results” to show your friends how well you attempted the day’s puzzle challenge. You can also click on “back to puzzle X” at the top to view all the answers in each group.
NYT Connections Game Rules
That was pretty much how to play NYT Connections. There are three golden rules you’d always want to be conscious of anytime you want to play the word puzzle game. Check the list below:
- Your first selection is the most important. Take your time to select four words that are associated with one another. Knowing and understanding the meaning of as many US English words as possible is your greatest advantage.
- Your next selection is as important as the first one. Find a connection between four words from among the remaining given words. Be confident of what you’re linking to each one of them.
- Lastly, you can only select and submit four words at a time. If you’re sure of three, take your chance wisely to select the fourth word.
NYT Connections Tips and Strategies to Win
Before you found this page, you probably asked yourself, ‘How does NYT Connections work?’ To avoid spending too much time linking words and building connections, check out the tips and strategies below to help you master the game. By following them, you’ll reduce mistakes and make better use of your chances.
- Watch out for ambiguous words. They are included to let you fail. When you think two words are related, you’ll be surprised to find out that they are not. So, when you’re making a selection, consider how each word could also be connected to other unselected words.
- Use the “Shuffle” option to rearrange the words. This will help you refresh your memory and approach linking the words together from another perspective. The original arrangement is intentionally made to mislead you.
- Remember, you have only 4 chances to win the daily challenge, and that naturally makes the game more challenging than others. Thus, your guesses are important. Take your time to sort through the words and press “Submit” only when it feels right. Don’t rush it.
- Get yourself familiar with trivia, and always improve your vocabulary. It goes a long way.
FAQs
What is the NYT Connections game?
It’s a word puzzle game that challenges your vocabulary and your ability to associate words together. It introduces a fun and engaging way of connecting words and ideas.
How many attempts do I get?
You have 4 tries to attempt the challenge each day. That’s why you should learn how to play NYT Connections—if you use up all your chances and lose, you’ll have to wait until the next day’s challenge. There’s no second chance.
Can I play past NYT Connections puzzles?
Yes, there is an archive for the NYT Connections game where you can access past puzzles. However, you must be a NYT Games subscriber to use it.
How many times can I play NYT Connections in a day?
There’s only one challenge per day, and it is what you get to play. Win or lose, you have to wait for the next challenge the following day.
