NYT Strands Daily Puzzle: January 9, 2024 (Game 678)
January 9, 2026
Looking for today's NYT Strands puzzle? A new game appears at midnight in your time zone, meaning some players are always solving "today's" puzzle while others are working on "yesterday's." If you want to try the puzzle for Friday, January 9, click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, January 9.
About NYT Strands
Strands is the latest addition to The New York Times' array of word games, following popular titles like Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Connections. It's a challenging and engaging game that requires strategic thinking. If you're finding it difficult, keep reading for some helpful hints.
Warning: Spoilers about today's answers are below. Don't continue if you'd prefer to solve it without hints.
Today's Game Overview (Game #678)
Theme
Today's theme is: If not now, when?
Clue Words
Enter any of these to unlock in-game hints:
- SMELLY
- UNREAL
- LOVE
- CROW
- ROOM
- TURN
Spangram Details
- Number of letters: 14
- Key board contact: Touches both sides of the board
- Right side: 8th row
- Left side: 1st row
Today's Answers
Spoiler alert! The solutions for today's puzzle are listed below.
- Words found: SOON, EVENTUALLY, LATER, TOMORROW, SHORTLY
- Spangram: PROCRASTINATOR
My Experience
I found today’s puzzle quite challenging. After using a hint—"SOON" to confirm the theme—I managed to find the remaining words with some effort: EVENTUALLY, LATER, TOMORROW, and SHORTLY. The spangram, PROCRASTINATOR, was a fitting phrase, especially considering the theme of delay.
It was a tough but rewarding challenge. I hope you found more focus than I did!
Yesterday’s Answers (January 8, 2024, Game #677)
- POLAR
- GRIZZLY
- PANDAS
- SPECTACLE
- BROWN
- BLACK
Spangram: BEARSINMIND
About NYT Strands
Strands is a word game from The New York Times, following the success of Wordle and others. It’s accessible on the NYT Games site, available for both desktop and mobile devices, and offers a new puzzle daily.
If you'd like tips and strategies, check out our comprehensive guide on how to play and solve NYT Strands.
Written by Johnny, a dedicated pop culture journalist and former Pop Detective, with a love of puzzles, music, and London cycling.