NYT Connections 25 January, 2026: NYT Connections has proven to be the best word game that is challenging in recent times. While players have been fixing letters in Wordle, Connections requires players to look out for connections in terms of grouping objects in four-letter sets that are hidden in sixteen game pieces. Here, we will give players an analysis of the January 25 edition, #959.
What is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a word game from the NYT that requires vocabulary, reasoning and spotting patterns correctly. In this daily NYT Connections game, there will be 16 words or phrases to sort correctly into four sets of four, with a common theme within each group. The level of difficulty will be represented by colors with green being the least difficult, followed by somewhat harder levels depicted in colors like yellow, blue and the hardest, purple. There will also be four errors allowed in the sorting process.
How to Play NYT Connections
- Identify four words that naturally belong together based on meaning, function, or association
- Click or drag words into a group box once you believe they belong together
- Repeat the process until all 16 words are sorted into four groups
- Use process of elimination for the trickiest groups
- Players are allowed up to four errors before the puzzle ends
- Daily puzzles are numbered sequentially, providing a record of progress
Today’s Connections Words for 25 January (Sunday)
- SUB
- RIBBON
- HOOD
- SHIP
- SHELL
- COVER
- MENU
- TUBE
- ENTER
- BOWTIE
- FILL IN
- WINDOWS
- DOM
- ALT
- TEMP
- ATE
Today’s Connections Hints for 25 January (Sunday)
- Yellow Group: Second choice, backup-related words
- Green Group: PC keyboard keys
- Blue Group: Different pasta shapes
- Purple Group: Common word endings, suffixes
- Tip: Look for patterns and associations rather than literal meanings
NYT Connections Answers for 25 January (#959)
- Yellow (Act as a backup): COVER, FILL IN, SUB, TEMP
- Green (PC Keyboard Keys): ALT, ENTER, MENU, WINDOWS
- Blue (Pasta Shapes): BOWTIE, RIBBON, SHELL, TUBE
- Purple (Suffixes): ATE, DOM, HOOD, SHIP
Fun Fact: The bowtie-shaped pasta, also called farfalle, is designed to hold creamy sauces, showing how even culinary patterns sneak into the game.
FAQ’s NYT Connections
1. Can NYT Connections be played offline?
No, the game requires an internet connection to access the daily puzzle through the New York Times website or mobile app. However, previously solved puzzles can be reviewed offline if saved.
2. Is there a time limit for completing each puzzle?
No, players can take as much time as they need. The game does not impose a countdown, allowing careful thought and multiple attempts within the allowed four mistakes.
3. Can I replay past NYT Connections puzzles?
Yes, NYT Games allows access to previous puzzles by date or puzzle number. This is useful for practice or if you want to review a tricky puzzle.
4. Does NYT Connections offer hints or tips during gameplay?
The game does not provide automatic hints. Players must rely on observation, pattern recognition, and elimination strategies to group words correctly.
5. Are there daily streaks or scoring in NYT Connections?
While NYT Connections tracks puzzle completion, it does not assign points or maintain a public leaderboard. Players can maintain personal streaks by solving consecutive daily puzzles.
6. How do the NYT Connections groups like keyboard keys, pasta shapes, and suffixes relate to each other?
In NYT Connections, each group shares its own theme—keyboard keys, pasta shapes, and suffixes are separate patterns among 16 words. The challenge is identifying these distinct connections.
