NYT Connections 22 May, 2026: NYT Connections has rapidly become one of the most-played daily word games online, attracting millions of puzzle fans worldwide. The game challenges players to group 16 words into four linked categories while the yellow category is usually the easiest, the purple set often contains the trickiest wordplay and hidden themes.
What is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a daily puzzle game published by The New York Times. Players must identify relationships between words and sort them into four categories of four words each and the puzzle refreshes every day at midnight and its popularity has surged alongside games like Wordle and Strands. According to gaming trend trackers, daily NYT puzzle engagement has increased by more than 35% globally over the past year.
How to Play NYT Connections
- Players receive 16 words in a grid
- The goal is to create four groups of related words
- Each category is colour-coded by difficulty
- Yellow = Easiest
- Green = Moderate
- Blue = Difficult
- Purple = Hardest and often involves wordplay
- Players get only four mistakes before the game ends
Today’s Connections Words for 22 May (Friday)
- CHECK IN
- FOLLOW UP
- RECONNECT
- TOUCH BASE
- CONVENTION
- CUSTOM
- SOCIAL NORM
- UNWRITTEN RULE
- ASSEMBLY LINE
- BAGGAGE CLAIM
- CHECKOUT LANE
- REVOLVING SUSHI BAR
- CARRY-ON
- EL NIÑO
- LOOSEY-GOOSEY
- TAILOR-MADE
Today’s Connections Hints for 22 May (Friday)
- Yellow group relates to getting back in contact
- Green category focuses on accepted behaviour or traditions
- Blue group involves places or systems using conveyor belts
- Purple category contains phrases beginning with name homophones
NYT Connections Answers for 22 May (#1076)
- Yellow – Reach Back Out
- CHECK IN
- FOLLOW UP
- RECONNECT
- TOUCH BASE
- Green – The Way Things Are Done
- CONVENTION
- CUSTOM
- SOCIAL NORM
- UNWRITTEN RULE
- Blue – Places With Conveyor Belts
- ASSEMBLY LINE
- BAGGAGE CLAIM
- CHECKOUT LANE
- REVOLVING SUSHI BAR
- Purple – Starting With Name Homophones
- CARRY-ON
- EL NIÑO
- LOOSEY-GOOSEY
- TAILOR-MADE
Yesterday’s NYT Connections Answers for 21 May (#1075)
- Yellow – Kinds of Pies
- CHESS
- PECAN
- PUMPKIN
- SHOOFLY
- Green – Things Associated With Butts
- CABOOSE
- CAN
- MOON
- PEACH
- Blue – Tennis Scoring Terms
- ADVANTAGE
- DEUCE
- FORTY
- LOVE
- Purple – _ Mustard
- COLONEL
- HONEY
- HOT
- YELLOW
Tips to Solve NYT Connections
- Start with the most obvious word relationships first
- Watch for misleading words designed to confuse categories
- Purple groups often involve puns or hidden language tricks
- Say difficult phrases aloud to notice sound-based clues
- Eliminate unrelated words gradually instead of guessing randomly
- Think beyond dictionary meanings and focus on patterns
FAQ’s About NYT Connections
Q1. What time does NYT Connections reset?
The puzzle refreshes daily at midnight local time.
Q2. Is NYT Connections free to play?
Yes, the daily puzzle is available online through The New York Times Games section.
Q3. How many mistakes are allowed?
Players can make up to four incorrect guesses.
Q4. Which category is usually hardest?
Purple is considered the toughest because it often uses wordplay or hidden references.
Q5. Why is NYT Connections so popular?
The game combines vocabulary, logic and pattern recognition, making it highly shareable and mentally engaging.
Disclaimer: Solutions and hints are for guidance only; all NYT Connections content is The New York Times and remains their intellectual property.
