NYT Connections 26 February, 2026: NYT Connections has become a must-play for fans of word games. Since its release by The New York Times, the game challenges players to identify sets of four words that have a common theme unlike Wordle, Connections relies on the identification of patterns, which makes it both addictive and addictive. According to data from NYT Games, daily active users exceed 2 million since January 2026, which is a clear indication of how quickly it has gained popularity.
What is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a word-based puzzle where players must sort 16 words into four thematic groups of four where each group varies in difficulty:
- Green: easiest
- Yellow: medium
- Blue: challenging
- Purple: hardest
Players have four allowed mistakes per puzzle and can often deduce remaining groups by process of elimination while it’s available for free on desktop or mobile via the NYT Games portal.
How to Play NYT Connections
- Identify words that might belong together.
- Drag and drop words into tentative groups.
- Use elimination for tricky words.
- Remember the four-mistake buffer allows strategic guesses.
- Recognize homophones and tricky synonyms that may disguise themes.
Today’s Connections Words for 26 February (Thursday)
- SHAMROCK
- DRUMROLL
- PUNCHLINE
- MILESTONE
- PRETTY
- WATERSHED
- GRASSHOPPER
- LANDMARK
- CHECK
- TIMING
- ATTENTION
- STATUE OF LIBERTY
- SETUP
- WASABI
- CALLBACK
- CROSSROADS
Today’s Connections Hints for 26 February (Thursday)
- Yellow: Moment of truth
- Green: Share same color
- Blue: Parts of a gag
- Purple: Add a polite word
NYT Connections Answers for 26 February (#991)
- Yellow – Pivotal Point: CROSSROADS, LANDMARK, MILESTONE, WATERSHED
- Green – Green Things: GRASSHOPPER, SHAMROCK, STATUE OF LIBERTY, WASABI
- Blue – Elements of Joke-Telling: CALLBACK, PUNCHLINE, SETUP, TIMING
- Purple – “Please”: ATTENTION, CHECK, DRUMROLL, PRETTY
Yesterday’s NYT Connections Answers for 25 February (#990)
- Yellow – Care for Baby: FOSTER, MOTHER, NURSE, CARE FOR BABY
- Green – Elementary: BASIC, KEY, PRIMARY, PRINCIPAL
- Blue – Musicians: JAMESES BROWN, COOK, DEAN, HARDEN
- Purple – Ending in Family Words: ALKALINE, DECLAN, DIATRIBE, NAPKIN
FAQ’s: NYT Connections
What is NYT Connections?
A daily word puzzle where players group 16 words into four thematic categories.
Is it free to play?
Yes, available for free on desktop and mobile via NYT Games.
How many mistakes can I make?
Players are allowed up to four incorrect guesses per puzzle.
Can I deduce answers without solving all words?
Yes, elimination strategies often reveal the remaining groups.
What are the difficulty levels?
Green is easiest, yellow medium, blue challenging, and purple hardest.
