NYT Connections 04 February, 2026: Sort 16 words into four groups with hints, categories and answers. Know how to play and solve today’s puzzle.

NYT Connections Today, Wednesday February 4 (Photo: NYT)
NYT Connections 04 February, 2026: Word games have quietly become one of the most consumed daily digital habits. According to recent engagement data from puzzle platforms, over 10 million players worldwide attempt at least one daily word game, with NYT Connections ranking among the fastest-growing unlike quick-solve puzzles, Connections rewards patience, pattern recognition and lateral thinking, making it a daily ritual for serious puzzle fans.
NYT Connections is a daily word association game from The New York Times where yoou are presented with 16 words that, at first glance, have no connection to each other, and you have to put them into four groups of four, each with its own theme. When you get a group right, it locks in but if you make a mistake, it costs you in a limited mistake budget. The game gets progressively harder with clever overlaps that hide obvious answers, and this is why most people complete only the first two groups.


Is NYT Connections free to play?
Yes, it is available daily on the NYT Games website without a subscription.
How difficult is Connections compared to Wordle?
Players report a higher cognitive load, with average solve times nearly double.
What does the word discord mean?
Discord refers to a lack of harmony or agreement, often involving arguments, tension or ongoing disagreement between people or groups.
Why is the purple category so hard?
It often relies on indirect or multi-layered associations.
What improves success rates?
Eliminating overlaps and spotting misleading similarities early.