Screenshot of nytimes.com captured 2026-10-30.
Connections is a daily grouping puzzle from The New York Times. You see sixteen words and must split them into four groups of four that share something in common. Each group has a color that hints at its difficulty, from yellow (most direct) to purple (trickiest).
| Type | Word games |
|---|---|
| Time per game | 3-10 minutes |
| Publisher | The New York Times |
| Platform | Web browser, no install needed |
| Play on DLE Arena | No, official site only |
| Official site | nytimes.com |
How to play Connections
- Select four words you think belong together and submit.
- If all four share the hidden link, the group locks in and its theme is revealed.
- You can make four mistakes before the game ends.
- Groups are colored yellow, green, blue and purple, roughly from easiest to hardest.
Connections tips
- Look for red herrings: most puzzles include a fifth word that fits a group but belongs elsewhere.
- Solve the group you are surest of first to shrink the board.
- Purple groups often use wordplay such as hidden words, homophones or missing prefixes.
Who will like Connections
Connections fits in our word games collection. Word games are the heart of the daily puzzle boom. If you play several dailies each morning, Connections takes about 3-10 minutes, so it pairs well with a quick word game and a knowledge game like Arena Rank.
Games like Connections
- Wordle Guess the hidden five-letter word in six tries.
- Strands Find themed words hidden in a letter grid, plus the spangram.
- Spelling Bee Make as many words as you can from seven letters.
- The Mini Crossword A tiny daily crossword you can finish in about a minute.
- Letter Boxed Chain words around a square to use all twelve letters.
- ▶ Play here Quordle Solve four Wordles at once in nine guesses.
Frequently asked questions
What is Connections?
Connections is a daily grouping puzzle from The New York Times. You see sixteen words and must split them into four groups of four that share something in common. Each group has a color that hints at its difficulty, from yellow (most direct) to purple (trickiest).
Where can I play Connections?
Connections is played in the browser on its official site, nytimes.com. It does not allow other sites to embed it, so DLE Arena links there directly.
How long does a game of Connections take?
Most players finish a round in about 3-10 minutes.
What games are like Connections?
If you enjoy Connections, try Wordle, Strands, Spelling Bee, or play Arena Rank, our own daily ranking puzzle on DLE Arena.
Connections is a trademark of its owner. DLE Arena is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Connections. Details were checked on 2026-10-30; rules can change, so the official site is the final word.