At a Glance
- Strands puzzle for Jan. 3, 2026 features theme “I’ve never seen that before!”
- Non-spangram answers include FRESH, NOVEL, SEMINAL, ORIGINAL, INVENTIVE.
- Spangram word spans the grid: BREAKNEWGROUND.
- Why it matters: Solving the puzzle unlocks hints and completes the board, a goal for daily crossword fans.
The New York Times Strands puzzle released on Jan. 3, 2026 offers a fresh challenge for puzzle lovers, with a theme that celebrates novelty and a spangram that stitches the entire board together.
Puzzle Theme and Structure
The theme “I’ve never seen that before!” hints at newness, and the clue “Not the old stuff” reinforces this idea. The puzzle requires finding hidden words that fit the theme, and every time three four-letter or longer words are found, one of the theme words is revealed. The non-spangram answers are: FRESH, NOVEL, SEMINAL, ORIGINAL, INVENTIVE.
Clue Words and Tips
Clue words that unlock in-game hints include:
- VENT
- TINE
- NITE
- GIVE
- GIVER
- GIVEN
- LION
- MINE
- GLARE
- ROUND
- ROUNDS
Quick tips for solving:
- Tweak existing words by adding an “S” or other variants.
- If a word like WILL appears, look nearby for SILL or BILL.
- Once a theme word is revealed, search the board for related words.
- Guess three more clue words to have the puzzle light up each letter of the theme word in order.
Spangram Reveal
The spangram for the puzzle is BREAKNEWGROUND. To find it, start with the leftmost B on the top row and trace a winding path down the grid. Every letter on the board is used when the spangram is completed.
Key Takeaways
- The puzzle’s theme celebrates novelty with the phrase “I’ve never seen that before!”
- The non-spangram answers are FRESH, NOVEL, SEMINAL, ORIGINAL, INVENTIVE.
- The spangram word BREAKNEWGROUND spans the entire grid.
By mastering the clue words and tips, players can unlock all theme words and finish the Strands puzzle efficiently, turning a daily brain-teaser into a satisfying accomplishment.
