The New York Times has released hints for its game, Strands, on October 19, 2026, aiming to assist players in navigating the day’s puzzle. The hints are part of the Strands Sidekick feature, designed to enhance the solving experience and encourage engagement among players.
Participants are advised that the article may include spoilers for today’s Strands game. To avoid exposure to potential spoilers, players are encouraged to complete the puzzle before reading the hints. The game is available at midnight in each player’s time zone, with the Sidekick feature providing hints based on Eastern Standard Time to accommodate global players.
If players find that they have accessed the wrong Sidekick for their puzzle, the New York Times recommends checking the puzzle number and visiting the designated page for the correct Sidekick post.
Today’s Difficulty
The difficulty of today’s puzzle has been rated as moderate. This rating is determined by averaging the feedback from paid testers who assess puzzles on a scale of easy, moderate, and challenging. Players are invited to share their own experiences with the puzzle in the comments section.
For those seeking additional guidance, the Sidekick feature offers hints that reveal the first letter or direction of travel for up to three theme words within the day’s game. Players can click or tap on each hint to receive assistance. This interactive aspect of the Strands Sidekick encourages communication among solvers while they tackle the daily puzzle.
