NYT Connections #947 Hints, Answers Today – January 13, 2026

If you enjoy spotting patterns, grouping ideas, and having those “aha!” moments, then NYT Connections is probably already part of your daily routine. This New York Times word game looks simple on the surface, but it can get tricky very quickly — especially once the categories start overlapping in sneaky ways.

Unlike Wordle, where you focus on one word, Connections challenges you to organize 16 words into four correct groups, with each group sharing a hidden theme. Some connections are obvious, others are cleverly disguised, and a single wrong assumption can throw everything off.

If today’s puzzle slowed you down or you just want to confirm your answers, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of NYT Connections #947 for January 13, 2026, including hints first and full answers afterward.

Today’s NYT Connections #947 Hints – January 13, 2026

Before jumping straight to the answers, it’s always smarter to work with hints. They help you think in the right direction without spoiling the fun.

Here are the official-style clues for each color category, ordered from easiest to hardest:

Yellow Category Hint

Think about common items you’d grab when preparing a gift or setting up for a celebration like a birthday or holiday.

Green Category Hint

These words all describe ways to physically push or force your way through a crowd.

Blue Category Hint

These are all recognizable fashion items or possessions linked to a very famous board game character.

Purple Category Hint

This one is more technical:
Each word contains the name of a foot-related body part, but only after removing the first letter.

If you’ve made your guesses, let’s see how they stack up.

Today’s NYT Connections #947 Answers – January 13, 2026

Here are the correct groupings and their explanations for today’s puzzle:

Yellow Category — PRESENT GO-WITHS

Bow, Card, Gift Wrap, Ribbon

These are all items commonly paired with a gift. This category was one of the easiest to spot, especially if you started by thinking about birthdays or holidays.

Green Category — JOSTLE

Elbow, Press, Shoulder, Shove

All four words describe physical actions used to push through a tight space. This group felt natural once you pictured a crowded subway or concert.

Blue Category — ACCESSORIES FOR MR. MONOPOLY

Bowtie, Cane, Moneybag, Top Hat

This was one of the more creative groupings. Each word refers to an iconic item associated with Mr. Monopoly, the mascot of the Monopoly board game. Once you see it, it clicks instantly.

Purple Category — PARTS OF THE FOOT PLUS STARTING LETTER

Otoe, Parch, Rankle, Wheel

This category required the most careful thinking. When you remove the first letter from each word, you’re left with a part of the foot:

Otoe → toe
Parch → arch
Rankle → ankle
Wheel → heel

A classic Connections “word surgery” trick.

Puzzle Breakdown & Difficulty Thoughts

Today’s Connections puzzle was very well balanced.

Yellow and Green felt approachable and helped build confidence early.
Blue rewarded cultural knowledge and lateral thinking.
Purple delivered that satisfying final twist that makes the game memorable.

Overall, this was a puzzle that tested both vocabulary and pattern recognition, without feeling unfair or random. I’d rate it a solid 4 out of 5 — challenging, but enjoyable.

How to Play NYT Connections (Quick Guide)

If you’re new to the game or want a refresher, here’s how NYT Connections works:

You’re given 16 words
Your goal is to split them into 4 groups of 4
Each group shares a hidden theme
Categories are color-coded by difficulty:
- Yellow: easiest
- Green: medium
- Blue: hard
- Purple: hardest

You only get four mistakes total, so guessing randomly can cost you the game quickly. Once you solve a group correctly, it locks in place and you move on.

The puzzle refreshes every 24 hours, just like Wordle.

NYT Connections #935 Hints, Answers Today – January 1, 2026

The NYT Connections puzzle is all about spotting relationships that aren’t always obvious at first glance. It looks simple—just group four related words—but the real challenge comes from thinking beyond surface meanings. One wrong assumption, and suddenly everything feels connected… except correctly.

If today’s NYT Connections #935 left you second-guessing yourself, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find clear hints, fully revealed answers, and a helpful breakdown explaining why each group works—so you don’t just solve today’s puzzle, you get better at tomorrow’s too.

NYT Connections #935 Overview

Puzzle Number: 935
Date: January 1, 2026
Total Words: 16
Groups: 4 (Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple)
Difficulty: Medium

Today’s NYT Connections #935 Hints (January 1, 2026)

If you want a push in the right direction without spoiling the puzzle, start with these category hints. Each color represents a different level of difficulty.

Category Hints

Yellow (Easiest): Types of magic
Green (Moderate): Actions that remove an outer layer
Blue (Harder): Slang words used for an obsessed or dedicated fan
Purple (Trickiest): Words that commonly follow a popular dairy spread

Take a moment to think through these before scrolling. The Purple category especially rewards lateral thinking.

Today’s NYT Connections #935 Answers (January 1, 2026)

Here are the correct groupings for today’s puzzle, revealed with explanations to help lock in the logic.

Yellow Category — Bit of Magic

Charm
Curse
Hex
Spell

These are all classic magical elements, commonly used in folklore, fantasy, and mythology. This group is very straightforward once you focus on supernatural themes.

Green Category — Remove the Covering From

Peel
Shell
Shuck
Skin

Each word describes removing an outer layer from food, objects, or materials. This group comes together quickly once you stop thinking literally and focus on the shared action.

Blue Category — Enthusiast (Slang)

Buff
Head
Hound
Rat

This category is slightly trickier. All four words are slang terms for someone deeply interested or obsessed with a topic—like a movie buff or a gearhead. Context matters here more than definition.

Purple Category — Butter ___

Fingers
Fly
Nut
Scotch

This is the classic Connections “aha!” group. Each word forms a familiar phrase when paired with butter (butterfingers, butterfly, butternut, butterscotch). Sound patterns—not meanings—are the key.

Puzzle Breakdown & Difficulty Review

Today’s grid was a smart blend of obvious groupings and subtle wordplay.

Yellow and Green were approachable and confidence-building
Blue required understanding how nouns function as descriptors
Purple demanded phonetic awareness rather than semantic logic

The puzzle rewarded players who slowed down and questioned first instincts—exactly what makes NYT Connections so addictive.

How to Play NYT Connections (Beginner-Friendly Guide)

If you’re new to the game—or want to improve—here’s a quick refresher.

How the Game Works

You’re given 16 words
Your goal is to divide them into 4 groups of 4
Each group shares a hidden connection
You only get 4 incorrect attempts

Difficulty Colors Explained

Yellow: Easiest
Green: Medium
Blue: Hard
Purple: Tricky or abstract

Once a group is correct, it locks in and you move on to the next.

Pro Tips to Solve NYT Connections Faster

Avoid guessing early — scan all 16 words first
Look for multiple meanings — slang, prefixes, suffixes, and sound-alikes
Save Purple for last — it often relies on wordplay, not meaning
Eliminate overlaps — if a word fits two groups, one is probably wrong