The New York Times' Connections has swiftly captured the imagination of word puzzle enthusiasts worldwide. Blending the straightforward appeal of games like Wordle with the intricate demands of logic and pattern recognition, this daily game presents a unique mental workout. It tasks players with uncovering hidden links between seemingly unrelated words.
What Makes NYT Connections So Addictive?
Every single day, the game displays a grid of 16 words. The objective is to sort these words into four coherent groups of four, each based on a clever, concealed theme. The puzzle for January 12, 2026, marked as number 946, offers that perfect sweet spot between being challenging and immensely enjoyable. It pushes players to flex their knowledge and cognitive agility. The game's brilliance lies in how it engages both analytical and lateral thinking, turning into a cherished daily ritual for intellectual stimulation. Accessible for free on both desktop and mobile, its convenience further fuels its massive popularity.
Guiding Hints for Today's Connections Puzzle (#946)
To nudge players in the right direction without spoiling the fun, here are the strategic hints provided for the puzzle dated January 12, 2026:
- YELLOW: As seen in a house
- GREEN: Participation ranking
- BLUE: Oath
- PURPLE: Look for cash
These clues are designed to steer your thought process towards pattern recognition, promoting logical deduction and careful grouping while preserving the core challenge.
Revealed Categories and Answers for January 12
For those who have solved the puzzle or need confirmation, here are the official connection categories and the correct groupings for NYT Connections puzzle #946.
The four categories were:
- YELLOW: LIVING ROOM FURNITURE
- GREEN: EXPERIENCE LEVELS
- BLUE: PROMISE
- PURPLE: ENDING IN U.S. COINS
The complete set of answers is:
- YELLOW: LIVING ROOM FURNITURE - ARMCHAIR, BOOKCASE, CONSOLE, FOOTSTOOL
- GREEN: EXPERIENCE LEVELS - EXPERT, INTERMEDIATE, NOVICE, PROFICIENT
- BLUE: PROMISE - AGREEMENT, COMPACT, HANDSHAKE, UNDERSTANDING
- PURPLE: ENDING IN U.S. COINS - CEFTAZIDIME, HEADQUARTER, MONEYPENNY, PUMPERNICKEL
Pro Tips to Master Any Connections Puzzle
Solving Connections efficiently requires a mix of observation and strategy. Here are some proven tips:
Begin with a broad scan of all 16 words. Often, one or two words will immediately suggest a theme, giving you a quick starting point. Resist the urge to make random guesses if connections aren't instantly clear.
Actively search for patterns. Words could relate to objects, actions, professions, or more abstract concepts. Categorizing potential themes in your mind is a key step to unlocking the grid.
Mentally assign the game's colour codes (Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple) to your suspected groups. This visual aid helps in organizing thoughts and prevents misplacing words later.
Always cross-check. If a word seems to fit in multiple potential groups, compare it carefully with other words in each set. This ensures every word finds its true thematic home.
Start by grouping the most obvious pairs or sets. Solving these first often simplifies the remaining grid, making the less apparent connections easier to spot.
By incorporating these methods, you can enhance your problem-solving approach and derive greater satisfaction from cracking each day's Connections puzzle.
