NYT Strands Hints and Answers: September 18, 2026 (Puzzle #929)

The New York Times Strands puzzle #929 brings a challenging board layout that might leave you searching for non-theme words just to fill your hint meter. If you want to protect your perfect streak without using up the in-game hints, we have you covered.

Below, you’ll find today’s theme clue, targeted hints for the Spangram, and the complete solution at the bottom of the page.

Today’s Strands Strategy and Commentary

Today’s board is filled with words that all refer to a formal arrangement or understanding reached between parties. The terms share similar meanings and can be easy to mix up with one another, so check each word carefully. Letters overlap in multiple directions, making it simple to find part of a word but harder to see the full pattern. Finding the Spangram first will clarify the theme and make spotting every theme word much easier.

Today’s Strands Hints

To get you started without spoiling the specific words, use these structural clues to navigate the board:

• Today’s Official Theme Clue: “Shake on it”
• Spangram Hint: It is a common phrase used when proposing or negotiating an arrangement, and it spans across the board in connected parts.
• Spangram Start/End Letters: Starts with L and ends with L, and there are 13 letters in total.

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: The Spangram answer and full list of theme words are shown below. Don’t scroll down if you still want to solve it yourself and follow the hints and clue above.

Today’s Strands Answers

Here are all the theme words found on the board:

• PACT
• TREATY
• AGREEMENT
• CONTRACT
• COVENANT

Here is my result for today’s puzzle.

Strands #929
“Shake on it”
🔵🔵🔵💡
🔵🟡🔵

Yesterday’s Answer

Catch up on yesterday’s solution. This record shows the Spangram and theme words from the previous game, so you can compare results or double-check the past grid.

Below is yesterday’s answer for NYT Strands hints & answers for puzzle #928.

• Spangram: THEFUNNYPAGES
• Theme Words: ZITS, MUTTS, ZIPPY, PEANUTS, PICKLES, BLONDIE

For older solutions, see our Strands answers archive.

How did you do?

Did you manage to find the Spangram on your very first try, or did you have to rely on filling the hint meter with unrelated words or just spot some theme words?

Let us know how many hints you used or share your thoughts on today’s theme in the comments section below.