NYT Strands Hints and Answers: September 19, 2026 (Puzzle #930)

The New York Times Strands puzzle #930 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 match the speech and familiar phrases associated with a classic swashbuckling character. The terms are short and share letters in tight overlapping patterns, which can make them blend together at first glance. Finding the Spangram first will make the theme clear and help you pick out each related word much faster.

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: “Speak like a seafarer”
• Spangram Hint: It is a well-known phrase linked to a fun annual observance, and it spans across the board in connected parts.
• Spangram Start/End Letters: Starts with T and ends with E, and there are 15 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:

• AVAST
• ARRR
• SAVVY
• MATEY
• HEARTIES
• YOHOHO

Here is my result for today’s puzzle.

Strands #930
“Shiver me timbers!”
🔵🔵💡🔵
🔵🔵🔵🟡

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 #929.

• Spangram: LETSMAKEADEAL
• Theme Words: PACT, TREATY, AGREEMENT, CONTRACT, COVENANT

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.