NYT Strands Hints and Answers: August 17, 2026 (Puzzle #897)

Last updated: August 17, 2026 at 8:17 AM PHT

The New York Times Strands puzzle 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 spreads theme words across the grid in a mix of directions, so keep an eye out for words that run vertically and diagonally, not just left to right.

Several shorter theme words overlap or share letters, which can make it tricky to tell where one word ends and another begins. Spotting the Spangram first will help you map out the board and reveal the pattern connecting all the words.

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: “Parts that help you bend and move”
• Spangram Hint: It describes the connecting points in your skeleton, and it traces a path that covers much of the board.
• Spangram Start/End Letters: Starts with B and ends with S, and there are 11 letters in total.

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

NYT Strands Answers Today for August 17, 2026, Monday Puzzle #897

Here are all the remaining theme words found on the board:

• SHOULDER
• KNUCKLE
• ELBOW
• ANKLE
• WRIST
• KNEE
• NECK

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 August 16, 2026 puzzle #896.

• Spangram: JOBTRAINING
• Theme Words: APPRENTICE, PROTEGE, DISCIPLE, MENTEE, INTERN

For a complete list, visit our NYT Strands archive.

Try Today’s Other NYT Games Solutions

Finished today’s Strands? You can also check out our guides for the other daily New York Times games: Today’s Wordle and NYT Connections solutions.

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?

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