If today’s NYT Strands puzzle (Game #643) has you searching for a breakthrough, you’re not alone. The Saturday edition features an engaging fantasy-themed challenge that many players found both fun and deceptively difficult. Whether you want light hints or the full solution to secure your streak, we’ve compiled everything below.
How NYT Strands Works
Strands is one of the newest word-puzzle additions to The New York Times Games platform, joining the ranks of Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, and the Mini Crossword. Unlike traditional spelling challenges, Strands requires players to uncover hidden themed words across a letter grid.
Each puzzle includes:
A theme
Multiple related words
A spangram — a theme phrase that spans the board and connects the puzzle
Players can unlock hints by forming any unrelated valid word inside the grid. Once hints activate, the game begins revealing letters to guide players toward theme words.
NYT Strands Hints for December 6, 2025 (Game #643)
Today’s Theme
“Tolkien’s world”
Useful Words to Unlock Hints
You may type any of these to activate help in-game:
FARE, WORST, BLEED, FRIEND, WORDS, FRESH
Spangram Information
Spangram length: 11 letters
Touches: left side, 4th row — to left side, 5th row
NYT Strands Answers for December 6, 2025
Spoiler alert: final solutions ahead
Theme Words
WIZARD
HOBBIT
FOREST
QUEST
SHIRE
RING
DWARF
Spangram
MIDDLEEARTH
The puzzle is rated Hard, with the theme closely tied to author J.R.R. Tolkien and the world of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Even players unfamiliar with the franchise reported progress once spotting the spangram, which served as a major unlock point for finding the remaining theme words.
Yesterday’s Strands Recap (Game #642)
CAFE
BUFFET
STEAKHOUSE
BAKERY
BISTRO
BREWERY
Spangram: DININGOUT
Where to Play NYT Strands
Strands is available for free on the NYT Games website and mobile app. The game refreshes daily at midnight local time, ensuring continuous challenge and community excitement. Many puzzle enthusiasts pair Strands with complementary daily games such as Connections, Quordle, Wordle, and the Mini Crossword.
