Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Aug. 22, 2026.
Today’s Strands puzzle describes some pretty scenic locations. If you need hints and answers, read on.
Today’s Strands theme is: Peak Americana.
If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Time to climb.
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:
These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight, but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:
Today’s Strands spangram is MOUNTAINRANGE. To find it, start with the M that’s the last letter on the far-left vertical row, and wind up and over, kind of like a mountain range!
