The New York Times Connections puzzle continues to challenge word lovers with clever groupings and unexpected associations. Connections #976 for February 11, 2026, offers another engaging mix of logic, vocabulary, and lateral thinking. Whether you solved it quickly or found yourself stuck on the final group, today’s puzzle requires careful observation and flexible thinking.

If you’re looking for helpful clues without spoilers, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find structured hints for each category — designed to guide you without giving away the answers.

How the NYT Connections Puzzle Works

In Connections game, you’re given 16 words. Your goal is to divide them into four groups of four, where each group shares a hidden connection. The connections may be based on:

• Meaning
• Function
• Sound
• Appearance
• Wordplay
• Common phrases

The tricky part? Many words appear to belong in multiple categories. That’s where today’s challenge lies.

First Impressions of Connections #976

Today’s puzzle feels balanced but deceptive. At first glance, several words may seem obviously connected. However, if you rush into grouping them too quickly, you might hit a mistake warning.

Connections #976 tests your ability to:

• Avoid overthinking simple patterns
• Recognize subtle word relationships
• Think beyond direct definitions

Let’s break it down with structured hints.

Yellow Group Hint (Easiest)

Start by looking for words that belong to a clear and practical theme. These words likely relate to something familiar and concrete.

Ask yourself:

• Are these items used in the same situation?
• Do they belong in the same place?
• Would you naturally list them together?

This group should stand out once you scan the full word list carefully. Focus on everyday usage rather than abstract ideas.

💡 Tip: If four words feel “normal” together without forcing the connection, you’re probably on the right track.

Green Group Hint (Moderate Difficulty)

The green category in today’s puzzle requires you to look at a shared characteristic, not necessarily their function.

Consider:

• Do these words describe something similar?
• Do they share a property or feature?
• Are they linked by behavior, appearance, or structure?

This group may not jump out immediately. You might need to eliminate one obvious group first before this one becomes clear.

💡 Strategy: After locking in the easiest group, re-read the remaining 12 words slowly.

Blue Group Hint (Trickier)

For this category, direct meaning alone won’t solve it. Instead, think about how the words are used in common expressions or phrases.

Try this:

• Add the same word before or after multiple options.
• See if a familiar phrase forms.
• Check whether the combinations sound natural.

When you find four words that pair smoothly with the same extra word, you’ve likely found your connection.

💡 This group often feels like a “click” moment once discovered.

Purple Group Hint (Hardest)

As usual, the purple category is the most creative and deceptive.

Here’s your clue:

Ignore literal meaning.
Think about how the words sound or how they are structured.

Possibilities include:

• Homophones
• Similar pronunciations
• Word fragments
• Rhyming patterns
• Double meanings

Say each word out loud. Sometimes hearing them makes the pattern clearer.

💡 Many players struggle here because they focus too much on definitions.

Common Mistakes in Connections #976

Today’s puzzle contains a few clever traps:

1. False thematic grouping – Some words appear related but actually belong in different categories.
2. Overcomplicating simple connections – Sometimes the answer is more straightforward than expected.
3. Ignoring wordplay – The hardest group is rarely about plain meaning.

If you’ve made four guesses already, pause before trying again. Re-evaluate instead of guessing randomly.

A Smart Solving Strategy for Today

If you’re stuck, try this structured method:

Step 1: Identify the Most Obvious Group

Even if you’re not 100% certain, test the most natural grouping first.

Step 2: Remove Confirmed Words

Once a group locks in, mentally remove them and look at what’s left.

Step 3: Re-Scan for Patterns

Look at the remaining words from a different angle — sound, structure, or phrase-building.

Step 4: Leave the Hardest for Last

The final four words often look unrelated at first, but once the other three groups are solved, their connection becomes clearer.

Why Connections Is So Addictive

The beauty of NYT Connections lies in its design. It blends:

• Vocabulary knowledge
• Pattern recognition
• Lateral thinking
• Creativity

Unlike crossword puzzles, you’re not filling in blanks — you’re discovering hidden relationships. That sense of discovery keeps players coming back daily.

Connections #976 is a perfect example of this balance between logic and creativity.

Final Thoughts on February 11’s Puzzle

If you solved Connections #976 quickly, congratulations — your pattern recognition skills are sharp. If it took a few attempts, don’t worry. Every puzzle improves your ability to spot subtle links.

The most important lesson from today’s game is this:

Don’t rush.
Don’t assume.
Stay flexible.

Tomorrow’s puzzle will bring new challenges, new traps, and new “aha!” moments.