Today’s NYT Connections puzzle features four categories that require players to identify links between seemingly unrelated words.
The groups cover stealing, pasta shapes, fictional characters named Tom, and things that can be snapped.
Players can use the hints below to solve the puzzle before checking the complete categories and answers.
The New York Times Connections puzzle for October 25, 2026, challenges players to sort 16 words into four groups of four based on their hidden connections. Some words may appear to fit multiple categories, making it important to look beyond their most obvious meanings.
Players can use the hints below for help before checking the categories and complete answers.
Players looking for clues before revealing the solutions can use these category hints:
Yellow group: Think pickpockets or burglars.
Green group: Think Italian food.
Blue group: Add Cat, Riddle, Buchanan and a tank engine to this group.
Purple group: Think Rice Krispies, attention or wish bones.
These clues point towards the four categories without immediately revealing every answer.
For players who need an extra push, one word from each category can help identify the intended connections.
Yellow group: BOOST
Green group: BOW TIE
Blue group: RIPLEY
Purple group: FINGERS
The four groups in today's puzzle are:
Yellow group: Steal
Green group: Pasta Shapes
Blue group: Fictional Toms
Purple group: Things That Can Be Snapped
Yellow group: Steal
BOOST
PALM
SWIPE
Green group: Pasta Shapes
BOW TIE
ELBOW
SHELL
WAGON WHEEL
Blue group: Fictional Toms
RIPLEY
SAWYER
SWIFT
THUMB
Purple group: Things That Can Be Snapped
FINGERS
FOOTBALL
GLOW STICK
RUBBER BAND
Today’s Connections puzzle combines everyday words with names and objects that can have multiple meanings. Words such as PALM, POCKET and SWIPE point towards stealing, while BOW TIE, ELBOW, SHELL and WAGON WHEEL refer to pasta shapes.
The fictional Toms category relies on recognizing character names, including Tom Ripley, Tom Sawyer, Tom Swift and Tom Thumb.
The purple group connects four things you can snap: fingers, a glow stick, a rubber band, and a football.
The puzzle rewards players who consider less obvious meanings and connections before committing to a category. Identifying the shared theme behind each group is the key to solving today's board.