You’ve been there. It’s 11:30 PM, the blue light from your phone is searing your retinas, and you’re staring at a grid of 16 words that make absolutely zero sense together. You need that 10 out of 10 NYT feeling. The perfection. The "No Mistakes" social media share that makes you look like a literal genius to your aunt on Facebook.
Getting a perfect score on New York Times games—specifically the high-stakes Connections or the daily Crossword—is becoming the new digital status symbol. It’s not just about knowing words. Honestly, it’s about outsmarting a group of editors whose entire job is to lead you down a dark alley and take your lunch money.
The Myth of the Easy Win
Is it actually possible to get a 10 out of 10 every single day?
Technically, yes. Practically? Good luck. The NYT Games app has evolved into a beast. We aren't just talking about Wordle anymore. We're talking about Connections, Strands, The Mini, and the heavy-hitting Crossword.
When people talk about a 10 out of 10 NYT performance, they’re usually referring to a "Perfect Game" in Connections. That means finding all four categories without a single incorrect guess. The game gives you 16 words. You have to group them into fours. Sounds easy, right?
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It’s a trap.
The editors, like Wyna Liu, are masters of the "Red Herring." They’ll throw in four words that look like they belong to a "Types of Bread" category (Rye, Wheat, Pumpernickel, Roll). You click them. You're wrong. It turns out "Roll" was actually part of a "Words that follow 'Drum'" category. You just wasted a life. Your 10 out of 10 is gone.
Why 10 out of 10 NYT Scores Are Getting Rarer
The difficulty curve has shifted. Back in 2023, the puzzles felt a bit more linear. Now, in 2026, the complexity is through the roof.
The "Purple Category" in Connections is notoriously brutal. Sometimes it's "Words that are also silent film stars" or "Things you can do with a paperclip." There is no logic until the very last second when your brain finally clicks.
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- The Overlap: Editors intentionally use words that fit in three different places.
- The Vibe: Sometimes a category isn't a definition; it's a "vibe" or a linguistic pun.
- The Culture Gap: If you don't know 1970s jazz or Gen Z slang, you're toast.
How to Actually Secure the Perfect Score
If you want that 10 out of 10 NYT streak, you have to stop playing with your gut. You have to play with a system.
First, never submit your first thought. If you see four colors, wait. Look for a fifth color. If there’s a fifth word that fits, the "Color" category is a distraction. The game is testing your restraint, not just your vocabulary.
Second, use the "Shuffle" button. It’s there for a reason. Our brains get stuck in spatial patterns. If "Apple" and "Microsoft" are sitting next to each other, you’ll mentally group them as "Tech." Shuffle them to opposite corners and suddenly you might notice "Apple" belongs with "Pie" and "Cider."
Third, walk away. Seriously. If you’re one guess away from failing, put the phone down. Your subconscious mind keeps working on the puzzle while you’re doing the dishes or driving. You’ll have a "Eureka" moment at a red light. It happens all the time.
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The Stats Behind the Perfection
Most regular players boast a win rate of about 60-70%. Achieving a 10 out of 10—meaning a 100% efficiency rating over a week—puts you in the top 1% of the puzzle-solving community.
Data from various puzzle trackers shows that the "Blue" and "Purple" categories are where most streaks go to die. The "Yellow" (easiest) and "Green" (medium) are usually straightforward, but they are often used as bait to make you use up your four allowed mistakes early.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Game
To boost your chances of hitting that elusive 10 out of 10 NYT tomorrow morning, try these specific tactics:
- The "One-Away" Rule: If the game tells you you're "One away," stop immediately. Don't just swap one word and hit submit again. Analyze the remaining 12 words to see if the one you're missing is actually hiding in plain sight.
- Speak it Out Loud: Sometimes saying the words helps you hear the connection. "Lead" and "Read" look different but sound the same (or vice versa), which is a classic NYT trick.
- Check the Date: Sunday puzzles are notoriously harder and more "punny." If it's a Sunday, double your thinking time.
- Ignore the Timer: Unless you’re competing in a speed-run, the clock is your enemy. Accuracy is the only thing that matters for a perfect score.
The 10 out of 10 NYT isn't just about being smart. It's about being patient. Most people fail because they rush the "Easy" categories. Treat every word like it's a potential lie, and you'll find your streak starts growing.
Go open the app. Take a breath. Look for the trap before you look for the answer. That’s how you win.