Honestly, staring at a blank grid of letters at midnight can feel like a personal attack. You've probably been there. You open up NYT Strands January 24, see a cryptic theme, and suddenly your brain decides it no longer knows how to spell basic English words. It's that specific brand of frustration only the New York Times games can deliver.
But here is the thing about today's puzzle. Most people dive in looking for the longest words first, thinking that’s the shortcut. It isn’t. Today’s grid is a bit of a trickster, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll burn through your mental energy before you even touch the spangram.
The Vibe of Today's Puzzle
The theme for NYT Strands January 24 is "Get smart."
Now, if you're like me, your first thought might have been spies. You know, Maxwell Smart, Agent 99, the whole shoe-phone aesthetic? I spent a solid two minutes trying to find "CONTROL" or "KAOS" before I realized I was barking up the wrong tree entirely.
This puzzle isn't about 1960s sitcoms. It’s about the brain. Specifically, it’s about all those different ways we describe someone who’s actually got their act together intellectually. It’s meta, really. You have to be smart to find the words for being smart.
Hints That Won't Ruin the Fun
If you’re stuck but don’t want the full answer list yet, I’ve got you.
- Hint 1: Look for synonyms of "intelligent."
- Hint 2: There is a "Q" on the board. In any word game, a Q is a gift or a curse. Here, it’s a massive signpost for one of the shorter theme words.
- Hint 3: The spangram is two words mashed together, and it's basically what you'll say once you finally see it.
The layout today is a bit vertical. If you find yourself struggling in the corners, try moving toward the center to see if you can bridge the gap between the left and right sides.
💡 You might also like: gta 5 for free download android: The Truth About Why You Can’t Find It
Why This Specific Puzzle Matters
There's a psychological phenomenon called the "Aha!" moment. It's that literal spark of dopamine when your brain connects two disparate points. Today’s NYT Strands January 24 puzzle is designed to trigger that repeatedly.
Unlike Connections, where you can get punished for "red herring" guesses, Strands is more forgiving. You can hunt for non-theme words to build up your hint meter. I actually found "BRAIN" and "EINSTEIN" while playing—neither was a theme word. Kind of ironic, right?
The developers at the NYT, like Tracy Bennett and the rest of the crew, are masters at this. They know that a word like "BRILLIANT" feels better to find than a word like "CAT." It’s about the ego. They’re playing with us.
NYT Strands January 24: The Answers
Okay, if you’re tired of the "scenic route" and just want to keep your streak alive, here is the breakdown.
The spangram for today is THATSGENIUS. It runs through the middle of the board, connecting the top-ish area down toward the bottom.
The other theme words you’re looking for are:
- QUICK (there’s that Q I mentioned)
- BRIGHT
- CLEVER
- BRILLIANT
- INTELLIGENT
It’s a relatively short list today, which usually means the words themselves are longer or have more complex "snake-like" paths on the grid. "INTELLIGENT" is a beast to trace if you don't see the starting "I" immediately.
👉 See also: UFC 5 on PC: What Most People Get Wrong
Strategy for Future Grids
Don't just click randomly. Seriously.
When you see a theme like "Get smart," think of the category first. Is it a literal instruction? Is it a pop culture reference? Is it a specific list?
For NYT Strands January 24, the strategy was purely linguistic. Once you found "QUICK," the rest of the "smart" synonyms should have started popping out like neon signs.
If you're really hitting a wall, find any four-letter word. Any of them. "TENT," "RAIN," "HILL"—whatever is there. Three of those give you a hint. There is no shame in using the hint system; that’s why the lightbulb is there.
👉 See also: The Strongest Battleground Script: Why You Might Want to Think Twice Before Using One
The real trick to mastering Strands is the spangram. It always touches two opposite sides. If you can't find it, look for a word that seems to "wall off" a section of the board. That’s usually your path.
How to Keep Your Streak Alive
If you've made it through today, you're safe for another 24 hours. Tomorrow will likely be something entirely different—maybe something about geography or breakfast cereal. That’s the beauty of the game.
To get better at this, you should:
- Scan for rare letters: X, Q, Z, and J are usually part of the theme or the spangram. They are rarely "filler" in the NYT's curated grids.
- Say the theme out loud: Sometimes hearing "Get smart" helps you associate words differently than just reading it.
- Work the edges: Start with letters that only have one or two neighbors. They have to go somewhere.
For those of you who finished NYT Strands January 24 without any hints: honestly, congrats. You've earned the right to feel a little smug for the rest of the day. For everyone else, there's always tomorrow's reset.
Go ahead and lock in those words. Once you submit the final one, the board will turn into that satisfying gold and blue mosaic. Take a screenshot, share it with your group chat, and get on with your Saturday.