The Connections puzzle is very popular right now. Many people search for “Forbes Connections Puzzle Hint” every day to get help. Forbes writers like Paul Tassi and Kris Holt make special articles with gentle hints, clues, and full answers for the daily puzzle. Their posts help millions keep their winning streaks going.
But Connections is not a Forbes game. It is made by The New York Times (NYT). Forbes just writes good guides to make it easier for everyone. In this long guide, you will learn everything about the game in very easy words. You will get simple rules, best ways to play, smart tips, common mistakes to avoid, why the game is so fun, and how to use Forbes hints the right way. Read this and you will solve puzzles much better.
What Exactly Is the Connections Puzzle?
Connections is a fun word game from The New York Times. Every day, a new puzzle comes out at midnight New York time (that is early morning in many places).
You see a square grid with 16 different words. These words look mixed up. Your job is to find four secret groups. Each group has exactly four words that connect in some special way.
When you pick the right four words and press submit, they go away and show a color and a small title for the group. The colors tell you the difficulty:
- Yellow = easiest group
- Green = a bit harder
- Blue = medium hard
- Purple = the trickiest one (often has word play, jokes, or clever links)
You get four chances to make wrong guesses. If you use all four mistakes, the game ends and you lose that day. But most people finish without losing if they think carefully.
The game is free to play on the New York Times website or in their Games app. No need to pay for basic play.
How to Play Connections Step by Step
Playing is simple once you know these steps.
You will see 16 words in four rows.
Look at them slowly. Do not rush.
Click on four words that you think belong together.
Then click the Submit button.
If correct: the words vanish, show the color, and maybe a fun category name like “Types of fruit” or “Things that are sweet.”
If wrong: you lose one mistake. A red “X” shows up.
Keep going until you find all four groups.
You can press the Shuffle button to mix the words again. This helps your eyes see new pairs.
There is no time limit, so take your time and enjoy.
Why Forbes Connections Hints Are So Helpful
Every day, Forbes publishes a new article like “NYT Connections Hints Today” with the date and puzzle number.
Writers Paul Tassi (often for weekends) and Kris Holt (many weekdays) give:
- Gentle hints without spoiling everything right away
- One-word clues for each group (like “Yellow group — something about music”)
- Full answers lower down with big spoiler warnings
People love these because they are quick to read, honest, and help when you are stuck on one hard group. Searching “Forbes Connections Puzzle Hint” or “Forbes Connections today” usually brings their latest post first.
But the best way is to try the puzzle yourself first, then check Forbes only if needed. That keeps the fun and helps your brain grow.
Best Tips and Strategies to Win More Often
Here are simple but powerful tips that good players use every day.
Look at every word two or three times before you click anything. Read them out loud sometimes — it helps your brain find links.
Find easy pairs first. If two words clearly go together (like “apple” and “banana” for fruits), search for the other two that match.
Look for common types of groups. Many puzzles have:
- Kinds of animals or pets
- Colors or shades
- Things you find in a house room (kitchen, bedroom)
- Words that mean the same thing (synonyms like big, large, huge)
- Famous people or character names
- Words that sound the same (like “pair” and “pear”)
- Brands of things
- Actions or verbs
- Parts of clothing or body
Purple groups are often the sneakiest. They can use double meanings, puns, or phrases like “things you kick” (can mean foot or complain).
Solve yellow and green first. When only eight words are left, blue and purple become easier to see.
If the game says “One away!” after a guess, it means three words are right and one is wrong. Change only one word and try again.
Shuffle the board a few times. Sometimes words hide in bad spots.
Do not burn mistakes fast. Think hard before every submit. Four mistakes go quick if you guess too much.
Take a short break if stuck. Come back with fresh eyes — often you see the link right away.
Practice daily. The more you play, the faster you spot patterns.
Common Mistakes Players Make and How to Fix Them
Even good players make mistakes. Here are the top ones and easy fixes.
Mistake: Jumping to a group too fast without checking others. Fix: Look for the most obvious group first. Clear it away so the board gets smaller.
Mistake: Forcing words that “almost” fit but not really. Fix: If it feels strange, leave it and look somewhere else.
Mistake: Ignoring words with more than one meaning. Fix: Many words can be noun and verb (like “bank” = river side or money place). Think of both.
Mistake: Not shuffling enough. Fix: Hit shuffle 2–3 times at the start. It breaks tricks the game designer sets.
Mistake: Getting upset after a mistake and guessing wild. Fix: Stay calm. Laugh at the tricky purple group. Tomorrow is a new puzzle.
Mistake: Reading hints too early and spoiling the fun. Fix: Solve as much as you can alone first.
Why Connections Became So Popular in 2025 and 2026
Connections started a few years ago but really grew big. By 2025 and now in 2026, millions play it every single day.
Why do so many people love it?
It is fast — most people finish in 5 to 15 minutes. No pressure from a timer. It makes your brain think in fun ways. You feel smart when you get purple right. People share wins on social media like “4/4 today!” or post sad faces for hard days. There is now a Sports Edition too, with words about teams, players, and games.
Forbes helps a lot by writing daily guides. Their articles get millions of views because they are clear and kind.
The game also helps your mind stay sharp. Word games like this are good for memory, focus, and quick thinking — even doctors say so.
How to Use Forbes Hints the Smart and Safe Way
When you search for help, follow these steps:
- Play the puzzle first on the official NYT site. Try hard.
- If stuck on one group, search “Forbes Connections Puzzle Hint” plus today’s date.
- Read the gentle hints first (like “Think about things you wear on your head”).
- Try to solve with that clue.
- Only scroll to answers if you really cannot get it (they warn about spoilers).
- After you finish, read the full Forbes article to see why the groups work.
This way you learn and still have fun.
Extra Tricks for Very Hard Puzzle Days
Some days the puzzle feels impossible. Use these extra ideas:
- Write all 16 words on paper. Draw lines between words you think match.
- Ask: “What words do NOT belong anywhere?” This helps see the odd ones.
- Think about categories from movies, songs, books, sports, food, travel.
- For purple: think funny, silly, or word jokes.
- Say words out loud slowly. Pause after each one.
- If last eight words, try combinations carefully (you can test without losing too many lives if smart).
Past puzzles had fun groups like words for “small amounts,” types of dances, things that “run,” or names that sound like numbers.
See? Links can be normal or very clever.
Good Things You Get from Playing Connections Every Day
This game gives more than just fun.
- You learn new words and meanings.
- Your brain gets faster at seeing patterns.
- It is a nice morning or evening habit.
- You can talk about it with family or friends.
- Winning feels great and makes you happy.
- It keeps your mind active when you grow older.
Many people say it is their favorite daily game after Wordle.
Final Words – Go Play and Enjoy!
Connections is about enjoying words and having a little challenge. Some days are easy. Some days purple tricks everyone. That is normal and part of the fun.
Use this guide to get much better. Check Forbes each day for extra help from good writers. But always try yourself first — that is where the real joy comes from.
Now open today’s puzzle. Look at those 16 words. Find the groups. Keep your streak alive.
You can do it! Have fun every day with Connections.
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About the Author
Mary Correa is a content writer with 9 years of experience. She loves writing about luxury villas and travel. Her articles are easy to read and full of exciting ideas. Mary helps readers discover amazing places to visit and stay. When she’s not writing, she enjoys exploring new destinations.
