Stuck on today’s NYT Strands puzzle? You’ve come to the right place. Below you’ll find all the hints, clues, and answers for the February 17, 2026 edition of the popular New York Times word search game.
Whether you just need a nudge or want the full answer list, we’ve got everything you need to solve today’s Strands puzzle at your own pace.
What Is NYT Strands?
NYT Strands is an elevated word-search game from the New York Times. Unlike a traditional word search, letters can connect in any direction — up, down, left, right, or diagonally — and words can even change direction, creating unusual shapes.
Every single letter in the grid is used as part of an answer. The game also includes a special word called the “spangram” that spans the entire grid and reveals the day’s theme.
Compared to other NYT games like Wordle and Connections, Strands is more challenging and usually takes at least 10 minutes to complete.
Today’s NYT Strands Theme Hint (February 17, 2026)
Today’s Strands puzzle has an astrological theme. The hint for today is: “The year of the …”
All the answers in today’s puzzle are related to astrological phenomena — specifically the animals and symbols of the zodiac.
NYT Strands Spangram Hint & Answer for February 17, 2026
Spangram Direction
Today’s spangram runs horizontally across the grid.
Spangram Answer
The spangram for February 17, 2026 is: Zodiac Signs. This phrase spans the entire grid horizontally and perfectly captures the day’s theme.
All NYT Strands Answers for February 17, 2026
Here is the complete word list for today’s Strands puzzle:
- Horse
- Snake
- Goat
- Dragon
- Rabbit
- Monkey
- Tiger
- Zodiac Signs (Spangram)
Tips to Solve Today’s Strands Puzzle
If you’re tackling today’s puzzle without the answers, keep Chinese zodiac animals in mind. The theme connects directly to the traditional 12-year zodiac cycle found in East Asian astrology.
Start by locating the spangram “Zodiac Signs” first — it runs horizontally. Once you find it, the remaining letters become much easier to parse into the animal words.