Daily puzzle hints and answers · Thursday, November 5, 2026 · Puzzle #1243
NYT Connections Hints Today
Sort sixteen words into four sets of four. Use the color-group hints when you need a nudge, or try the practice board before revealing the category names. The hints and full answers stay behind separate reveals, so you can take only the help you need.
Reveal panels control what is shown on screen. The puzzle data is included in this static page so the practice board can check groups in your browser.
Interactive practice board · #1243
Group the 16 words
Select four words that share a connection, then check your group. This practice board runs locally and does not submit anything to the NYT game.
Choose four words to test a possible connection. You have four mistakes available in this round.
Spoiler-controlled clues
Hints for each Connections group
Start with a gentle nudge. Open the stronger hint, category name and individual answers only when you are ready.
yellow group Open hints
Gentle hint
Think about styles of footwear, especially the part that lifts or supports the back of a shoe.
Show a stronger hint
Each answer names a different heel construction or shape.
Reveal the category name
KINDS OF HEELS
Reveal the four answers
- KITTEN
- PLATFORM
- SPIKE
- WEDGE
Each term can describe a heel style: a low kitten heel, a raised platform, a narrow spike or a solid wedge.
green group Open hints
Gentle hint
Look for names you might find in a garden or floral arrangement.
Show a stronger hint
All four are flowering plants, including one commonly grown in water.
Reveal the category name
FLOWERS
Reveal the four answers
- ANEMONE
- LOTUS
- NARCISSUS
- ROSE
Anemone, lotus, narcissus and rose are all names of flowering plants.
blue group Open hints
Gentle hint
Compare the outlines of the objects rather than what they are used for.
Show a stronger hint
Each has a rounded or bulbous end that narrows toward the other end.
Reveal the category name
TEARDROP-SHAPED THINGS
Reveal the four answers
- PEAR
- RAINDROP
- SPEEDBAG
- UVULA
A pear, raindrop, hanging speedbag and uvula share a rounded lower portion with a narrower upper connection.
purple group Open hints
Gentle hint
The link is a small spelling change, not a shared meaning of the visible words.
Show a stronger hint
Change the final letter of a spirit's name to get each word on the board.
Reveal the category name
LIQUORS WITH LAST LETTERS CHANGED
Reveal the four answers
- BRANDO
- GIG
- RUN
- WHISKER
BRANDY becomes BRANDO, GIN becomes GIG, RUM becomes RUN and WHISKEY becomes WHISKER after changing the final letter.
How to approach puzzle #1243
Look for a group that has one clear shared rule, then test all four words against that rule before submitting. The board is designed to include words that could plausibly fit more than one idea, so an attractive three-word match is not always complete.
How to avoid a near miss
Before submitting, check that all four words fit the same rule. A group that explains three words well but needs an exception for the fourth is probably not complete. When several themes seem possible, look for the most precise shared relationship.
How this page works
The practice board checks each group in your browser. Solved groups move out of the board, and the color-group panels let you reveal hints, category names and answers at your own pace. Restarting clears the local practice round.
Wordle Hint is an independent puzzle helper. It is not affiliated with The New York Times. The puzzle title and game name are used only to identify the puzzle being discussed.
Puzzle number, sixteen entries and four category groupings were cross-checked against independent daily puzzle coverage. Hints and group explanations on this site are original. Source: Puzzle data source 1, Puzzle data source 2, Puzzle data source 3
NYT Connections hints questions
What are today’s NYT Connections hints?
Each color group has a gentle clue, a stronger nudge, a category reveal and four separate answer reveals. Open only the group you need help with.
How can I reveal a Connections category and its words?
Open a color-group panel, then choose whether to reveal the category name or its four words. The answers are not displayed in the page summary.
How many mistakes can I make on the practice board?
The practice board tracks up to four incorrect guesses in a round. You can restart the board and try again, or use the color-group hint panels.
Does the practice board submit answers to the New York Times?
No. Group selections are checked locally in your browser. They are not sent to the New York Times or stored on a server.
When does the next Connections puzzle appear?
The daily puzzle changes at midnight in the puzzle’s local release schedule. This page uses the US Eastern calendar date when selecting its stored record.