NYT Connections · Puzzle #1206
Connections hints — Thursday, July 9, 2026
Need a nudge on this Connections grid without wrecking the fun? Work down the ladder below: start with a single word from each group, reveal a category theme only if you’re still stuck, and open the full answers as a last resort. Nothing is spoiled until you tap it.
Hint 1: one word from each group
Start here if you just need a foothold. These four words are not in the same group as each other.
- Yellow: one of the words in this group is VIRGIN
- Green: one of the words in this group is SPIN
- Blue: one of the words in this group is THROW
- Purple: one of the words in this group is FIREBIRD
Hint 2: today’s category themes
Tap a color to reveal only that group’s theme. Reveal one at a time and go back to your grid before opening the next.
Yellow group theme (the easiest group)
The connection is: Non-Alcoholic Designators
Green group theme (the second-easiest group)
The connection is: Music Publications
Blue group theme (the trickier group)
The connection is: Kinds Of Rugs
Purple group theme (the hardest group, usually wordplay)
The connection is: Pontiac Models
Today’s Connections answers
Full spoilers below. Tap a group to reveal its four words.
Yellow: Non-Alcoholic Designators
VIRGIN, NA, ZERO-PROOF, SPIRIT-FREE
Green: Music Publications
SPIN, ROLLING STONE, BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK
Blue: Kinds Of Rugs
THROW, PRAYER, PERSIAN, SHAG
Purple: Pontiac Models
FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, TRANS AM
How to get better at Connections
- Find the trap first. Every puzzle plants words that fit two groups. Before guessing, spot the word that could belong to multiple categories — the purple group usually claims it.
- Work backwards from purple. If four words share an obvious theme, be suspicious: the easy read is often the misdirect. Lock in the wordplay group first when you can see it.
- Use your one-away wisely. A “one away” result tells you three of the four are right. Swap your least-confident word, not a random one.
- Say the words out loud. Homophone and hidden-word categories (a purple favorite) are far easier to hear than to see.
Connections FAQ
What time does a new Connections puzzle come out?
A new puzzle releases at midnight in your local time zone, every day. We publish hints for puzzle #1207 shortly after midnight Eastern Time.
How do the four difficulty colors work?
Yellow is the most straightforward group, followed by green, then blue. Purple is the hardest and usually involves wordplay — homophones, hidden words, or words that precede/follow a common word.
How many mistakes are allowed in Connections?
Four. After four wrong guesses the puzzle ends and the answers are revealed. Using the hints above one rung at a time is the best way to protect your streak without spoiling the whole grid.
Where can I find hints for previous puzzles?
Every day’s hints and answers stay up permanently in our Connections hint archive.
Stuck on other word games too? Our free word unscrambler checks every word your letters can make, instantly and privately in your browser.