Welcome to today's NYT Connections puzzle solution! Below you'll find all the answers, hints, and explanations for the January 16, 2026 puzzle. Each group is color-coded by difficulty level, from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest).
This straightforward category connects words that kinds of hats.
This moderately easy category connects words that components of a kid's bedtime routine.
This challenging category connects words that musical acts with "a" as the only vowel.
This most difficult category connects words that grand ___.
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle where you need to find groups of four words that share something in common. Here are some tips:
Today's puzzle featured these 16 words: DERBY, FEDORA, PANAMA, PORKPIE, BATH, BRUSHING, PAJAMAS, STORY, ALABAMA, BANANARAMA, KANSAS, SANTANA, BAHAMA, CANYON, PIANO, SLAM
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle game by The New York Times. Players must identify four groups of four words that share a common theme. The categories range from straightforward (yellow) to tricky wordplay (purple). Each puzzle has exactly one solution, and you have four mistakes before the game ends.
New puzzles are released daily at midnight ET. Come back tomorrow for the next puzzle solution!