NYT Connections Answer

Welcome to another daily breakdown of the NYT Connections puzzle! If you found yourself caught in a bit of a web today, don't worry—you aren't alone. Today’s puzzle, the answer for 2026-04-20, offered a nice mix of literal groupings and some trivia-based categories that required a bit of specialized knowledge.

Whether you are looking for a gentle NYT Connections hint to get you over the hump or you just want to see the full solution, we’ve got you covered.

Today's Connections Strategy

At first glance, today's board looked relatively friendly. Words like "ROD," "NET," and "HOOK" immediately scream one thing, while "CLOUD" and "PUFF" suggest something else entirely. The real challenge today was the "Blue" category, which required a little bit of biology knowledge, and the "Purple" category, which is the classic "fill-in-the-blank" style we’ve come to expect from editor Wyna Liu.

Group 1: Mass of Smoke (Yellow)

This group was the most straightforward of the bunch. These words describe the various shapes and volumes smoke can take as it rises into the air.

• Hint: Think about what you see rising from a chimney or a campfire.
• The Answer: BILLOW, CLOUD, PLUME, PUFF

Why they fit: Each of these words is a noun (or sometimes a verb) used to describe a visible collection of smoke, vapor, or gas. A "billow" is a large mass, while a "puff" is just a small burst.

Group 2: Fishing Gear (Green)

If you've ever spent a quiet morning on a lake, this category probably jumped out at you immediately.

• Hint: These are the essential items you would pack in a tackle box or take on a boat to catch dinner.
• The Answer: BAIT, HOOK, NET, ROD

Why they fit: These are the primary tools of the trade for angling. You need the rod and hook to catch the fish, the bait to attract them, and often a net to pull them out of the water safely.

Group 3: Associated with Black Widow Spiders (Blue)

This is where the puzzle got a bit more "venomous." If you aren't a fan of creepy-crawlies, this might have been a tougher connection to make.

• Hint: All of these relate to a specific, famous, and dangerous species of arachnid.
• The Answer: CANNIBALISM, HOURGLASS, VENOM, WEB

Why they fit: Black widow spiders are famous for their "hourglass" marking, their potent "venom," and their "webs." The word "cannibalism" refers to the well-known (though sometimes exaggerated) tendency of the females to eat the males after mating.

Group 4: ___ Monday (Purple)

The purple category is usually the trickiest, and today was no exception. It relies on your ability to find a common word that follows each of these terms.

• Hint: These are all "types" of a certain day of the week.
• The Answer: BLUE, CYBER, MANIC, MEATLESS

Why they fit: Each word is a famous prefix for "Monday."

• Blue Monday: Often cited as the most depressing day of the year in January.
• Cyber Monday: The massive online shopping day after Thanksgiving.
• Manic Monday: The classic hit song by The Bangles.
• Meatless Monday: The popular health and environmental campaign.

Summary for 2026-04-20

Today’s puzzle was a fun journey from the lake to the spider's den. If you started with the Fishing Gear (Green) and the Smoke (Yellow), you were likely left with a mix of spider facts and "Monday" adjectives. The "Hourglass" and "Manic" words were the likely sticking points for most players today!

Hopefully, this guide helped you keep your winning streak alive. Check back tomorrow for more hints and solutions!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you play NYT Connections?

In Connections, you are presented with a grid of 16 words. Your goal is to group them into four sets of four based on a common theme. Each group is color-coded by difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (hardest). You have four lives; if you make four mistakes, the game ends.

When does the NYT Connections reset?

The puzzle resets every day at midnight in your local time zone. This allows players all over the world to enjoy the "daily" aspect of the game as soon as their day begins.

Can there be more than one correct answer?

While some words might seem to fit in multiple categories (these are called "red herrings"), there is only one unique solution where every word fits into exactly one group of four.

Who is the editor of NYT Connections?

The game is currently edited by Wyna Liu, who is known for her clever wordplay and sometimes devious "Purple" categories!