NYT Connections Today: Hints and Answers for June 18, 2026

Happy Thursday, puzzle lovers! If you’ve just opened today’s NYT Connections and felt a momentary sense of panic, don't worry—you aren't alone. Today's grid, curated by Wyna Liu, is a delightful mix of physical fitness, historical icons, and a very sneaky wordplay category that might have you scratching your head.

Whether you are looking for a gentle NYT Connections hint to get you over the hump or the full answer for 2026-06-18, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the solve!

Today's Hints to Get You Started

Before we reveal the groups, here are some nudges to help you solve it on your own:

1. Yellow Group: Think about your local gym's weekly schedule.
2. Green Group: This is all about "vibes" and how someone presents themselves to the world.
3. Blue Group: These four individuals changed the course of history through non-violence.
4. Purple Group: Read these words out loud. Do they feel like they’re missing something at the end?

Yellow: Fitness Class Types

This category was relatively straightforward if you’ve ever stepped foot in a boutique fitness studio or a YMCA.

• AEROBICS: High-energy cardio often set to music.
• BARRE: A workout inspired by ballet positions (watch out, this was a distractor for the Purple group!).
• BOOTCAMP: A high-intensity interval training class.
• PILATES: A system of exercises designed to improve physical strength and flexibility.

The Answer: AEROBICS, BARRE, BOOTCAMP, PILATES

Green: Demeanor

These four words are synonyms for how a person carries themselves or the aura they project.

• ATTITUDE: A settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something.
• BEARING: A person's way of standing or moving.
• CARRIAGE: The manner in which one holds their body; posture.
• PRESENCE: The impressive manner or appearance of a person.

The Answer: ATTITUDE, BEARING, CARRIAGE, PRESENCE

Blue: Peace Activists

This group features some of the most influential figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. If you recognized two of them, the others likely fell into place quickly.

• GANDHI: Leader of the Indian independence movement.
• KING: Martin Luther King Jr., the American Civil Rights leader.
• MANDELA: Anti-apartheid revolutionary and President of South Africa.
• TUTU: Desmond Tutu, the Anglican bishop known for his human rights work.

The Answer: GANDHI, KING, MANDELA, TUTU

Purple: Tools Minus Last Two Letters

As always, the Purple category is the trickiest. This one used a "truncated word" gimmick. At first glance, PLIE looks like the ballet move (pairing with BARRE), and WREN looks like the bird. But when you add two letters back to each...

• HAMM(-ER): A common tool for nails.
• JIGS(-AW): A power tool for cutting curves.
• PLIE(-RS): A tool used to hold objects firmly.
• WREN(-CH): A tool used for gripping and turning nuts and bolts.

The Answer: HAMM, JIGS, PLIE, WREN

Summary for June 18, 2026

If you struggled with today's puzzle, the "PLIE" / "BARRE" overlap was likely the culprit! Connections loves to throw in those red herrings to make you use your precious four mistakes.

How did you do? Did the Peace Activists jump out at you, or did the missing letters in the tools trip you up?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is a daily word game from The New York Times where players must find groups of four items that share something in common. Players have four lives to find the four hidden categories.

When does the new NYT Connections puzzle come out?

A new puzzle is released every day at midnight in your local time zone.

What do the colors in Connections mean?

The colors represent the difficulty level of the category:

• Yellow: Most straightforward/easiest.
• Green: Common words or clear synonyms.
• Blue: More abstract or specific knowledge required.
• Purple: The trickiest, often involving wordplay or puns.

Where can I play NYT Connections?

You can play it for free on the New York Times Games website or through the NYT Games app on iOS and Android.