TodayHint

Strands July 24, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1048)

Constructed by Tracy Bennett, edited by Tracy Bennett.

Recap

This puzzle featured a theme about quantities beyond requirements, with answers including various words for remaining amounts and a phrase indicating more is available.

The official theme clue

There's more where that came from

Printed above the board in the app itself that day — the line that decided which of the many words hiding in the grid actually counted.

Strands hints, one rung at a time

Six rungs, softest first. The recap above already named the answers, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying the board fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

  1. What the theme was getting at

    A reading of the theme. No answers.

    The theme is about having more than what is needed or used, often resulting in a remaining amount.

  2. The category, said plainly

    The same idea, unhedged.

    Quantities beyond requirements

  3. Board facts: how many words, how long

    Counted off the grid.

    The board was 6 letters wide and 8 tall. 6 theme answers were hidden in it, plus the spangram, which ran side to side and was 11 letters long.

    Theme word 1
    6 letters
    Theme word 2
    5 letters
    Theme word 3
    8 letters
    Theme word 4
    5 letters
    Theme word 5
    7 letters
    Theme word 6
    6 letters
    Spangram
    11 letters, side to side
    Jump to the letter board
  4. One clue per word, easiest first

    Crossword-style.

    Theme word 1 (6 letters)

    Amount beyond what is needed

    Theme word 2 (5 letters)

    Additional beyond the standard

    Theme word 3 (8 letters)

    Remaining after use or consumption

    Theme word 4 (5 letters)

    Saved for future use or emergency

    Theme word 5 (7 letters)

    More than what is required or used

    Theme word 6 (6 letters)

    Not utilized or applied

  5. First two letters of every theme word

    Enough to start tracing.

    Theme word 1
    EX… (6 letters)
    Theme word 2
    EX… (5 letters)
    Theme word 3
    LE… (8 letters)
    Theme word 4
    SP… (5 letters)
    Theme word 5
    SU… (7 letters)
    Theme word 6
    UN… (6 letters)
  6. What the spangram meant

    The long one that tied the board together.

    A phrase indicating that more is available beyond what is initially given

    It touched both edges, running side to side across all 6 columns.

    Open the full answers

The starting letter board

The grid as printed, 6 across and 8 down. Read only — reveal an answer below and this board traces it.

ATFELR
ENOSUP
SMDVSL
PTOTEU
AXRSHR
RUEANE
ENUESS
DESXCE

Every Strands answer and the spangram

Every answer from that board, folded. Opening one traces its path above — the spangram in gold.

  • Theme word 1 · 6 letters

    EXCESS

    Having more than what is needed or required

  • Theme word 2 · 5 letters

    EXTRA

    Additional amount beyond the standard or expected

  • Theme word 3 · 8 letters

    LEFTOVER

    Remaining after use or consumption, often saved

  • Theme word 4 · 5 letters

    SPARE

    Saved or set aside for future use or emergency

  • Theme word 5 · 7 letters

    SURPLUS

    Amount that exceeds what is required or used

  • Theme word 6 · 6 letters

    UNUSED

    Not utilized or applied, often remaining available

  • Spangram · 11 letters, side to side

    ANDTHENSOME

    Indicating that more is available beyond what is initially given

This puzzle by the numbers

Puzzle
(#1048) · Friday, July 24, 2026
Theme answers
6 plus the spangram
Board
6 × 8 letters
Answer lengths
5–8 letters
Spangram
11 letters, side to side
Difficulty
medium for a weekday board
Valid non-theme words
1040 accepted for hints

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