Strands September 15, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1115)
Recap
This puzzle required finding various construction-related terms and a spangram that ties them together. Solvers had to identify terms like anchor, bolt, and screw, and understand their roles in building and construction. The puzzle's theme, 'If you build it,' guided solvers toward finding the correct answers.
The official theme clue
If you build it
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.
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Hint 1: What the theme was getting at
A reading of the theme. No answers.
The theme is about constructing or building something, focusing on the tools and parts used.
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Hint 2: The category, said plainly
The same idea, unhedged.
Category related to building and construction materials or tools.
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Hint 3: Board facts: how many words, how long
Counted off the grid.
The board was 6 letters wide and 8 tall. 8 theme answers were hidden in it, plus the spangram, which ran side to side and was 8 letters long.
- Theme word 1
- 4 letters
- Theme word 2
- 4 letters
- Theme word 3
- 5 letters
- Theme word 4
- 6 letters
- Theme word 5
- 4 letters
- Theme word 6
- 5 letters
- Theme word 7
- 5 letters
- Theme word 8
- 7 letters
- Spangram
- 8 letters, side to side
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Hint 4: One clue per word, easiest first
Crossword-style.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
Thin metal spike used for joining wood
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
Type of fastener used in construction
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
Fastener used to join materials together
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
Device used to secure objects in place
Theme word 5 (4 letters)
Rounded handle or control device
Theme word 6 (5 letters)
Jointed device for connecting moving parts
Theme word 7 (5 letters)
Horizontal structural element in building floors
Theme word 8 (7 letters)
Support or connector used in construction
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Hint 5: First two letters of every theme word
Enough to start tracing.
- Theme word 1
- NA… (4 letters)
- Theme word 2
- BO… (4 letters)
- Theme word 3
- SC… (5 letters)
- Theme word 4
- AN… (6 letters)
- Theme word 5
- KN… (4 letters)
- Theme word 6
- HI… (5 letters)
- Theme word 7
- JO… (5 letters)
- Theme word 8
- BR… (7 letters)
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Hint 6: What the spangram meant
The long one that tied the board together.
Term that encompasses various tools and materials used for building and construction purposes.
It touched both edges, running side to side across all 6 columns.
The starting letter board
The grid as printed, 6 across and 8 down. Read only — reveal an answer below and this board traces it.
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
ANCHOR
An anchor is a device used to secure objects in place, often in construction or marine settings.
Theme word 2 · 4 letters
BOLT
A bolt is a type of fastener used in construction to hold materials together securely.
Theme word 3 · 7 letters
BRACKET
A bracket is a support or connector used in construction to hold objects in place.
Theme word 4 · 5 letters
HINGE
A hinge is a jointed device that connects moving parts, allowing for flexibility in construction.
Theme word 5 · 5 letters
JOIST
A joist is a horizontal structural element used in building floors and ceilings.
Theme word 6 · 4 letters
KNOB
A knob is a rounded handle or control device often used in construction for easy operation.
Theme word 7 · 4 letters
NAIL
A nail is a thin metal spike used for joining wood and other materials together.
Theme word 8 · 5 letters
SCREW
A screw is a fastener used to join materials together by applying rotational force.
Spangram · 8 letters, side to side
HARDWARE
Hardware refers to the tools and materials used in construction and building projects.
This puzzle by the numbers
- Puzzle
- (#1115) · Tuesday, September 15, 2026
- Theme answers
- 8 plus the spangram
- Board
- 6 × 8 letters
- Answer lengths
- 4–7 letters
- Spangram
- 8 letters, side to side
- Difficulty
- medium for a weekday board
- Valid non-theme words
- 645 accepted for hints
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