SYDNEY, 16 February 2026 – The start of the work week brings a fresh challenge for word puzzle enthusiasts with the release of NYT Connections puzzle #981. As players across Australia and the globe dive into today’s 16-word grid, the difficulty curve continues to test even the most seasoned “Connectors.”
Today’s puzzle follows the standard format: four groups of four words, each sharing a distinct commonality. While some categories are straightforward word associations, others rely on puns, homophones, or niche cultural references that can easily lead to a “one away” notification.
Today’s Connections Hints: Monday, 16 February
If you are looking to preserve your streak without seeing the full answers just yet, here are some cryptic clues for today’s groupings:
- Yellow Group: Think of things that might make you burst out laughing or a reaction to a great joke.
- Green Group: These words describe things or people that act as a reflection or a copy of something else.
- Blue Group: Focus on words that can precede a specific type of “room” or “space.”
- Purple Group: This is the “tricky” category today; look for words that share a hidden prefix or a common linguistic link.
Connections Game Overview
Since its launch in June 2023, Connections has become a staple of the New York Times Games suite, alongside Wordle and the Spelling Bee. The game is edited by Wyna Liu and is designed to mislead players with “red herrings”—words that seem to fit into multiple categories.
| Category Colour | Difficulty Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Straightforward | The most obvious and direct associations. |
| Green | Intermediate | Slightly more complex or varied meanings. |
| Blue | Advanced | Often involves specific trivia or broader concepts. |
| Purple | Tricky | The most abstract, often involving wordplay or puns. |
Pro Tips for Today’s Solve
According to expert strategies shared by the NYT Games team and the player community, the best approach is to “solve mentally” before clicking. Identifying five words that seem to fit a category is a classic sign of a red herring. For today’s puzzle #981, players are advised to look closely at the Green group, as several words could easily be mistaken for simple synonyms when they actually belong to a more specific “mimicry” theme.
Public sentiment on platforms like Reddit suggests that today’s Purple category is particularly challenging, requiring a leap in logic that many might find only after eliminating the Yellow and Green groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does NYT Connections reset?
The puzzle resets daily at midnight according to your local time zone. This means players in Australia are often among the first in the world to access the new grid.
How many mistakes can I make?
Players are allowed up to four mistakes. On the fourth incorrect guess, the game ends, and the correct categories are revealed.
Is there a “Sports Edition” of Connections?
Yes, the New York Times recently introduced a Sports Edition of Connections, which follows the same rules but focuses exclusively on athletes, teams, and sporting terminology.
Can I play past puzzles?
While the official NYT app focuses on the daily puzzle, various archives and “unlimited” versions are available online for those looking to practice previous dates.