NYT Connections Answers for September 21, 2025: Hints, Themes, and Full Solution

The NYT Connections puzzle for Sunday, September 21, 2025 has been released. The daily word game asks players to group 16 words into four hidden categories. Some days are simple, but others can be tricky. Today’s board leans toward the challenging side, with a few words designed to mislead.

The game is part of the New York Times Games lineup alongside Wordle, Strands, and The Mini Crossword. Each Connections puzzle resets at midnight local time, so players get a fresh challenge every day. Many now track their streaks and compare results with friends.

NYT Connections September 21: Full Themes and Answers

The puzzle today comes with four groups. Like always, the yellow set is easiest, while the purple set is the trickiest. Below are the confirmed categories and their solutions.

Themes for September 21, 2025:

Touchscreen gestures

Relax

Restaurant seating options

Vegetables with first letter removed

Full Answers:

Touchscreen Gestures: PINCH, SCROLL, SWIPE, TAP

Relax: CHILL, LOAF, LOUNGE, VEG

Restaurant Seating Options: BAR, BOOTH, COUNTER, TABLE

Vegetables With First Letter Removed: ALE (Kale), EEK (Leek), HIVE (Chive), QUASH (Squash)

These categories highlight the variety the New York Times editors aim for. Some words look like they could belong in more than one group, which adds to the challenge. According to the Times, puzzle editor Wyna Liu curates each day’s board with a balance of accessible and clever themes.

How to Play NYT Connections

Players begin with 16 words arranged in a grid. The goal is to sort them into four correct groups of four words each. Each time you select a group, you must hit submit. If correct, the words disappear, and the category title is revealed.

You only get four mistakes before the game ends. That pressure means spotting overlaps and misdirections is key. For example, today’s word VEG could confuse players—it works as shorthand for a vegetable, but today it belongs in the “Relax” category.

Many players shuffle the board often to see patterns better. Others look for the obvious easy set first, usually yellow, and then work toward the harder purple set. This gradual process helps reduce mistakes.

Why Today’s Puzzle Stands Out

Today’s puzzle stands out because of the wordplay in the “vegetables” category. Removing the first letter from words like “Kale” and “Squash” creates unusual entries like ALE and QUASH. It is the kind of word trick that keeps long-time fans hooked.

The touchscreen gestures also reflect modern digital habits, connecting with younger players. In contrast, the restaurant seating options are more straightforward and accessible for all players. This mix shows how the puzzle team tries to balance cleverness with inclusivity.

NYT Connections continues to grow in popularity alongside other daily puzzles. Its mix of logic, wordplay, and pattern recognition makes it stand out. With categories ranging from pop culture to food to digital terms, it has something for everyone.

Today’s NYT Connections answers help show the puzzle’s balance of fun and challenge. Players who missed out today can always try again tomorrow with a fresh board.

Info at your fingertips-

Q1: What are the NYT Connections answers for September 21, 2025?

The answers are: PINCH, SCROLL, SWIPE, TAP; CHILL, LOAF, LOUNGE, VEG; BAR, BOOTH, COUNTER, TABLE; ALE, EEK, HIVE, QUASH.

Q2: What are today’s NYT Connections categories?

The categories are Touchscreen Gestures, Relax, Restaurant Seating Options, and Vegetables With First Letter Removed.

Q3: Who edits the NYT Connections puzzle?

The puzzle is edited by Wyna Liu, who has been with the New York Times Games since 2020.

Q4: What time does the Connections puzzle reset?

It resets at midnight local time every day, giving players a new puzzle to solve daily.

Q5: How many mistakes are allowed in NYT Connections?

Players are allowed four mistakes. After that, the game ends.