NYT Strands Puzzle Stumps Players with “The Write Stuff” Theme

A new NYT Strands puzzle has been released for Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The daily word game challenges players to find words related to a specific theme. Today’s theme, “The write stuff,” has left some players searching for hints.

The New York Times confirmed the new puzzle is now live. Players must find several theme words and one Spangram.

NYT Strands Puzzle Features Uncommon Theme Words

Today’s Strands grid is a six-by-eight letter layout. The goal is to connect letters to form words. All words will relate to the day’s theme.

The Spangram is a special word that spans the grid. It connects two opposite sides. Finding it is key to solving the entire puzzle.

Players Seek Hints for “The Write Stuff” Challenge

The theme hints at writing instruments and supplies. A soft carbon writing material is one answer. A rubber tool for fixing mistakes is another.

According to The New York Times, the Spangram is vertical. It runs from the top to the bottom of the grid. It begins with the letters “PE.”

The full Spangram is PENCILMEIN. This phrase fits the writing theme perfectly. It also spans the grid vertically as described.

The complete list of theme words includes ERASER and SHARPENER. REFILL, GRAPHITE, and CEDARWOOD are also answers. These all relate to pencils and writing.

Today’s Strands Puzzle Rated as Surprisingly Easy

This puzzle has been rated a 1 out of 5 for difficulty. The low score indicates an easier-than-average challenge. Player experience may still vary.

The straightforward theme made solutions more accessible. Recognizing the pencil-related theme was the main hurdle. Once understood, the words became clearer.

Solving today’s NYT Strands puzzle required connecting common stationery items under a clever theme. The “write stuff” challenge proved manageable for most, offering a satisfying solve to start the day.

Info at your fingertips

What is the theme for today’s NYT Strands?

The theme is “The write stuff.” It focuses on items related to writing instruments and supplies.

What is the Spangram for October 28, 2025?

The Spangram is PENCILMEIN. It is a vertical word that spans the grid.

What are the theme words in today’s Strands?

The theme words are ERASER, SHARPENER, REFILL, GRAPHITE, and CEDARWOOD. All relate to pencils.

How difficult was today’s Strands puzzle?

It was rated 1 out of 5 for difficulty. This indicates it was one of the easier puzzles recently.

Where can I play old NYT Strands games?

Subscribers can access an archive of past puzzles on the NYT Games website. You can select any previous date to play.