Today’s NYT Strands Hints and Answers for September 13, 2025

The New York Times Strands puzzle for September 13, 2025, is live. Puzzle number 559 brings a theme that many players will find both playful and challenging. The theme is “Better than good.”

The clue that points to the solution is tied to a famous catchphrase: “Tony the Tiger says this.” That should give fans a strong hint about where to start. The answers connect directly to the word “great,” and the spangram confirms it.

According to reports from CNET and other outlets, the puzzle once again blends fun with a bit of head-scratching logic. Many players enjoy the mix of simple clue words with hidden longer connections.

NYT Strands Puzzle #559: Theme and Spangram

The Strands puzzle today uses a playful theme. The spangram is THEYREGREAT. This stretches across the board and confirms the theme clue.

Each of the puzzle’s hidden words pairs with “great.” For example, Great Plains or great aunt. Other answers include APES, AUNTS, LAKES, MINDS, PLAINS, and EXPECTATIONS.

To uncover hints, players can form smaller words. Words like SEAT, PLATE, NUTS, or GRAM can unlock hints by meeting the four-letter minimum rule. These help guide players toward the bigger theme words.

Sources like Reuters note that the NYT Strands game has quickly become a daily routine for puzzle fans. It mixes knowledge with lateral thinking. Today’s game proves that even a simple theme can be tricky to decode.

How to Play and Why It Matters

Strands challenges players to find hidden theme words on a letter grid. Every three smaller words discovered unlocks a new hint. The goal is to solve the full set, including the spangram, until every letter on the board is used.

The reason today’s puzzle stands out is its mix of pop culture and language. The phrase “They’re great” connects to a well-known ad slogan while still fitting within the game’s wordplay style.

For players, the fun lies in the “aha” moment. Once you spot the spangram, the rest of the puzzle falls into place. It also sparks conversation across puzzle communities, as people share their solving paths and toughest finds.

Today’s NYT Strands hints give players a fair shot. The answers are clever but accessible. The spangram “THEYREGREAT” makes this one memorable.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the NYT Strands theme for September 13, 2025?

The theme is “Better than good.” It links to the famous Tony the Tiger slogan “They’re great.”

Q2: What is today’s Strands spangram?

The spangram is THEYREGREAT. It runs across the board and confirms the theme.

Q3: What are the non-spangram answers in puzzle #559?

The answers are APES, AUNTS, LAKES, MINDS, PLAINS, and EXPECTATIONS.

Q4: How do hints unlock in Strands?

Every three words with four or more letters reveal one theme word. Small finds like SEAT or GRAM can help.

Q5: Why is today’s puzzle notable?

It uses a mix of advertising history and wordplay. The simple theme hides clever connections that feel satisfying once solved.