Need a nudge for the Saturday, September 5, 2026, NYT Strands puzzle? Its clue is “Informally known as,” and the puzzle is #916. Start with the spoiler-light hints below; the full theme-word list and spangram are farther down.
Hints for Strands #916
Try these in order and stop when you have enough help.
- Theme nudge: Think of informal names for animals.
- Spangram direction: It runs horizontally from the left side of the board.
- Theme-word first letters: B, C, C, G, H, P, R, R.
- First two letters: BU, CH, CR, GA, HI, PE, RA, RH.
Full answers for September 5
Spoilers below: the spangram and all eight theme answers are listed here.
Spangram: CRITTER
Theme words: BUDGIE, CHIMP, CROC, GATOR, HIPPO, PEKE, RATTLER, RHINO.
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The full solution is corroborated by two independent, date-specific puzzle-answer pages; no official NYT answer page was available for confirmation. One opened page assigns September 5 the number #1103, but that conflicts with the two date-specific sources supporting #916.
How the board works
The puzzle has 48 cells in a 6×8 grid. Connect letters horizontally, vertically, or diagonally; a word’s path can change direction. The spangram names the theme and reaches two opposite sides of the board. Every letter belongs to exactly one theme answer or the spangram.
If you get stuck, find three valid words that are not theme answers to unlock a hint highlighting one theme word.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Answer placements
An independent answer page lists these starting cells, using row and column numbers for the 6×8 board:
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| Answer | Starting cell |
|---|---|
| CRITTER (spangram) | Row 4, column 1 |
| RATTLER | Row 8, column 6 |
| BUDGIE | Row 5, column 2 |
| CHIMP | Row 1, column 4 |
| GATOR | Row 1, column 2 |
| HIPPO | Row 4, column 4 |
| RHINO | Row 6, column 2 |
| CROC | Row 8, column 3 |
| PEKE | Row 2, column 2 |
The placement list is secondary-source detail rather than an official NYT solution map. Its row 8 entries do not fit a six-row board as described, so treat those coordinates as unverified rather than relying on them to trace a path.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
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