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NYT Connections puzzle #951 is the game for Saturday, January 17, 2026—not January 17, 2025, which was puzzle #586. Below are graduated hints first, followed by the category names and full spoiler answer key.
Hints for Connections #951
Use these clues before revealing the categories or word groups. They progress from a nudge toward each group’s idea to a more direct description.
- Yellow: Extend a layer.
- Green: Toss forward.
- Blue: The same letters in a variety of order.
- Purple: The start of childish pursuits.
Connections #951 category names
Spoiler warning: The categories are shown below. Stop here if you want to keep solving from the hints.
- Yellow: SPREAD OVER
- Green: THROW
- Blue: ANAGRAMS
- Purple: FIRST WORDS OF KIDS’ GAMES
Connections #951 answers for January 17
Full spoilers: These are all sixteen tiles and their completed groups.
#1 Best Overall
- SPREAD OVER: BLANKET, COAT, COVER, PLASTER
- THROW: CAST, HURL, PELT, SLING
- ANAGRAMS: INKS, KINS, SINK, SKIN
- FIRST WORDS OF KIDS’ GAMES: CAPTURE (the flag), HIDE (and seek), RED (rover), SIMON (says)
All sixteen tiles
The board contained BLANKET, CAST, CAPTURE, COAT, COVER, HIDE, HURL, INKS, KINS, PELT, PLASTER, RED, SIMON, SINK, SKIN, and SLING.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Connections works
Connections is a daily word-grouping puzzle: sort sixteen words into four groups of four. The groups are color-coded, and players have a limited number of incorrect guesses. The puzzle can be played on desktop or mobile.
Quick Recap
Rank #2
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