NYT Strands game #564 for Thursday, September 18, 2025, has the theme “Practice makes perfect.” Start with the hints below if you want a nudge; the full answers and spangram are farther down.
Hints for Strands #564
The puzzle points toward learning to play an instrument. For a spoiler-light nudge, the spangram describes what you sign up for to get better at the keys. WordHint gives the theme-word starting letters and lengths:
- C — 5 letters
- R — 7 letters
- S — 5 letters
- T — 9 letters
- T — 6 letters
- T — 4 letters
If you would rather earn an in-game hint before seeing the answers, TechRadar suggests trying CINQUE, HEEL, CHIP, LOAN, SNORE, or RATE. These are possible non-theme words, not answers.
How Strands hints work
WordHint describes the board as a 6-by-8 grid of 48 letters. Players trace theme words through adjacent letters, and the spangram captures the theme while touching two opposite sides. Its guide says that finding three non-theme words of at least four letters earns a hint that reveals letters in a theme word. These mechanics are described by a secondary guide.
Spoiler warning: full answers below
The answer set is corroborated by TechRadar, WordHint, and Forbes.
- CHORD
- RECITAL
- SCALE
- TECHNIQUE
- THEORY
- TUNE
Spangram: PIANOLESSONS (12 letters). TechRadar reports that it runs from the top edge at the third column to the bottom edge at the fifth column.
Quick Recap
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