NYT Connections Hints and Answers — Friday, June 26, 2026 (Puzzle #1111)
Written by Ranjit Kumar — Lead Editor & Puzzle Architect
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🧩 NYT Connections Answers Today — June 26, 2026 (Puzzle #1111)
Here are the complete answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle, Friday, June 26, 2026:
- 🟨 Yellow – CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM: CHIP, CRACKER, NUT, PRETZEL
- 🟩 Green – VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD: BOARD, LOG, SPLINTER, TREE
- 🟦 Blue – AREAS OF LOW GROUND: DALE, DELL, GORGE, HOLLOW
- 🟪 Purple – COLORS PLUS A LETTER: BRONZER, PINKY, REDO, TANG
Want to try solving it yourself first? Scroll down for progressive spoiler-free hints before seeing the full breakdown.
Welcome to today's NYT Connections hints and answers guide for Friday, June 26, 2026. If you're stuck on Puzzle #1111, you're in the right place. We'll start with spoiler-free progressive hints so you can try to figure it out on your own, then reveal the full Connections answers for today with a detailed explanation of each group.
📌 Key Takeaways — Puzzle #1111
- Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
- Puzzle Number: #1111
- Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium)
- Trickiest Category: Purple — COLORS PLUS A LETTER
- Easiest Category: Yellow — CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM
- Red Herring Warning: BOARD might trick you into thinking of games (like Monopoly) or computer hardware (like a motherboard). Additionally, DELL could easily be mistaken for a computer peripheral brand trap alongside words like BOARD or CHIP.
📖 In This Guide
- Tap-to-Reveal Word Hints (Interactive Grid)
- Spoiler-Free Category Hints
- Progressive Category Reveal
- Traps & Misdirects
- One-Word Hints for Each Group
- Two-Away Hints (Almost There)
- Full Answers & Solution Revealed
- Per-Word Explanations & Definitions
- Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
- How to Play NYT Connections
- FAQ
🔮 Connections Hint for Each Word Today — June 26, 2026
Tap any word to see its Connections hint — what it means in today's puzzle, no spoilers. Uncover all 16 to fill the progress bar.
PRETZEL Connections Hint Today
PRETZEL belongs to the Yellow group ("CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
Definition: PRETZEL is one of the four words in the "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" category. While PRETZEL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
TREE Connections Hint Today
TREE belongs to the Green group ("VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
Definition: TREE is one of the four words in the "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD" category. While TREE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
TANG Connections Hint Today
TANG belongs to the Purple group ("COLORS PLUS A LETTER"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
Definition: TANG is one of the four words in the "COLORS PLUS A LETTER" category. While TANG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
PINKY Connections Hint Today
PINKY belongs to the Purple group ("COLORS PLUS A LETTER"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
Definition: PINKY is one of the four words in the "COLORS PLUS A LETTER" category. While PINKY has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
BRONZER Connections Hint Today
BRONZER belongs to the Purple group ("COLORS PLUS A LETTER"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
Definition: BRONZER is one of the four words in the "COLORS PLUS A LETTER" category. While BRONZER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
SPLINTER Connections Hint Today
SPLINTER belongs to the Green group ("VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
Definition: SPLINTER is one of the four words in the "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD" category. While SPLINTER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
HOLLOW Connections Hint Today
HOLLOW belongs to the Blue group ("AREAS OF LOW GROUND"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
Definition: HOLLOW is one of the four words in the "AREAS OF LOW GROUND" category. While HOLLOW has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
NUT Connections Hint Today
NUT belongs to the Yellow group ("CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
Definition: NUT is one of the four words in the "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" category. While NUT has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
DALE Connections Hint Today
DALE belongs to the Blue group ("AREAS OF LOW GROUND"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
Definition: DALE is one of the four words in the "AREAS OF LOW GROUND" category. While DALE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
CHIP Connections Hint Today
CHIP belongs to the Yellow group ("CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
Definition: CHIP is one of the four words in the "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" category. While CHIP has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
LOG Connections Hint Today
LOG belongs to the Green group ("VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
Definition: LOG is one of the four words in the "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD" category. While LOG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
REDO Connections Hint Today
REDO belongs to the Purple group ("COLORS PLUS A LETTER"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
Definition: REDO is one of the four words in the "COLORS PLUS A LETTER" category. While REDO has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
BOARD Connections Hint Today
BOARD belongs to the Green group ("VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
Definition: BOARD is one of the four words in the "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD" category. While BOARD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
CRACKER Connections Hint Today
CRACKER belongs to the Yellow group ("CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
Definition: CRACKER is one of the four words in the "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" category. While CRACKER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
DELL Connections Hint Today
DELL belongs to the Blue group ("AREAS OF LOW GROUND"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
Definition: DELL is one of the four words in the "AREAS OF LOW GROUND" category. While DELL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
GORGE Connections Hint Today
GORGE belongs to the Blue group ("AREAS OF LOW GROUND"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
Definition: GORGE is one of the four words in the "AREAS OF LOW GROUND" category. While GORGE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
PRETZEL belongs to the Yellow group ("CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
⚠️ Red Herring Alert: BOARD might trick you into thinking of games (like Monopoly) or computer hardware (like a motherboard). Additionally, DELL could easily be mistaken for a computer peripheral brand trap alongside words like BOARD or CHIP.
💡 Spoiler-Free Hints — NYT Connections June 26, 2026
Not ready for the full answer? Try these progressive hints for today's Connections puzzle. We start vague and get more specific.
🟨 Yellow Group Hint
Theme Hint: Popular salty, savory treats commonly found in a vending machine or served at a casual party bowl.
🟩 Green Group Hint
Theme Hint: Objects representing wood at completely different scales—ranging from a living organism to a tiny fragment in your finger.
🟦 Blue Group Hint
Theme Hint: Geographical terms used to describe low-lying land areas, valleys, or deep ravines nestled between hills or mountains.
🟪 Purple Group Hint
Theme Hint: Every single word in this category hides a common color name within it if you remove exactly one specific letter (e.g., Bronze + R, Pink + Y, Red + O, Tan + G).
🔓 Reveal Answers Progressively
Reveal each group step-by-step. Click "See Hint", then "See Group Name", then individual words.
Yellow Connections Hint Today
Popular salty, savory treats commonly found in a vending machine or served at a casual party bowl.
Green Connections Hint Today
Objects representing wood at completely different scales—ranging from a living organism to a tiny fragment in your finger.
Blue Connections Hint Today
Geographical terms used to describe low-lying land areas, valleys, or deep ravines nestled between hills or mountains.
Purple Connections Hint Today
Every single word in this category hides a common color name within it if you remove exactly one specific letter (e.g., Bronze + R, Pink + Y, Red + O, Tan + G).
⚠️ Traps & Misdirects in Today's Connections
Today's puzzle includes words intentionally placed to misdirect you. These trap hints reveal which words are designed to mislead, so you don't burn your 4 allowed mistakes on deliberate decoys.
BOARD might trick you into thinking of games (like Monopoly) or computer hardware (like a motherboard). Additionally, DELL could easily be mistaken for a computer peripheral brand trap alongside words like BOARD or CHIP.
Words like CHIP and BOARD might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. CHIP is part of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" while BOARD belongs to "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD". Don't group them together.
Words like CHIP and DALE might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. CHIP is part of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" while DALE belongs to "AREAS OF LOW GROUND". Don't group them together.
Words like CHIP and BRONZER might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. CHIP is part of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" while BRONZER belongs to "COLORS PLUS A LETTER". Don't group them together.
🔑 One-Word Hints for Each Group
Still need a nudge? Here's one word that describes each group's theme:
🟨 Yellow
CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM
🟩 Green
VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD
🟦 Blue
AREAS OF LOW GROUND
🟪 Purple
COLORS PLUS A LETTER
🔥 Two-Away Hints — Almost the Full Answer
Last chance before the full reveal. Here are two members of each group:
| Group | Two Revealed Words | Can You Find the Other Two? |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow | CHIP, CRACKER | What other words fit the "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" theme? |
| 🟩 Green | BOARD, LOG | What other words fit the "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD" theme? |
| 🟦 Blue | DALE, DELL | What other words fit the "AREAS OF LOW GROUND" theme? |
| 🟪 Purple | BRONZER, PINKY | What other words fit the "COLORS PLUS A LETTER" theme? |
✅ Full Answers — NYT Connections Today, June 26, 2026 (Puzzle #1111)
Here are the complete NYT Connections answers for today, Friday, June 26, 2026. Puzzle #1111 is fully solved below.
🟨 Yellow — CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM
🟩 Green — VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD
🟦 Blue — AREAS OF LOW GROUND
🟪 Purple — COLORS PLUS A LETTER
🔍 Per-Word Explanations — Every Answer Defined
Let's dive deep into every word in today's Connections Puzzle #1111 — what each word means, why it belongs to its group, and how the puzzle uses it.
🟨 Yellow (Easiest) — CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM
The easiest category is "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
CHIP
CHIP is one of the four words in the "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" category. While CHIP has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
CRACKER
CRACKER is one of the four words in the "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" category. While CRACKER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
NUT
NUT is one of the four words in the "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" category. While NUT has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
PRETZEL
PRETZEL is one of the four words in the "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" category. While PRETZEL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM".
🟩 Green (Medium) — VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD
The medium category is "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BOARD
BOARD is one of the four words in the "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD" category. While BOARD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
LOG
LOG is one of the four words in the "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD" category. While LOG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
SPLINTER
SPLINTER is one of the four words in the "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD" category. While SPLINTER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
TREE
TREE is one of the four words in the "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD" category. While TREE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD".
🟦 Blue (Hard) — AREAS OF LOW GROUND
The hard category is "AREAS OF LOW GROUND". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
DALE
DALE is one of the four words in the "AREAS OF LOW GROUND" category. While DALE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
DELL
DELL is one of the four words in the "AREAS OF LOW GROUND" category. While DELL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
GORGE
GORGE is one of the four words in the "AREAS OF LOW GROUND" category. While GORGE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
HOLLOW
HOLLOW is one of the four words in the "AREAS OF LOW GROUND" category. While HOLLOW has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "AREAS OF LOW GROUND".
🟪 Purple (Hardest) — COLORS PLUS A LETTER
The hardest category is "COLORS PLUS A LETTER". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BRONZER
BRONZER is one of the four words in the "COLORS PLUS A LETTER" category. While BRONZER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
PINKY
PINKY is one of the four words in the "COLORS PLUS A LETTER" category. While PINKY has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
REDO
REDO is one of the four words in the "COLORS PLUS A LETTER" category. While REDO has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
TANG
TANG is one of the four words in the "COLORS PLUS A LETTER" category. While TANG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "COLORS PLUS A LETTER".
📊 Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
| Group | Difficulty | Solve Order |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow — CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM | ⭐ Easy | Solve FIRST — the easiest category |
| 🟩 Green — VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD | ⭐⭐ Medium | Solve SECOND |
| 🟦 Blue — AREAS OF LOW GROUND | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard | Solve THIRD |
| 🟪 Purple — COLORS PLUS A LETTER | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Hard | Solve LAST or by elimination |
🎯 Pro Strategy for Puzzle #1111
Group the geographical valleys (Blue) first, as terms like "Dale" and "Dell" belong to a very specific landscape vocabulary. Once those are out of the way, separating the wood sizes from the crispy snacks will naturally expose the color wordplay hidden in the Purple group.
🎮 How to Play NYT Connections
New to the game? Here's a quick guide:
1️⃣
Study the 16 Words
Find four groups of four related words in the 4×4 grid.
2️⃣
Select & Submit
Tap four words you think belong together and hit "Submit."
3️⃣
4 Mistakes Max
Wrong guesses cost a life. After 4 mistakes, the game ends.
4️⃣
Solve All Four
Yellow = easiest, Purple = hardest. Solve all four to win!
🗞️ What Is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle game created by Wyna Liu and published by The New York Times. Launched in mid-2023, it has become one of the most popular word games online alongside Wordle. Each puzzle presents 16 words that must be organized into four groups of four sharing a common theme.
- 🟨 Yellow — Easiest (straightforward connections)
- 🟩 Green — Medium difficulty
- 🟦 Blue — Hard (tricky connections or wordplay)
- 🟪 Purple — Hardest (often abstract, suffix/prefix patterns, or obscure links)
📅 Yesterday's Answers — Puzzle #1145
- 🟨 Virtuous: FAIR, GOOD, JUST, RIGHT
- 🟩 Activities With Multiple Balls: BEER PONG, BINGO, JUGGLING, POOL
- 🟦 Cruise Lines: CARNIVAL, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, VIKING
- 🟪 On the ___, To Mean "Precise": DOT, MARK, MONEY, NOSE
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Connections June 26, 2026
The answers for NYT Connections Puzzle #1111 (June 26, 2026) are: 🟨 Yellow (CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM): CHIP, CRACKER, NUT, PRETZEL | 🟩 Green (VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF WOOD): BOARD, LOG, SPLINTER, TREE | 🟦 Blue (AREAS OF LOW GROUND): DALE, DELL, GORGE, HOLLOW | 🟪 Purple (COLORS PLUS A LETTER): BRONZER, PINKY, REDO, TANG.
The yellow category in today's Connections (June 26, 2026) is "CRUNCHY SNACK ITEM" and the four answers are CHIP, CRACKER, NUT, PRETZEL.
The purple category in today's Connections (June 26, 2026) is "COLORS PLUS A LETTER" and the answers are BRONZER, PINKY, REDO, TANG.
A new NYT Connections puzzle is released every day at midnight Eastern Time (ET). That's 9:00 PM Pacific, 5:00 AM BST, or 2:00 PM AEST. Bookmark this page for daily hints!
You are allowed up to 4 mistakes. After 4 incorrect guesses, the game ends and all remaining answers are revealed. Start with Yellow (easiest) to minimize errors.
The colors indicate difficulty: 🟨 Yellow is the easiest, 🟩 Green is moderate, 🟦 Blue is tricky, and 🟪 Purple is the hardest (often involving wordplay or abstract connections).
Yes! NYT Connections is free to play daily on The New York Times website and app. No subscription is required. You can also play unlimited sports-themed puzzles for free at ConnectionsSports.com.
As of June 26, 2026, there have been 1,111 NYT Connections puzzles since the game launched on June 12, 2023.
🏆 That's Today's NYT Connections Solved — Puzzle #1111
Come back tomorrow for Puzzle #1112 — we'll have fresh hints and answers waiting for you right here!
Questions or feedback? Contact Ranjit Kumar — puzzle architect and creator of ConnectionsSports.com.
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