Daily Puzzle Hints

NYT Connections Hints for 2026-08-31 — Puzzle #1177

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Source: the official puzzle feed (official NYT feed), retrieved . Hints are derived from the official answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

1. The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

2. The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

THINGS THAT COME IN TUBES

Show theme 2

WARNINGS ON A SHIPPING BOX

Show theme 3

HISTORICAL SOVEREIGN TITLES

Show theme 4

___ BOWL

NYT Connections answer for 2026-08-31

THINGS THAT COME IN TUBES

LIPSTICK, POSTER, TOOTHPASTE, TENNIS BALLS

WARNINGS ON A SHIPPING BOX

FRAGILE, HEAVY, PERISHABLE, THIS SIDE UP

HISTORICAL SOVEREIGN TITLES

CALIPH, PHARAOH, KHAN, SHOGUN

___ BOWL

SUPER, SALAD, DUST, POKE

Frequently asked questions

The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ C _ _ _ I _ T _ _ _ _W _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ B _ _H _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ B _ _ _

Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1THINGS THAT COME IN TUBESShow theme 2WARNINGS ON A SHIPPING BOXShow theme 3HISTORICAL SOVEREIGN TITLESShow theme 4___ BOWL

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