NYT Connections Hints for 2026-09-03 — Puzzle #1180
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
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:
T _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ O _ A L _ _ _ _ T _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ O _ R _ _T _ _ C _ _ B _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
TWO SHAKES OF A LAMB'S TAIL
Show theme 2
SHADES OF RED
Show theme 3
TOY CAR BRANDS
Show theme 4
SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS
NYT Connections answer for 2026-09-03
TWO SHAKES OF A LAMB'S TAIL
BLINK, FLASH, HEARTBEAT, TRICE
SHADES OF RED
MAROON, CARMINE, CINNABAR, VERMILLION
TOY CAR BRANDS
MATCHBOX, TONKA, HOT WHEELS, MICRO MACHINES
SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS
MAX, AVERAGE, SUM, COUNT
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 _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ O _ A L _ _ _ _ T _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ O _ R _ _T _ _ C _ _ B _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1TWO SHAKES OF A LAMB'S TAILShow theme 2SHADES OF REDShow theme 3TOY CAR BRANDSShow theme 4SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
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