Daily Puzzle Hints

NYT Connections Hints for 2026-09-18 — Puzzle #1195

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

SEGMENT OF A PROCESS

Show theme 2

ASSORTMENTS OF FOOD/DRINK

Show theme 3

PARTS OF A FLIGHT

Show theme 4

___CASE

NYT Connections answer for 2026-09-18

SEGMENT OF A PROCESS

STEP, ROUND, STAGE, PHASE

ASSORTMENTS OF FOOD/DRINK

FLIGHT, PLATTER, MEDLEY, SAMPLER

PARTS OF A FLIGHT

CRUISE, LANDING, TAKEOFF, BOARDING

___CASE

PILLOW, UPPER, STAIR, BRIEF

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:S _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A P _ _ _ _ _ _A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _P _ _ _ _ O _ A F _ _ _ _ _C _ _ _

Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1SEGMENT OF A PROCESSShow theme 2ASSORTMENTS OF FOOD/DRINKShow theme 3PARTS OF A FLIGHTShow theme 4___CASE

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