Technology

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a frequent flyer.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 1, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Appetizers

• Green: Building gear

• Blue: Jetsetting

• Purple: Looks can be deceiving

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Little bite

• Green: Construction equipment

• Blue: Vacation emoji

• Purple: Things you don't eat that end in foods

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #994 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Little bite: CANAPÉ, FINGER FOOD, HORS D'OEUVRE, TAPA

• Construction equipment: HARD HAT, LADDER, NAIL GUN, TOOL BELT

• Vacation emoji: AIRPLANE, LUGGAGE, PALM TREE, SMILING FACE WITH SUNGLASSES

• Things you don't eat that end in foods: COPYPASTA, JOHANNESBURGER, KNUCKLE SANDWICH, LICORICE PIZZA

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 28, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're not on. your best behavior.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 1, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 1, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Dressing down

The words are related to discipline.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to chastise.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is The Riot Act.

NYT Strands word list for March 1

• Braidup

• The Riot Act

• Scold

• Castigate

• Reprimand

• Admonish

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you believe in coincidences.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 1, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 1, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A coincidence.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

FLUKE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

March has that in-between energy where it's not quite spring, not quite winter, but somehow you're already ready for a new comfort watch or something fresh and unique. HBO Max makes the choice harder—in a good way—because its library is basically a cavern of eldless possibilities.

Say “luxury SUV” and names like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi usually come to mind. But in 2026, you don’t have to sign up for a luxury-brand payment to get something that feels properly upscale and genuinely fun to drive.

As March arrives, HBO Max wants one thing from you, and that’s to be down to fooling around with all its new content debuting this month. The streaming platform kicks things off with two new series—one a salacious thriller turned mystery and the other a half-hour comedy show featuring Steve Carell. We’ll also see a new season of Lisa Kudrow’s comedy series, two new movie debuts, and two new documentaries.

For decades, Toyota and Honda have dominated conversations about automotive reliability, setting the global benchmark for long-term dependability. Their reputations have become so ingrained that few buyers even consider looking elsewhere when reliability tops the priority list. But recent industry data suggests a surprising shift. One American automaker is now outperforming both Japanese giants in overall dependability rankings.

Some weeks can feel like a veritable buffet of things to do and places to go—too many tabs open, too many boxes to check, and you feel like you're piling it all on one plate. Apple TV can feel like that sometimes, which is why I'm here to cut the fat.

When a relative recently told me that they back up their files on a simple USB stick, I was floored. And yes, it was just the one; no 3-2-1 rule here. And yes, of course, some of those files were important.

Thanks to the internet, it’s incredibly easy to open an app and immediately get a detailed weather report. But what you might not realize is that your phone has some precise weather instruments of its own. Most phones have a barometer inside, and it’s more useful than you might think.

In an era where cars are becoming more complex and packed with new technology, long-term reliability is becoming harder to guarantee. Yet one luxury sedan continues to stand above the rest, earning top marks for dependability in a market where breakdowns and costly repairs are increasingly common. The 2026 Lexus IS 350 has emerged as the most reliable new car currently on sale, outperforming both mainstream and premium rivals.

Love, horror, adventure, and everything in between: this March, Netflix is giving us a diverse collection of shows and movies to look forward to. Whether you want to kick back for a relaxing watch or sit at the edge of your seat, there's something you can stream every day.

Your smart home is full of wireless devices that use some combination of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread, or Z-Wave. But there’s another wireless solution you can use to send and receive signals from smart home devices, and you might already have a few devices in your home that use it.

In the Home Assistant 2026.2 update, a new Quick search feature was introduced. The tool has a dedicated keyboard shortcut, but this isn't really much use on mobile. Thankfully, there is a quick way to launch the tool in the mobile app.

Your laptop, smartphone, tablet, and gaming handhelds don’t need power to function, but the same can’t be said about your internet connection. In the event of a power outage, being able to get your network back up quickly can allow you to resume work or play while the issue gets fixed.

TL;DR: Live stream the Brit Awards 2026 for free on ITVX. Access this live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Some of the biggest names in music are performing at the Brit Awards this weekend. Sure, there are a lot of awards to be presented, but that's not really what the Brits is about. It's about incredible performances, risqué jokes from the host, and celebrities behaving very badly. It's always a messy night (in the best kind of way).

If you want to watch the Brit Awards 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What are the Brits?

The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual popular music awards. It's the highest profile music awards ceremony in the UK, with performances from some of the industry's biggest stars. In 2026, Jack Whitehall will host the ceremony for the sixth time. The likes of Olivia Dean, Mark Ronson, Harry Styles, and Rosalía are lined up to perform.

The Brit Awards have featured some of the most notable events in British popular culture, including the final public appearance of Freddie Mercury, the high-profile feud between Oasis and Blur, the Union Jack dress worn by Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls, and so many more iconic moments.

When are the Brit Awards 2026?

The Brit Awards 2026 takes place on Feb. 28 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. The awards and performances will begin at 8:15 p.m. GMT.

How to watch the Brit Awards 2026 for free

The Brit Awards 2026 is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the Brit Awards 2026 from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the Brit Awards 2026 from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Live stream the Brit Awards 2026 for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the Brit Awards 2026 before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to access free live streams on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the Brit Awards 2026 from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Windows, tabs, groups. If you’re used to these ways of organizing your web page viewing, get used to one more: split view.

Growing up with keyboards has conditioned many of us to think of typing as the only way to get words to appear on our screens. On our phones, that really isn't the case. Virtual keyboards have gotten much better over the years, but there is an even faster way to type on your phone.

SAVE $723: As of Feb. 28, Amazon has the 39-inch LG Ultragear curved gaming monitor on sale for $876, which is 45% its list price of 1,599.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 39GX90SA-W 39-inch Ultragear OLED Curved Gaming $876 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $723   Get Deal

If you’ve been dreaming of putting together a gaming setup with a curved monitor or wishing to upgrade your current equipment, this weekend might be the time to do it. Amazon has the LG Ultragear 39-inch curved gaming monitor on sale for almost half off. This model is perfect for those who want a single-screen OLED monitor with a wicked-fast frame rate and an 800R curve for true immersion. The monitor has a thick, sturdy, white base for folks who don’t mind the look of noticeable hardware. 

Unlike other monitors meant only for running whatever you plug into them, this model has webOS 24 with access to your favorite streaming services built in. This means you could take a break from work or gaming and binge your favorite shows.

The screen is also expertly designed to reduce glare and reflections. This means you aren’t automatically required to find an extremely low-light location for your gaming monitor (although that can sometimes be a vibe). The sale price of this monitor makes this particular model size one of the lowest-priced OLED monitors you can buy on Amazon right now.

Legendary musician Buddy Guy brought the blues to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, with a guest appearance from Sinners actor Miles Caton.

SEE ALSO: 'Sinners' review: Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan deliver a vampire movie for the ages

The pair co-star in Ryan Coogler's Academy Award-nominated smash hit. Caton plays gifted blues singer Sammie "Preacher Boy" Moore, whose music is so brilliant it transcends time (and lures a crew of vampires right to him). Guy plays Sammie 60 years on, when he's deep into a successful blues career.

Guy kicks off his Tiny Desk Concert with his 1991 track "Damn Right, I've Got the Blues" before shifting to his cover of Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man."

After these classic blues songs, Guy invites Caton to join him for two songs from the Sinners soundtrack. First up is "Travelin,'" which Sammie sings while driving around with Stack (Michael B. Jordan). Then, Guy and Caton launch into "I Lied to You," the song that brings the house down in Smoke (also Jordan) and Stack's juke joint. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song, "I Lied to You" was written by Raphael Saadiq and Sinners composter Ludwig Göransson.

Don't expect Guy and Caton to perform these songs exactly as they appear in Sinners, though. Their renditions here are full of blues improvisation and playful banter, with Guy adding his own spin throughout and inviting Caton to join in. For a great trip through the history of blues, this mini concert is a must watch.