Ready to Hit the Beach? Let’s Solve NYT Strands #504!
If today’s heat has you dreaming of white sands and crashing waves, the NYT Strands puzzle has you covered. Puzzle #504, titled “Shore Thing!”, takes us straight to the coastline with clues centered around beach fashion. Whether you’re rocking flip-flops or wrapping up in a sarong, today’s grid is packed with summer style.
Today’s Theme: “Shore Thing!”
Today’s puzzle brings sun-soaked vibes with a beachwear theme—perfect for summer brain breaks. If you’ve ever hit the seaside, this one’s for you!
✨ Spangram of the Day: BEACHATTIRE
A stylish compound phrase that stretches across the board. An instant hint you’re dealing with sand, waves, and seaside essentials.
Today’s 6 Beachwear-Themed Words
Here are the six vacation-ready answers tucked into today’s grid:
- BIKINI
- SANDALS
- SARONG
- SWIMSUIT
- TRUNKS
- WRAP
Yesterday’s Puzzle Recap – #503 (July 19)
- Theme: Hot Enough For Ya?
- Spangram: SUMMERWEATHER
- Words: SWELTERING, SCORCHING, MUGGY, BALMY, STICKY
Pro Tips for Solving Faster
- Think beach wardrobe: As soon as “BIKINI” or “TRUNKS” appear, you’re on the right path.
- Find the spangram early: Uncovering “BEACHATTIRE” helps solve the theme quickly.
- Use clue words to get hints: Enter unrelated words like “COLD” or “WAVE” to earn hint tokens.
- Picture the beach setup: Visualizing yourself on the beach can guide word discovery faster.
Popular NYT Strands FAQs
Q1: What is NYT Strands?
A daily word puzzle from The New York Times that challenges players to find theme-based words in a 6×8 letter grid.
Q2: What is a spangram?
A long, theme-relevant word or phrase that touches two opposite edges of the grid.
Q3: How do hints work?
Enter any three valid non-theme words to unlock a hint that helps uncover a hidden theme word.
Q4: Can I replay older Strands puzzles?
Currently, Strands puzzles are daily-only and not archived publicly—so solving today is key.
Q5: What’s the best strategy for beginners?
Start with the longest possible theme-related words, use hints strategically, and try finding the spangram early—it acts as a guidepost.
Puzzle Overview Summary
| Date | Puzzle # | Theme | Spangram | Theme Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 20, 2025 | 504 | Shore Thing! | BEACHATTIRE | Bikini, Sandals, Sarong, Swimsuit, Trunks, Wrap |
| July 19, 2025 | 503 | Hot Enough | SUMMERWEATHER | Sweltering, Scorching, Muggy, Balmy, Sticky |
Final Thoughts
NYT Strands #504 is the perfect mental vacation. Its sunny theme and fashion-forward words make it a fun challenge for weekend solvers. From swimsuits to sandals, and the satisfying reveal of BEACHATTIRE, this puzzle was anything but a shore bore!
