Get a Perfect Score in NYT Connections (#1,228) Using These Hints, Clues, and Answers Today (October 21, 2026)

Today’s Connections grid looks tricky on the surface, but it is rather easy to solve. If you’re struggling with knocking down the categories, we’ve curated some spoiler-free hints for you. Those who need additional help can take a look at one word from each group and the list of themes. The answers and their explanations are mentioned at the end of the page. So, let’s dive into all the hints, clues, and answers to today’s NYT Connections (1,228, October 21, 2026).

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What is Connections?

The New York Times has a thriving online word game section, with Connections being the second-most-played title behind the crown jewel, Wordle. The rules of this game are simple – you need to find 4 groups comprising 4 words each in a 16-word grid. The words in each group are united by a common theme. The Yellow group is the easiest one to spot, followed by Green, Blue, and Purple (toughest). Sometimes, there are red herrings and misdirects in the grid to throw you off your game, so don’t take your thinking cap off at any time! Ready to lock in? You can play Connections in the NYT Games app or on the NYT website.

Here’s your grid for today

• ENGLISH HORN
• LEAPFROG
• ALPHA DOG
• SWEETBREAD
• HOT POTATO
• MANTIS SHRIMP
• SUNFLOWERS
• BIG CHEESE
• AMERICAN GOTHIC
• GRAPE-NUTS
• CAMPBELL’S SOUP CAN
• DUCK DUCK GOOSE
• TOP BANANA
• THE SCREAM
• MUSICAL CHAIRS
• HEAVYWEIGHT

Hints for NYT Connections (#1,228) October 21, 2026

Let’s get you started with some general, spoiler-free hints.

• 🟡Yellow Group: Enjoyed by kids.
• 🟢Green Group: A leader-like figure.
• 🔵Blue Group: Iconic artworks.
• 🟣Purple Group: Not defined by the words it comprises.

One Word Per Category (Contains Spoilers)

Can’t seem to find an in? We’ll give you one word from each category.

• 🟡Yellow Group: Duck Duck Goose.
• 🟢Green Group: Alpha Dog.
• 🔵Blue Group: American Gothic.
• 🟣Purple Group: English horn.

List of Themes (Major Spoilers)

Maybe getting to know the common themes among the words will help you spot them faster. Here are all the categories for today.

• 🟡Yellow Group: Classic Children’s Games.
• 🟢Green Group: Important Person.
• 🔵Blue Group: Famous Paintings.
• 🟣Purple Group: Double Misnomers (Neither Word Is An Accurate Description).

Answers to NYT Connections (#1,228) Today (October 21, 2026)

Close to waving the white flag? Fine, we’ll give you the answers.

• 🟡Yellow Group: Duck Duck Goose, Hot Potato, Leapfrog, Musical Chairs. (Classic Children’s Games)

Played by kids at playgrounds and parties.

• 🟢Green Group: Alpha Dog, Big Cheese, Heavyweight, Top Banana. (Important Person)

Someone who holds weight in an organisation.

• 🔵Blue Group: American Gothic, Campbell’s Soup Can, Sunflowers, The Scream. (Famous Paintings)

American Gothic (Grant Wood). Campbell’s Soup Can (Andy Warhol). Sunflowers (Vincent van Gogh). The Scream (Edvard Munch).

• 🟣Purple Group: English Horn, Grape-Nuts, Mantis Shrimp, Sweetbread. (Double Misnomers (Neither Word Is An Accurate Description))

English horn (Oboe). Grape-nuts (Breakfast cereal). Mantis shrimp (Carnivorous marine crustacean). Sweetbread (Thymus or pancreas from calf or lamb).

Answers to yesterday’s puzzle (#1,227, October 20, 2026)

• 🟡Yellow Group: Close, End, Stop, Wrap. (Finish)
• 🟢Green Group: Minion, Poodle, Puppet, Stooge. (Lackey)
• 🔵Blue Group: Chevron, Horseshoe, Pencil, Walrus. (Moustaches)
• 🟣Purple Group: Arial, Bell, Dock, Mini. (Homophones Of Disney Characters)

Answers to NYT Connections #1,226 (October 19, 2026)

• 🟡Yellow Group: Boil, Fume, Rave, Steam. (Seethe)
• 🟢Green Group: Blather, Gas, Hot Air, Wind. (All Talk)
• 🔵Blue Group: Flurry, Muffin, Nuggets, Rib. (‘Mc’ Things At McDonald’s)
• 🟣Purple Group: Alibis, Balloon, Escrow, Mohawk. (Ending In Birds)

Answers to NYT Connections #1,225 (October 18, 2026)

• 🟡Yellow Group: Bureau, Chest, Trunk, Wardrobe. (Places To Store Clothes)
• 🟢Green Group: Butter, Deodorant, Dynamite, Incense. (Things That Come In Sticks)
• 🔵Blue Group: Angel, Coco, Obsession, Opium. (Famous Perfumes)
• 🟣Purple Group: Fogerty, Hazel, Mister, Vaporetto. (Starting With Things That Cloud The Air)

Answers to NYT Connections #1,224 (October 17, 2026)

• 🟡Yellow Group: Alert, Chime, Ding, Ping. (Digital Notifications)
• 🟢Green Group: Print, Shot, Snap, Still. (Photo)
• 🔵Blue Group: Fiddler, Hermit, King, Snow. (Kinds Of Crabs)
• 🟣Purple Group: Bohème, La Brea, La Paz, La Scala. (LA ___)

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How did other Connectors do today?

NYT’s early testers rated today’s Connections puzzle 2 out of 5. This puts it in the medium difficulty level. Let us know how you fared in the comments!