Hints, Clues, and Answers to Ace NYT Connections (#1,197) Today (September 20, 2026)

Can’t make sense of today’s Connections grid? We’re here to help you out. As you scroll down, you’ll see some general hints to nudge you in the direction of the answers. Next, we’ll give you one word from each group followed by the list of themes. Finally, the answers and their explanations will be waiting for you at the end of the page. So, let’s dive into all the hints, clues, and answers to NYT Connections today (#1,197, September 20, 2026)

Read Also: NYT Strands Today: Hints, Spangram and Answers for the September 20 “Putting on Airs” Puzzle

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

• TWILIGHT
• SNOW
• TORTILLA
• SKATE
• DERBY
• FRIED CHICKEN
• COASTER
• HOVER
• BLADE
• BLU-RAY
• BLUEGRASS
• SAND DOLLAR
• NEAR DARK
• BOURBON
• SURF
• SINNERS

Hints for NYT Connections (#1,197) September 20, 2026

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

• 🟡Yellow Group: Disc-shaped.
• 🟢Green Group: Related to a US state.
• 🔵Blue Group: 🧛⚰️🦇
• 🟣Purple Group: A genre of sporting gear.

One Word Per Category (Contains Spoilers)

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

• 🟡Yellow Group: Blu-Ray.
• 🟢Green Group: Bluegrass.
• 🔵Blue Group: Blade.
• 🟣Purple Group: Hover.

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: Round Flat Things.
• 🟢Green Group: Associated With Kentucky.
• 🔵Blue Group: Vampire Movies.
• 🟣Purple Group: ___ Boards You Ride On. 

Answers to NYT Connections (#1,197) Today (September 20, 2026)

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

• 🟡Yellow Group: Blu-Ray, Coaster, Sand Dollar, Tortilla. (Round Flat Things)

These things are disc-shaped.

• 🟢Green Group: Bluegrass, Bourbon, Derby, Fried Chicken. (Associated With Kentucky) 

Kentucky bluegrass – Meadow grass. Kentucky bourbon – Alcohol. Kentucky Derby – Horse race. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) – Chain restaurant.

• 🔵Blue Group: Blade, Near Dark, Sinners, Twilight. (Vampire Movies) 

Blade (1998). Near Dark (1987). Sinners (2025). Twilight (2008).

• 🟣Purple Group: Hover, Skate, Snow, Surf. (___ Boards You Ride On)

Hoverboard, Skateboard, Snowboard, and Surfboard are used for riding on different surfaces.

Answers to yesterday’s puzzle (#1,196, September 19, 2026)

• 🟡Yellow Group: Branch Out, Diversify, Expand, Grow. (Widen One’s Scope)
• 🟢Green Group: House, Stick Figure, Sun, Tree. (Features Of A Kid’s Drawing)
• 🔵Blue Group: Carnaby Street, Miniskirt, Mod, Twiggy. (Associated With Swinging London In The 1960s)
• 🟣Purple Group: Cos Lettuce, Log Cabin, Sin City, Tan Line. (Starting With Abbreviated Math Functions)

Answers to NYT Connections #1,195 (September 18, 2026)

• 🟡Yellow Group: Phase, Round, Stage, Step. (Segment Of A Process)
• 🟢Green Group: Flight, Medley, Platter, Sampler. (Assortments Of Food/Drink)
• 🔵Blue Group: Boarding, Cruise, Landing, Takeoff. (Parts Of A Flight) 
• 🟣Purple Group: Brief, Pillow, Stair, Upper. (___ Case)

Answers to NYT Connections #1,194 (September 17, 2026)

• 🟡Yellow Group: Bounce, Flexibility, Give, Spring. (Elasticity)
• 🟢Green Group: Mine Shaft, Sewer Line, Subway Station, Well. (Things That Are Underground)
• 🔵Blue Group: Fountain, Prestige, Sheep Detectives, Wolverine. (Hugh Jackman Movies, With “The”)
• 🟣Purple Group: Handles, Language Tap, Triangle. (Love ___)

Read Also: Wordle Answer For September 20: Solving Puzzle 1918 Without Losing Your Streak

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!