Finding it hard to guess all the categories in today’s Connections puzzle? We’re here to help. We’ll start you off with some spoiler-free hints to nudge you in the direction of the answers. If that doesn’t help, we’ll reveal one word from each category, followed by the list of themes. Finally, you can have the answers. Here are all the hints, clues, and answers to today’s NYT Connections (#1,098, June 13, 2026).
Read Also: Asus ROG Zephyrus Series, TUF Gaming A14 and ProArt PZ14 are now available for pre-orders
In This Article
What is Connections?
Connections is one of the most popular online word games from The New York Times, closely trailing behind Wordle. The puzzle presents you with a 16-word 4×4 grid. To solve the puzzle, you have to sort the words into 4 groups, with each group containing 4 words connected by a common theme. The Yellow group is the easiest to find, followed by the Green, Blue, and Purple groups. The misdirects and red herrings keep the puzzle fresh. You can play Connections in the NYT Games app or on the NYT Website.
Some tips to solve Connections
Look for the obvious patterns: Not every category in the puzzle is confusing. The Yellow and Green category words are relatively easy to spot. However, if something seems too obvious, it could be a red herring. Typically, the first two categories comprise verbs and adjectives. The misdirects are often nouns.
Double-check your submissions: ‘Do not overthink’ is usually a good tip for solving most puzzles, but it doesn’t really apply to Connections. Before submitting a set of words, you should always check whether they fit somewhere else too.
Hit a dead end? Use the shuffle button: The shuffle button at the bottom of the grid exists for a reason. Placing the words in different positions can spark new connections. Think of it as a mental refresh. New patterns will emerge, and you may be able to find a breakthrough.
Tackle the Purple category with extra caution: The Connections team is known to serve up the toughest and most unexpected words for the Purple category. Here are some of the common tropes that you should look out for:
- Homophones (For example: ‘Where’, ‘Wear’, ‘Ware’, and ‘Weir’)
- Words within words (For example: ‘Slip’, ‘Hear’, ‘Keyes’, and ‘Undiagnosed’ could be ‘Words containing parts of the face’)
- Words minus a letter (For example: ‘Anther’, ‘Easel’, ‘Hark’, and ‘Lama’ could be ‘Animals minus starting letter’)
- Words preceded or followed by another word (For example: ‘Face’, ‘Sports’, ‘Note’, and ‘Year’ could be ‘____ Book’)
Here’s your grid for today
- PUPPET
- TEACUP
- CLASSIC
- TOY
- MINIATURE
- CHRISTMAS
- STANDARD
- SPOON
- HIT
- NEVERENDING
- PROSTHETIC
- SAUCER
- WEST SIDE
- OLDIE
- TONGS
- MAKEUP
Hints for NYT Connections (#1,098) June 13, 2026
Let’s get you started with some general, spoiler-free hints.
- 🟡Yellow Group: Tea party.
- 🟢Green Group: An old bop.
- 🔵Blue Group: Used while filming action scenes.
- 🟣Purple Group: These movie titles have the same last word.
One Word Per Category (Contains Spoilers)
Can’t seem to find an in? We’ll give you one word from each category.
- 🟡Yellow Group: Saucer.
- 🟢Green Group: Classic.
- 🔵Blue Group: Makeup.
- 🟣Purple Group: Christmas.
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: Seen At A Tea Service.
- 🟢Green Group: Enduring Song.
- 🔵Blue Group: Used In Movie Practical Effects.
- 🟣Purple Group: Words Before “Story” In Movie Titles.
Answers to NYT Connections (#1,098) Today (June 13, 2026)
Close to waving the white flag? Fine, we’ll give you the answers.
- 🟡Yellow Group: Saucer, Spoon, Teacup, Tongs. (Seen At A Tea Service)
Today’s Yellow group was so obvious that it had us wondering whether it was a red herring. We’re certain everyone managed to get this one.
- 🟢Green Group: Classic, Hit, Oldie, Standard. (Enduring Song)
‘Standard’ threw us off, but once you piece together three words, everything falls into place. All of these words can be used to refer to a famous, old-school song.
- 🔵Blue Group: Makeup, Miniature, Prosthetic, Puppet. (Used In Movie Practical Effects)
In our opinion, this was the toughest group to solve today. We landed on it purely by the process of elimination. These are all the items that are commonly utilised by production studios to create different kinds of effects in movie scenes.
- 🟣Purple Group: Christmas, NeverEnding, Toy, West Side. (Words Before “Story” In Movie Titles)
A Christmas Story (1983), The NeverEnding Story (1984), Toy Story (1995-), West Side Story (1961, 2021).
Answers to yesterday’s puzzle (#1,097, June 12, 2026)
- 🟡Yellow Group: Charm Bracelet, Curse Word, Hex Key, Spell Checker. (Starting With Incantation)
- 🟢Green Group: Murder Mystery, Pack Rat, Pride Rock, School Days. (Starting With Animal Group Names)
- 🔵Blue Group: Copy Editor, Echo Park, Mirror Selfie, Quote Unquote. (Starting With Synonyms For “Repeat”)
- 🟣Purple Group: Bank Teller, Bed Head, Delta Airlines, Mouth Guard. (Starting With Parts Of a River)
Answers to NYT Connections #1,096 (June 11, 2026)
- 🟡Yellow Group: Balance, Cardio, Stretching, Weights. (Parts Of A Workout Routine)
- 🟢Green Group: Brass Band, Devil, Rhino, Viking Helmet. (Things With Horns)
- 🔵Blue Group: Broncho, Forerunner, Trouper, UConn. (Homophones Of SUVs)
- 🟣Purple Group: Elle, Papal, Strip, Veno. (Payment Apps Minus A Letter)
Answers to NYT Connections #1,095 (June 10, 2026)
- 🟡Yellow Group: Fashion, Manner, Method, Way. (Technique)
- 🟢Green Group: Crust, Film, Scum, Skin. (Gross Things That Form On Wet Surfaces)
- 🔵Blue Group: Catwalk, Pit, Stage, Wings. (Parts Of A Theater)
- 🟣Purple Group: Character, Line, Page, Word. (Counted In Document Word Counts)
Read Also: Best TVs to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup
How did other solvers do today?
NYT’s early testers rated today’s Connection puzzle 1.8 out of 5. This puts it in the easy difficulty level. Let us know how you fared in the comments!
.){kind=link}