Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.
Today's NYT Connections puzzle is a tricky one. Read on for clues and today's Connections answers.
The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.
Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time
Hints for today's Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Change the channel.
Green group hint: Necklace also qualifies.
Blue group hint: Tied up.
Purple group hint: Not peace, but close.
Answers for today's Connections groups
Yellow group: Units of TV programs.
Green group: Things worn around the neck.
Blue group: Strings tied in knots.
Purple group: ____ piece.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today's Connections answers?
The completed NYT Connections puzzle for May 9, 2026.
NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's Connections
The theme is units of TV programs. The four answers are episode, franchise, season and series.
The green words in today's Connections
The theme is things worn around the neck. The four answers are boa, chain, lanyard and tie.
The blue words in today's Connections
The theme is strings tied in knots. The four answers are friendship bracelet, macrame, quipu and shoelaces.
The purple words in today's Connections
The theme is ____ piece. The four answers are conversation, period, puff and think.
Toughest Connections puzzles
We've made a note of some of the toughest Connections puzzles so far. Maybe they'll help you see patterns in future puzzles.
#5: Included "things you can set," such as mood, record, table and volleyball.
#4: Included "one in a dozen," such as egg, juror, month and rose.
#3: Included "streets on screen," such as Elm, Fear, Jump and Sesame.
#2: Included "power ___" such as nap, plant, Ranger and trip.
#1: Included "things that can run," such as candidate, faucet, mascara and nose.
