Last updated: March 2026
How to Play Connections
Connections is a word puzzle where you're given 16 words arranged in a grid. Your challenge is to sort them into four groups of four words, where each group shares a hidden connection. The twist? Many words are intentionally designed to look like they belong in multiple groups, making the puzzle deceptively challenging.
Each group is color-coded by difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (hardest). The purple group is typically the trickiest — it might involve wordplay, hidden patterns, or obscure connections that aren't immediately obvious. You have four chances to make mistakes before the game ends.
Strategy Tips for Connections
Start with the group you're most confident about. Look for the yellow (easiest) group first. Removing four correct words from the board makes the remaining connections easier to spot. Don't guess randomly — each mistake counts.
Watch for misdirection. The puzzle designers intentionally include words that could fit in multiple groups. If a word seems too obvious for one category, it might actually belong somewhere else. Think about less obvious connections like wordplay, prefixes/suffixes, or hidden words within words.
Use the shuffle button. Rearranging the grid can help you see new patterns. Sometimes grouping words visually makes connections more apparent. If you're stuck, shuffling is free and can break you out of a mental rut.
Why Word Puzzles Are Good for Your Brain
Research published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that people who regularly solve word puzzles have brain function equivalent to ten years younger than their age on measures of short-term memory and reasoning. Connections specifically exercises categorization, pattern recognition, and lateral thinking — cognitive skills that transfer to real-world problem solving.
The social sharing aspect also adds motivation. Comparing results with friends (without spoiling answers) creates friendly competition and accountability. The daily challenge format builds a consistent habit, which research suggests is more beneficial than occasional intense puzzle sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Connections?
You're given 16 words arranged in a 4x4 grid. Your goal is to find four groups of four words that share a hidden connection. Select four words and click Submit. If they form a valid group, they're revealed with a color indicating difficulty (yellow=easiest, purple=hardest). You have 4 mistakes before the game ends.
How many puzzles are there?
There are 200+ handcrafted puzzles with diverse categories spanning food, science, pop culture, wordplay, geography, and more. New puzzles are added regularly.
What is the Daily Challenge?
Every day, all players get the same puzzle. It resets at midnight in your local timezone. Complete the daily challenge to maintain your streak.
Can I share my results?
Yes! After completing a puzzle, click 'Share Result' to copy an emoji grid (similar to Wordle) showing your performance. Share it on social media or with friends without spoiling the answers.
What do the colors mean?
Yellow is the easiest group (most obvious connection), followed by Green, Blue, and Purple (hardest/most obscure connection). The difficulty indicates how tricky the connection is to identify, often because words could fit in multiple groups.