For Monday, September 28, 2026, the New York Times Strands puzzle presents the theme “A form of art.” Game #939 requires players to find seven thematic words and a spangram within the letter grid.
This puzzle follows a notable pattern of thematic consistency across the New York Times games portfolio. Players who completed the NYT Strands or Connections puzzles over the weekend may find today’s grid familiar; the September 27 Connections puzzle featured a “Sculpture Media” category that serves as a direct conceptual precursor to today’s board.
Strands #939 Hints and Spangram
The theme “A form of art” refers specifically to the materials used in three-dimensional creative works. The spangram, which describes the category itself, is SCULPTURE.
The Sunday, September 27 puzzle (#938) utilized a “BEAUTYCARE” spangram with words like SUNSCREEN and MOISTURIZER. Today’s shift toward fine arts materials marks a return to more traditional academic categories often seen in the Strands rotation.
Complete Answer List for September 28
While some early community reports omitted specific entries, a complete solution for today’s puzzle requires finding all seven material types alongside the spangram. The word “STEEL” is included in this list, which some players may overlook due to its placement.
The eight words required to complete the board are:
- WOOD
- CLAY
- GLASS
- SOAPSTONE
- BRONZE
- MARBLE
- STEEL
- SCULPTURE (Spangram)
Because “SOAPSTONE” is a compound word, it occupies more space on the grid than the other materials. If you are struggling to find the remaining words, look for the “S” and “T” clusters, as several of today’s answers—including STEEL and SOAPSTONE—rely on these common letters to bridge different sections of the grid.
