What is the Strands spangram for May 8 (#969)?

Today's Strands spangram is RUNOFTHEMILL.

What is the Strands theme today (#969)?

The theme clue is "Garden variety", and the theme words are BASIC, COMMON, ORDINARY, PEDESTRIAN, PROSAIC.

How many theme words are in a Strands puzzle?

Each Strands board hides a set of theme words plus one spangram. Today's puzzle has 5 theme words to find alongside the spangram.

Friday, May 8, 2026#969

NYT Strands Hints & Answers — Friday, May 8

DailyWordHints Editorial May 8

Today’s theme

“Garden variety”

Spangram

RUNOFTHEMILL

Theme words

BASIC
COMMON
ORDINARY
PEDESTRIAN
PROSAIC

NYT Strands #969 (Friday, May 8) theme is “Garden variety”. Spangram: RUNOFTHEMILL. Theme words: BASIC, COMMON, ORDINARY, PEDESTRIAN, PROSAIC.

Today’s theme

“Garden variety”

Hints

Full answers below

Today’s Strands answers

Spangram

RUNOFTHEMILL

Theme words

BASIC
COMMON
ORDINARY
PEDESTRIAN
PROSAIC

See all past Strands puzzles →

Today's Strands hints (no spoilers)

Here are spoiler-free clues for NYT Strands #969, Friday, May 8. The official theme is "Garden variety" — work through the hints before revealing the spangram.

How Strands hints work

Each hint reveals a bit more about the theme and the spangram without naming any answer word. The full list of theme words stays below the fold.

How to crack the spangram

The spangram touches two opposite sides of the board and sums up the whole theme, so it's usually the longest answer. Find a couple of theme words first, ask what links them, then look for a long path that stretches edge to edge.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Strands spangram for May 8 (#969)?: Today's Strands spangram is RUNOFTHEMILL.
What is the Strands theme today (#969)?: The theme clue is "Garden variety", and the theme words are BASIC, COMMON, ORDINARY, PEDESTRIAN, PROSAIC.
How many theme words are in a Strands puzzle?: Each Strands board hides a set of theme words plus one spangram. Today's puzzle has 5 theme words to find alongside the spangram.