NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 12

Everything you need to solve 'Connections' #459.
By Mashable Team  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'
Credit: Mashable composite; ViDI Studio/Shutterstock.com; The New York Times

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for September 12s Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Gonna come back to this

  • Green: In service of

  • Blue: Icons of the NBA

  • Purple: Maybe food, maybe the greek alphabet

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

Mashable Top Stories
Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.
Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
  • Yellow: Mark Online for Later

  • Green: Behalf

  • Blue: NBA Legends, Familiarly

  • Purple: Ending with Greek Letters

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #459 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Mark Online for Later: BOOKMARK, FAVORITE, LIKE, SAVE

  • Behalf: ADVANTAGE, BENEFIT, INTEREST, SAKE

  • NBA Legends, Familiarly: BIRD, CURRY, KOBE, MAGIC

  • Ending with Greek Letters: BIOTA, FETA, MOCHI, PEPSI

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Topics Connections


Recommended For You
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 1
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 2
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 3
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 4
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 5
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

More in Entertainment
Streaming alert: 'Inside Out 2' is officially headed to Disney+
Joy and Anxiety in 'Inside Out 2'

How to watch the 2024-25 Champions League online for free
Jude Bellingham during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 final match

Hundreds of Audible audiobooks are up to 80% off at Amazon
three audiobook covers on a pixelated background

Listen up, Prime members: Get 4 months of Amazon Music Unlimited for free
a person with earbuds in gives a slight smile while looking at a computer screen. She also has a phone with a yellow case in her right hand.

How to watch Real Madrid vs. Stuttgart online for free
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 17
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 17
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT Strands hints, answers for September 17
A game being played on a smartphone.


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!