NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Thursday, October 3 (game #214)

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today , NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #214) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Hairy styles

NYT Strands today (game #214) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• PHOTO
• FUZZ
• TUCK
• SHADY
• SHOT
• SHORT

NYT Strands today (game #214) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Crop on top

NYT Strands today (game #214) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First: left, 5th row

Last: right, 3rd row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #214) - the answers

The answers to today's Strands, game #214, are…

• PIXIE
• BUZZ
• FLATTOP
• PAGEBOY
• FADE
• SHAG
• FAUXHAWK
• SPANGRAM: SHORTCUTS

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: Perfect

This is one of my favorite Strands puzzle of the past few weeks. It's niche enough to present a challenge, but doesn't require any truly specialist knowledge. Sure, you'll have found it easier if you're a hairdresser, but that's not required!

Some of the words were quite difficult, though. I've never heard of a FAUXHAWK, although fortunately it was the final answer I needed to get, so I was able to solve it through a certain amount of trial and error. Several of the others required me to wrack my brains for hairstyles that I've had myself, in most cases many years ago. But I got there in the end.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday 2 October, game #213)

• SCONE
• DANISH
• CROISSANT
• MUFFIN
• STRUDEL
• GALETTE
• SPANGRAM: PASTRIES

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to h ow to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.