Strands is released at midnight in your time zone. To accommodate players around the world, we publish two Strands Sidekicks each day, based on Eastern Standard Time. If you find yourself on the wrong Sidekick, check your puzzle’s number, and go to this page to find its corresponding Sidekick post.

When you finish one of The New York Times’ Strands puzzles, you’ll now see stats and details about your streak. I love Strands but had to break my daily habit for my own sanity, so please don’t judge me on my poor stats.

Wordle, Connections, and Strands are all free, quick games from the New York Times. Here's how they compare in time required, skills needed, and frustration factor. (Also: Where to find hints!)

Strands Sidekick No. 509. Scroll down for hints and conversation about the puzzle for Friday, July 25, 2025. By New York Times Games