NYT Strands Hints, Answers for Nov. 29, 2025 (Game #636)

Written by Anish – TechBoltX | Updated: November 29, 2025

Overview — Strands #636 (Theme: “What a piece of work!”)

Today’s Strands puzzle (#636) leans into an engineering/DIY motif: simple machines. If you’re not seeing the answers right away, don’t fret — the letter web can hide straightforward tools and parts. Below you’ll find spoiler-light hints, the clue words that unlocked in-game hints for me, a quick strategy for using Strands’ hint tokens, the full answer list, the spangram, and a short walkthrough to help you finish the board quickly.

Spoiler-light hints

• Theme hint: What a piece of work! — think basic mechanical parts and tools from a workshop.
• Extra clue: You can build it in a shop. This points toward classic “simple machines” used in physics and mechanical work.
• Sample 4+ letter words that help get clue tokens: CREW, REAM, LANE, WHEE, DELL, CANE, PULL, REVEL.

How to use in-game hints efficiently

Find any three valid words of four letters or more and Strands will reveal one theme word. Start by scanning for obvious short tool names (e.g., SCREW, PLANE) or multipart words (WHEEL, AXLE). Unlock one theme word early — it will reveal letters that make finding the longer themed answers much faster.

Full answers (SPOILERS) — Strands #636

These are the theme answers you need to complete today’s board:

• WHEEL
• AXLE
• LEVER
• WEDGE
• PLANE
• PULLEY
• SCREW

Each is a classic simple machine or component used to multiply force/motion in workshops and machines.

Spangram (the big theme word)

SIMPLEMACHINE — the spangram ties the whole puzzle together. To find it on the board, start with the S that’s three letters to the right on the top row, then wind over and down across the grid.

Quick placement tips & walkthrough

• After the spangram appears, look first for longer answers (PULLEY, SIMPLEMACHINE visibility helps).
• Anchor the board with WHEEL and AXLE — they often cluster together.
• Shorter, distinctive words like SCREW and WEDGE are usually tucked into corners near the spangram letters.

FAQ — Strands #636

Q: What is today’s spangram?

A: SIMPLEMACHINE.

Q: How many theme words were there today?

A: Seven theme words plus the spangram.

Q: How do I get Strands hints fast?

A: Find any three words of four or more letters to unlock one theme-word reveal; start with obvious shop/tool words to trigger useful hints.

Q: When does Strands reset?

A: NYT Strands refreshes daily at midnight Eastern Time.