NYT Strands #767 Answers & Hints – April 9, 2026

NYT Strands #767 Today's Answers: 'In the Paint' Puzzle for April 9, 2026

If you've landed here, you're probably staring at today's NYT Strands puzzle and wondering what on earth "In the paint" has to do with anything. Puzzle #767, released on April 9, 2026, is tripping up players with a theme that sounds like it could go several directions — and that's exactly the point. Whether you need a nudge in the right direction or the full solution, this guide has you covered.

Strands has rapidly become one of the most talked-about daily word games from The New York Times, and today's puzzle is generating plenty of chatter. The hint "Hand me a brush" combined with the theme "In the paint" is deceptively clever — and if you're thinking basketball or home renovation, you're being led astray on purpose.

What Is NYT Strands? A Quick Refresher

NYT Strands is a daily word puzzle where your goal is to find themed words that fill the entire board — with no leftover letters and no overlaps. Every single letter on the grid belongs to exactly one theme word or the spangram. That tight constraint is what makes it genuinely challenging and satisfying to complete.

Here's how the core mechanics work:

• Theme words highlight in blue when found correctly.
• The spangram — a special bonus word that connects two opposite sides of the board — highlights in yellow.
• Hints are earned by finding non-theme words: every three non-theme words you discover earns you one hint.
• There are seven theme words to find in today's puzzle, including the spangram itself.

The spangram is often the key to unlocking the entire puzzle's logic, since it physically spans the board and reveals the overarching theme in its most direct form.

Today's Theme: 'In the Paint' — What Does It Mean?

The theme for Strands #767 is "In the paint," and the official hint is "Hand me a brush." If your brain immediately jumped to basketball (the painted area near the basket) or painting walls, you're not alone — but that's a misdirect the NYT puzzle team loves to deploy.

The actual theme here is artistic mediums — the different types of paint and materials an artist might use. Think of the kinds of paint you'd find in an art supply store, not on a basketball court. This reframing is the "aha" moment that makes today's puzzle click into place.

According to WEPC's coverage of today's puzzle, once players make the connection to artistic mediums, the theme words become considerably easier to spot within the grid.

Today's Spangram Answer for Strands #767

The spangram for today's NYT Strands puzzle #767 is: MEDIUM

This is the word that spans two opposite sides of the board and highlights in yellow when found. In the context of art, a "medium" refers to the material or technique an artist uses to create a work — oil, acrylic, watercolor, and so on. It's the perfect anchor word for this puzzle's theme, even if it initially sounds more like a psychic's job title or a T-shirt size.

As reported by Yahoo News UK's Strands coverage for April 9, the spangram MEDIUM is what ties the "In the paint" theme together, pointing players toward artistic rather than literal or sporting interpretations of paint.

Hints for Today's Theme Words (Before the Full Reveal)

If you want to keep some of the puzzle-solving satisfaction intact, here are directional hints for the six theme words (not counting the spangram) in Strands #767:

• Hint 1: A water-based paint often used for translucent, layered effects — a classic fine art medium.
• Hint 2: A slow-drying paint made with pigment suspended in oil, beloved by Renaissance masters.
• Hint 3: A fast-drying synthetic paint popular with modern artists for its versatility.
• Hint 4: A painting technique using opaque watercolor mixed with white pigment for a matte finish.
• Hint 5: A drawing medium made from pigment and a binder, used dry on paper or canvas.
• Hint 6: A wax-based art medium that's been a classroom staple for generations.

If those hints aren't enough and you need the full list, MSN's Strands solutions for April 9, game #767 has a complete breakdown of every answer.

Full Answers for NYT Strands #767 — April 9, 2026

Stop scrolling here if you still want to solve it yourself. The complete answers are below.

The seven theme words for today's NYT Strands puzzle #767 ("In the paint") are:

1. MEDIUM (spangram — highlights yellow, spans the board)
2. WATERCOLOR
3. OIL
4. ACRYLIC
5. GOUACHE
6. PASTEL
7. CRAYON

Each of these represents a distinct artistic medium — a way of applying pigment to a surface. Once you see the full list, the theme's brilliance becomes clear: "In the paint" literally means these things are used *in* the act of painting, and "Hand me a brush" confirms the artistic context. MSN's Strands answer guide confirms these solutions align with today's theme structure.

Tips for Getting Better at NYT Strands

If today's puzzle gave you trouble, here are strategies that experienced players use to approach Strands more effectively:

• Start with the spangram. Because it must touch two opposite sides of the board, you can narrow down where it begins and ends. Look for longer words that could plausibly span the grid.
• Take the theme hint literally and figuratively. NYT puzzle editors love double meanings. "In the paint" could mean basketball, home decor, or art — always consider multiple interpretations before committing.
• Use the hint system strategically. Finding non-theme words isn't failure — it's resource gathering. Every three unlocks a free hint, which can be a lifesaver on trickier puzzles like #767.
• Think about word shapes. Theme words must fit together like puzzle pieces with no gaps. If you've found a few words, the remaining letters should start to suggest shapes for what's left.
• Check yesterday's puzzle for context. Yesterday's Strands #766 (April 8) can help you calibrate difficulty expectations and remind yourself of the game's mechanics before tackling today's board.

If you enjoy word puzzles and want to sharpen your vocabulary and pattern recognition off-screen, a word puzzle book for adults or a crossword puzzle book can be great practice tools to keep your brain sharp between daily games.

Frequently Asked Questions About NYT Strands #767

What is the spangram for NYT Strands #767?

The spangram for today's puzzle (April 9, 2026) is MEDIUM. It highlights in yellow and touches two opposite sides of the board, connecting the theme of artistic mediums.

What is the theme for Strands #767?

The theme is "In the paint," with the hint "Hand me a brush." Despite sounding like it could relate to basketball or home improvement, the theme is specifically about artistic mediums — the materials painters use to create art.

How many theme words are in today's Strands puzzle?

There are seven theme words in today's puzzle, including the spangram MEDIUM. The remaining six are WATERCOLOR, OIL, ACRYLIC, GOUACHE, PASTEL, and CRAYON.

How do hints work in NYT Strands?

You earn hints by finding words on the board that are not part of the theme. For every three non-theme words you find, you unlock one hint. Hints reveal the location of a theme word on the board.

Where can I find past NYT Strands answers?

Sites like WEPC and Yahoo News UK publish daily Strands guides with hints, spangrams, and full answers. MSN also maintains an archive of recent solutions for players who want to catch up on missed puzzles.

Conclusion

NYT Strands #767 for April 9, 2026 is a satisfying puzzle that rewards players who think creatively about the theme. The "In the paint" misdirection — steering you toward sports or home improvement before revealing an art supplies theme — is exactly the kind of wordplay that makes Strands so compelling on a daily basis.

The spangram MEDIUM is the anchor, and once you see the full list — WATERCOLOR, OIL, ACRYLIC, GOUACHE, PASTEL, and CRAYON — it all snaps into place. If you found today's puzzle challenging, remember that the hint system exists for a reason, and there's no shame in using it. The best Strands players know when to grind for hints and when to look up a nudge to keep the momentum going.

Come back tomorrow for fresh hints and solutions for Strands #768. In the meantime, happy puzzling.