Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe July 21, 2025, NYT Strands puzzle is game #505, themed “I fold!” The spangram is ORIGAMI. If you want a nudge before the full reveal, start with the paper-creations clue below.
Spoiler-free hint
The theme is “I fold!” Think of things made by folding paper. For a gentler nudge, the theme words include familiar objects and creatures.
Letter-pair hints
Use these pairs to locate the words without seeing the complete answers:
- FI
- CR
- BO
- FR
- KI
- BU
- HE
- FL
- OR
The first eight pairs begin the theme words; OR begins the spangram.
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Spangram hint
The seven-letter spangram crosses the board from the left side at row four to the right side at row five.
Full answers for Strands #505
Spangram: ORIGAMI
Theme words: BOAT, BUTTERFLY, CRANE, FISH, FLOWER, FROG, HEART, KITE.
How to earn an in-game hint
Find three non-theme words to unlock a hint. The hint highlights the first letter of a theme word. TechRadar and Forbes describe this hint mechanic in their guides to the puzzle.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Answer cross-check
The complete answer set is supported by the July 21 archive entry at Strands Solution and dated guides from Forbes and TechRadar. These are secondary guides; an accessible official NYT archive record for this date was not established. TechRadar’s guide appeared July 20 and explains that the daily puzzle rolls over at midnight in each player’s time zone, which accounts for its publication date preceding the puzzle date.
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