NYT Connections Hints and Answers for Friday, January 9, 2026 (Game #943)

Need a nudge before you solve? Start with the spoiler-free clues below. The full category labels and word groups appear after a clear warning. This is NYT Connections game #943, dated Friday, January 9, 2026, according to Try Hard Guides and TechRadar.

Spoiler-free hints for Connections #943

• Yellow: Think of things associated with one vivid color.
• Green: These words appear in expressions about being in a difficult or risky position.
• Blue: Look for musical acts whose names start with numbers; the numbers are missing from the grid words.
• Purple: Each word resembles a cardinal direction with its first letter changed.

Full answers for Friday, January 9

Spoilers below: The category labels and all sixteen answers follow.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Puzzle Mania!: Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More! (New York Times Games Books)	$26.60	Buy on Amazon
2		The New York Times Strictly Medium Crossword Puzzles Volume 1: 200 Medium Puzzles	$7.75	Buy on Amazon
3		The New York Times A Puzzle a Day: 365 Crossword Puzzles for a Year of Fun	$12.00	Buy on Amazon
4		The New York Times Greatest Hits of Monday Crossword Puzzles: 100 Easy Puzzles	$6.99	Buy on Amazon
5		The New York Times Mega Book of Sunday Crosswords: 500 Puzzles	$11.71	Buy on Amazon

How the wordplay works

Numbered musical acts

Restore the omitted starting numbers to get 6 Mafia, 2 Chainz, One Direction, and 4 Non Blondes.

Changed directions

COUTH, FORTH, LEST, and OAST each differ by one first letter from SOUTH, NORTH, WEST, and EAST, respectively.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1

Puzzle Mania!: Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More! (New York Times Games Books)

$26.60

SaleBestseller No. 2

The New York Times Strictly Medium Crossword Puzzles Volume 1: 200 Medium Puzzles

$7.75

SaleBestseller No. 3

The New York Times A Puzzle a Day: 365 Crossword Puzzles for a Year of Fun

$12.00

SaleBestseller No. 4

The New York Times Greatest Hits of Monday Crossword Puzzles: 100 Easy Puzzles

$6.99

SaleBestseller No. 5

The New York Times Mega Book of Sunday Crosswords: 500 Puzzles

$11.71

Best Value

Sale

The New York Times Mega Book of Sunday Crosswords: 500 Puzzles

$11.71

Buy on Amazon

Rank #4

Sale

The New York Times Greatest Hits of Monday Crossword Puzzles: 100 Easy Puzzles

$6.99

Buy on Amazon

Rank #3

Sale

The New York Times A Puzzle a Day: 365 Crossword Puzzles for a Year of Fun

$12.00

Buy on Amazon

Rank #2

Sale

The New York Times Strictly Medium Crossword Puzzles Volume 1: 200 Medium Puzzles

$7.75

Buy on Amazon

#1 Best Overall

Sale

Puzzle Mania!: Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More! (New York Times Games Books)

$26.60

Buy on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.