Need a nudge or the full solution? This guide is for the NYT Connections board published Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Start with the spoiler-safe clues, then open the clearly marked section below only if you want the category names and all 16 answers.
Spoiler-safe hints for September 1
In group order, the clues are:
- You got it.
- They have the same shape.
- Like Jim Rockford.
- Each phrase or word has a related beginning.
For a slightly stronger nudge, one answer in each group is CROSS MY HEART, ARROW, HERCULE POIROT, and AIMEE MANN.
How Connections works
Connections asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four that share a connection. The groups use yellow, green, blue, and purple difficulty colors; four mistakes end the puzzle.
Spoilers: September 1 category names and answers
The four groupings below reveal the complete solution.
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Yellow — “I PROMISE!”
- CROSS MY HEART
- FOR REAL
- ON GOD
- PINKY SWEAR
Green — “LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER”
- ARROW
- GOLF CLUB
- PICK-UP STICK
- SPAGHETTO
Blue — “PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION”
- HERCULE POIROT
- MIKE HAMMER
- SAM SPADE
- SHERLOCK HOLMES
Purple — “STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION”
- AIMEE MANN
- HOPE DIAMOND
- PLANETARIUM
- WISHY-WASHY
About the puzzle number
Two September 1 guides agree on the four answer groups but give different puzzle numbers: Anagrammer lists #1257, while Parade lists #1178. The discrepancy is unresolved, so this guide identifies the board by its publication date rather than presenting either number as definitive.
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