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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchNYT Strands for Saturday, October 3, 2026, is game #944. Its theme is “A figment of your imagination,” and the spangram is WILLOTHEWISP. Start with the clues below if you want help without seeing every answer.
Hints for October 3’s Strands
Try these in order to keep the puzzle’s answers hidden for as long as possible:
- Theme clue: “A figment of your imagination.”
- Gentle nudge: “Do my eyes deceive me?!”
- Letters to look for: The answer words begin with PH, IL, MI, SP and CH; the spangram begins with WI.
- In-game hint words: SNOT, MONTH, HIRE, SPREE and THRILL can help unlock hints.
- Spangram clue: It has 12 letters and runs from the bottom of the first column to the top of the sixth column.
In Strands, the spangram describes the theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. Parade’s reproduced instructions say that finding three non-theme words earns a hint that reveals letters of a theme answer. These mechanics are attributed to Parade’s account of the instructions, rather than direct verification of the NYT game page.
Answers for October 3, 2026
Spoiler warning: The full answer list and spangram appear below.
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- CHIMERA
- ILLUSION
- MIRAGE
- PHANTASM
- SPECTER
Spangram: WILLOTHEWISP
The spelling of the fifth listed answer differs in the coverage: TechRadar and the puzzle archive use SPECTER, while Parade uses SPECTRE. SPECTER is used here because it is corroborated by two sources. See TechRadar’s October 3 Strands coverage, the October 3 puzzle archive and Parade’s answer guide.
Why “today” can mean a different puzzle
Strands changes daily, with the turnover following midnight in each player’s time zone, according to TechRadar. If you are seeing a different board, check the puzzle date: this answer key is for Saturday, October 3, 2026, game #944.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Board details
The puzzle archive describes this game as a 6-by-8 grid containing 48 letters, with five theme words plus the spangram. Those counts apply to this specific board.
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