NYT Connections Puzzle #638: February 21, 2026 – The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Today’s Challenge

The New York Times Connections puzzle continues to captivate word game enthusiasts across the globe, and today’s edition (#638, dated February 21, 2026) delivers another brain-bending experience that will test even the most seasoned players. With its signature mix of straightforward categories and those notoriously tricky purple groups, this puzzle exemplifies why Connections has become a daily ritual for millions of puzzle lovers.

The Hidden Word Challenge That’s Stumping Players

Today’s puzzle features one of those infamous purple categories where players must identify words hidden within other words—a mechanic that has become synonymous with the most challenging Connections puzzles. This particular configuration has left many players scratching their heads, searching for the clever linguistic connections that tie everything together.

The puzzle’s structure follows the classic Connections format: 16 words arranged in a 4×4 grid, waiting to be sorted into four distinct categories of four words each. The categories are color-coded by difficulty, with yellow being the most accessible and purple representing the ultimate challenge.

Breaking Down Today’s Categories

Yellow Group: The Foundation of Experience

The yellow category, typically the easiest, revolves around the theme of “Experience.” The four words that belong together are: background, history, life, and past. These terms all represent different facets of accumulated knowledge and lived moments, forming the foundation upon which expertise is built. This category serves as a gentle warm-up for the more challenging groupings to come.

Green Group: The Attendance Roll Call

Moving up in difficulty, the green category focuses on “Attendance Status.” The words that complete this group are: absent, excused, late, and present. This collection represents the various states of presence or absence that might appear on a classroom roster or workplace attendance sheet. It’s a practical category that grounds the puzzle in everyday terminology.

Blue Group: Celebrating Your Puzzle Performance

The blue category takes a more subjective turn, centering on “Commentary About Your Connections Results.” The four words here are: great, perfect, phew, and solid. These terms represent the various reactions and assessments players might have after completing a puzzle, ranging from triumphant declarations to relieved acknowledgments of a job well done.

Purple Group: The Automotive Wordplay Extravaganza

The purple category delivers the signature challenge that Connections is known for. Today’s theme is “Car Brands Plus Two Letters,” featuring the following answers: audits (Audi), Dodgers (Dodge), Infinitive (Infiniti), and Minion (Mini). This category requires players to recognize automotive brands that have been extended by adding exactly two letters to create new, recognizable words. It’s this kind of lateral thinking that separates the casual players from the true Connections masters.

Mastering the Game: Strategies and Tips

For those looking to improve their Connections performance, several strategies can prove invaluable. First, always start with the yellow category, as these tend to be the most straightforward and can provide momentum for tackling the more difficult groupings. Look for obvious connections in themes, parts of speech, or common usage.

When approaching the purple category, think outside the box. These categories often involve wordplay, hidden meanings, or unconventional connections that require creative thinking. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations, even if they seem unlikely at first glance.

The Connections Bot, available after completing your puzzle, offers valuable insights into your performance. Registered Times Games users can track their progress over time, monitoring statistics like completion rates, win percentages, and streak lengths. This data can help identify patterns in your solving approach and highlight areas for improvement.

The Broader Connections Ecosystem

Connections has become more than just a standalone puzzle—it’s part of a comprehensive daily gaming routine that includes Wordle, The Mini Crossword, and other popular offerings from The New York Times Games section. The introduction of the Connections Bot mirrors the success of similar tools for other games, providing players with immediate feedback and detailed analysis of their performance.

The social aspect of Connections shouldn’t be underestimated. Many players enjoy comparing their results with friends, family, and colleagues, turning what could be a solitary activity into a shared daily experience. The puzzle’s design encourages this kind of social interaction, with its perfect score system and streak tracking creating natural conversation starters.

Why Connections Continues to Dominate

The enduring popularity of Connections speaks to its perfect balance of accessibility and challenge. Unlike some word games that can feel either too simple or impossibly difficult, Connections hits that sweet spot where players feel both challenged and capable. The variety in category types ensures that no two puzzles feel exactly alike, while the consistent format provides a comforting sense of familiarity.

Moreover, Connections taps into something fundamental about how our brains work. The process of pattern recognition, category formation, and associative thinking that the game requires mirrors cognitive processes we use in everyday life, making it feel both challenging and rewarding in equal measure.

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