Connections Hints and Answers for Thursday, October 29, 2026 (#1236)
Stuck on NYT Connections #1236 for Thursday, October 29, 2026? Below are spoiler-free hints and clues for all four color groups, the red herrings to avoid, the four category names, and the full answers, each hidden until you open it.
A friendly board with one typography group; a few words describe looks rather than objects, and a cartoon-ready bird could pull you off track.
| Puzzle | NYT Connections #1236 |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, October 29, 2026 |
| Editor | Wyna Liu |
| Difficulty | 2 out of 5 |
| Next puzzle | #1237 unlocks at midnight your local time (Friday, October 30, 2026) |
Connections #1236 hints and clues
Each color group has three clues. Open one at a time: each gives away a little more than the last, and none of them shows the category name.
Yellow group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Where does your spare change end up?
Hint 2: a stronger push
Each has a slot for loose change: one on the street, one in a kid’s bedroom, one in an old booth, one in a fairy tale.
Hint 3: reveal one word
One of the words is PIGGY BANK.
Green group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Picture a chilly, flightless bird in a nature documentary.
Hint 2: a stronger push
Think of where this bird lives, its largest species, its formal-looking feathers, and the way it walks.
Hint 3: reveal one word
One of the words is WADDLE.
Blue group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Open the dropdown menu in a word processor.
Hint 2: a stronger push
Each word is the last part of a well-known typeface’s name.
Hint 3: reveal one word
One of the words is ROMAN, as in Times New Roman.
Purple group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Count the shades in each of these.
Hint 2: a stronger push
Each is known for showing exactly a trio of hues, from a cat’s coat to an ice cream carton.
Hint 3: reveal one word
One of the words is CANDY CORN.
Connections #1236 red herrings
Words that look like they belong together but don’t. Seeing them can save you a mistake.
Show the traps
- TUXEDO, CALICO: Both can describe a cat’s coat, so a cat group looks likely, but there isn’t one.
- EMPEROR, ROMAN: Together they suggest ancient Rome, yet the board has no history group.
Connections #1236 categories
Knowing the theme is often enough to finish. These are the four category names, without the words.
Show the four categories
- Yellow: THINGS YOU PUT COINS INTO
- Green: ASSOCIATED WITH PENGUINS
- Blue: ENDS OF FAMOUS FONTS
- Purple: THINGS THAT FEATURE THREE COLORS
Connections #1236 answers
All 16 words sorted into their groups, with why each one fits. Spoilers inside.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow: THINGS YOU PUT COINS INTO
PARKING METER, PAYPHONE, PIGGY BANK, WISHING WELL
You drop coins into each of these.
- PARKING METER — Pays for a street parking spot.
- PAYPHONE — Coins buy a call.
- PIGGY BANK — A classic way to save change.
- WISHING WELL — Toss a coin and make a wish.
Green: ASSOCIATED WITH PENGUINS
ANTARCTICA, EMPEROR, TUXEDO, WADDLE
Each word is closely linked to penguins.
- ANTARCTICA — Home to many penguin species.
- EMPEROR — The largest penguin species.
- TUXEDO — Penguins look like they are wearing one.
- WADDLE — How penguins walk on land.
Blue: ENDS OF FAMOUS FONTS
GOTHIC, ROMAN, SANS, TYPEWRITER
Each word finishes the name of a famous typeface.
- GOTHIC — Century Gothic.
- ROMAN — Times New Roman.
- SANS — Comic Sans.
- TYPEWRITER — American Typewriter.
Purple: THINGS THAT FEATURE THREE COLORS
CALICO, CANDY CORN, NEAPOLITAN, TRAFFIC LIGHT
Each of these is known for having three colors.
- CALICO — A cat coat of orange, black and white.
- CANDY CORN — Yellow, orange and white stripes.
- NEAPOLITAN — Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream.
- TRAFFIC LIGHT — Red, yellow and green.