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Verified archive for September 3, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1180

NYT Connections Hints and Answers for September 3, 2026

The September 3, 2026 board combines time expressions, red shades, toy car brands, and spreadsheet functions.

Guide editorEthan ParkEditor

Start here

Take one step at a time

4 groups
Group 1Category hidden
Group 2Category hidden
Group 3Category hidden
Group 4Category hidden

Need more than a hint?

Get a spoiler-safe solving plan

Use three general checks to make progress without seeing a category or answer.

Open today’s solving plan
  1. Prefer an exact rule.A shared topic is only a lead. Look for four words connected in the same precise way.
  2. Find the least flexible word.Use the word with the narrowest meaning to place words that could belong in several groups.
  3. Test the grammar.If the leftovers look unrelated, try placing one common word before or after each answer.

Reveal guide

Choose only as much help as you need

Every group has its own ladder. Opening one level never exposes another group.

  1. 1
    Start with a small hint

    Get a gentle nudge without seeing the category or its words.

  2. 2
    Ask for a stronger hint

    Use a more specific clue before revealing the category.

  3. 3
    Reveal only what you choose

    Open the category, then the four words only when you are ready.

You remain in control. You can move between levels without revealing the rest of the puzzle.

Practice board guide

Try a group without risking your streak

This scratchpad checks your thinking locally. It never sends a guess to the official puzzle.

  1. 1
    Choose four words

    Tap any four tiles that share one precise connection.

  2. 2
    Check the set

    Once four are selected, press “Check these four.”

  3. 3
    Keep it or adjust

    A correct group is confirmed. If it misses, swap one word or open a hint.

Nothing here affects an official streak. Clear the board at any time and try another four.

Today’s puzzle explained

September 3, 2026 Connections Overview

Possible overlaps should be treated as player-facing observations only. The official category relationships are preserved literally, and no editorial intention is inferred.

Overall difficultyThe verified color order places the groups from yellow through purple, with yellow first and purple last.Biggest trapA player may notice that several words suggest speed, color, calculation, or toys, but a proposed set must contain four words from one official category.Best first moveStart with the spreadsheet functions: AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, and SUM form a tightly defined set.

Why the board is deceptive

The board contains four official groups: a time-expression category, shades of red, toy car brands, and spreadsheet functions.

The color order runs from yellow to purple, so the verified group order supplies the only difficulty framework used here.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

First remove the spreadsheet functions AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, and SUM. Next collect the four red terms CARMINE, CINNABAR, MAROON, and VERMILLION, then identify the toy car brands and finish with the short-time expressions.

Spoilers below

Today’s groups and answers

Each group stays hidden until you choose to open it. Reveal one at a time, or keep this section closed while you continue solving.

TWO SHAKES OF A LAMB'S TAILReveal this group

What connects BLINK, FLASH, HEARTBEAT and TRICE?

BLINK · FLASH · HEARTBEAT · TRICE

TWO SHAKES OF A LAMB'S TAIL. These four official words fit the category literally as expressions associated with a very brief interval or moment.

Best anchor: The exact connection is a short span of time.

SHADES OF REDReveal this group

What connects CARMINE, CINNABAR, MAROON and VERMILLION?

CARMINE · CINNABAR · MAROON · VERMILLION

SHADES OF RED. CARMINE, CINNABAR, MAROON, and VERMILLION are the four words placed under the exact source category SHADES OF RED.

Best anchor: The shared category is red color terminology.

TOY CAR BRANDSReveal this group

What connects HOT WHEELS, MATCHBOX, MICRO MACHINES and TONKA?

HOT WHEELS · MATCHBOX · MICRO MACHINES · TONKA

TOY CAR BRANDS. The official relationship is simply TOY CAR BRANDS, covering HOT WHEELS, MATCHBOX, MICRO MACHINES, and TONKA.

Best anchor: These four words are toy car brand names.

SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONSReveal this group

What connects AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX and SUM?

AVERAGE · COUNT · MAX · SUM

SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS. AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, and SUM are grouped by the exact source category SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS.

Best anchor: The anchor is a set of spreadsheet calculation names.

How to solve this Connections puzzle

The thinking route, not just the answers

Use today’s anchor words as a repeatable method: secure an exact group, remove it, and let the remaining board become more specific.

  1. 1
    TWO SHAKES OF A LAMB'S TAIL

    The exact connection is a short span of time.

  2. 2
    SHADES OF RED

    The shared category is red color terminology.

  3. 3
    TOY CAR BRANDS

    These four words are toy car brand names.

  4. 4
    SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS

    The anchor is a set of spreadsheet calculation names.

Mental model to reuse tomorrow

Exact relationship beats shared topic

Weak rule“These words feel related.”A broad topic can support several tempting but unstable groups.

Strong rule“The same test works for all four.”One precise relationship should explain every answer in the same way.

Today’s best first move: Start with the spreadsheet functions: AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, and SUM form a tightly defined set..

Build your solving vocabulary

Four anchors worth spotting

An anchor is the least flexible word in a possible group. It often exposes the intended relationship before the more ambiguous words do.

yellow groupTWO SHAKES OF A LAMB'S TAIL
TWO SHAKES OF A LAMB'S TAIL: The exact connection is a short span of time.
green groupSHADES OF RED
SHADES OF RED: The shared category is red color terminology.
blue groupTOY CAR BRANDS
TOY CAR BRANDS: These four words are toy car brand names.
purple groupSPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS
SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS: The anchor is a set of spreadsheet calculation names.

Language background

Useful guides for today’s wordplay

These independent language explainers add definition, origin or usage context where it genuinely helps.

Questions players ask

Connections help without extra spoilers

I’m stuck. Which hint should I open first?

Start with the small hint for the group you feel closest to solving. Use the stronger hint only if the first nudge is not enough, then reveal the category or four words when you want confirmation.

What should I do when five words seem to belong together?

Assume one is a red herring. Look for the word with a strong second meaning, then test whether it forms a cleaner group elsewhere.

What does “Test a group” do?

Select four words and choose “Check these four” to see whether your grouping works. It stays on this page and never submits a guess to the official puzzle or affects a streak.

Do I need to solve the groups in difficulty order?

No. Start with the clearest exact set. Removing an obvious group often exposes the overlapping meanings and wordplay in the harder groups.

Can I check one answer without spoiling the whole puzzle?

Yes. Every group opens independently, so you can reveal one hint, category or set of four words while keeping the other groups hidden.

About the guide editor

Ethan Park

Ethan turns word patterns and solving routes into concise, accessible guidance for daily players.

Read Ethan’s profile →