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Verified archive for September 24, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1201

NYT Connections Hints and Answers for September 24, 2026

Connections puzzle #1201 for September 24, 2026 combines costume components, things with springs, pointing imagery and a four-way letter rearrangement.

Guide editorNora BennettSenior Editor

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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

Connections #1201 board overview

The verified source lists Wyna Liu as editor. Difficulty language here describes a possible solving experience rather than an official ranking.

Overall difficultyThe board mixes visual features, costume parts, spring-related objects and exact letter rearrangements, so checking category wording carefully is important.Biggest trapCAPE, BEER HAT, FOAM FINGER and I'M WITH STUPID SHIRT may suggest wearable items. However, FOAM FINGER and I'M WITH STUPID SHIRT share FEATURING POINTING, while CAPE and BEER HAT belong to separate official groups, so the proposed set cannot complete.Best first moveCompare BEER HAT, BREATHE, HERB TEA and THE BEAR letter by letter. Each uses the same letters, which provides a precise four-word set without relying on a broad semantic association.

Why the board is deceptive

Several entries are phrases or named images, so the relevant relationship may be visual rather than purely lexical.

A proposed group should satisfy its category literally for all four words before the remaining entries are evaluated.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Secure the exact anagram set first, then test the four entries featuring pointing. From the remaining eight, separate the vampire-costume parts from the things with spring or springs.

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.

Vampire costume componentsReveal this group

What connects CAPE, FACE PAINT, FAKE BLOOD and FANGS?

CAPE · FACE PAINT · FAKE BLOOD · FANGS

PARTS OF A VAMPIRE COSTUME. CAPE, FACE PAINT, FAKE BLOOD and FANGS are the four entries categorized as PARTS OF A VAMPIRE COSTUME.

Best anchor: Collect the four vampire-costume parts.

Spring-related thingsReveal this group

What connects BOBBLEHEAD, POGO STICK, SNAKES IN A CAN and TRAMPOLINE?

BOBBLEHEAD · POGO STICK · SNAKES IN A CAN · TRAMPOLINE

THINGS WITH SPRING/S. BOBBLEHEAD, POGO STICK, SNAKES IN A CAN and TRAMPOLINE satisfy the official relationship THINGS WITH SPRING/S.

Best anchor: Test each object for the spring-or-springs relationship.

Images that feature pointingReveal this group

What connects CREATION OF ADAM, FOAM FINGER, I'M WITH STUPID SHIRT and UNCLE SAM?

CREATION OF ADAM · FOAM FINGER · I'M WITH STUPID SHIRT · UNCLE SAM

FEATURING POINTING. CREATION OF ADAM, FOAM FINGER, I'M WITH STUPID SHIRT and UNCLE SAM are linked by the official category FEATURING POINTING.

Best anchor: Focus on the pointing feature in each referent.

Exact letter rearrangementsReveal this group

What connects BEER HAT, BREATHE, HERB TEA and THE BEAR?

BEER HAT · BREATHE · HERB TEA · THE BEAR

ANAGRAMS. BEER HAT, BREATHE, HERB TEA and THE BEAR contain the same letters rearranged, making them the four ANAGRAMS.

Best anchor: Normalize spaces and compare every letter.

Today’s supporting guides

Why the trickiest words belong together

These focused articles go beyond the answer: they explain the exact relationship, the convincing red herrings and how to recognize the pattern again.

Supporting clue guidePARTS OF A VAMPIRE COSTUME explained for September 24, 2026Explain this connection Supporting clue guideTHINGS WITH SPRING/S explained for September 24, 2026Explain this connection Supporting clue guideFEATURING POINTING explained for September 24, 2026Explain this connection Supporting clue guideANAGRAMS explained for September 24, 2026Explain this connection Supporting clue guideDefinitions for all 16 puzzle wordsExplain this connection

Browse every Connections clue explainer →

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
    PARTS OF A VAMPIRE COSTUME

    Collect the four vampire-costume parts.

  2. 2
    THINGS WITH SPRING/S

    Test each object for the spring-or-springs relationship.

  3. 3
    FEATURING POINTING

    Focus on the pointing feature in each referent.

  4. 4
    ANAGRAMS

    Normalize spaces and compare every letter.

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: Compare BEER HAT, BREATHE, HERB TEA and THE BEAR letter by letter. Each uses the same letters, which provides a precise four-word set without relying on a broad semantic association..

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.

This relationship depends on identifying all four entries as parts of the same costume concept. groupVampire costume components
PARTS OF A VAMPIRE COSTUME: Collect the four vampire-costume parts.
The category uses the broad relationship “with spring/s,” so it should not be narrowed to one particular function. groupSpring-related things
THINGS WITH SPRING/S: Test each object for the spring-or-springs relationship.
Solving this set requires identifying the pointing feature across artwork, objects, clothing imagery and a national symbol. groupImages that feature pointing
FEATURING POINTING: Focus on the pointing feature in each referent.
The connection becomes precise when spaces are ignored and the letters in each entry are compared. groupExact letter rearrangements
ANAGRAMS: Normalize spaces and compare every letter.

Language background

Useful guides for today’s wordplay

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

Language guideCreation of Adam Meaning: The Artwork and Its Connections Clue

Go deeper on this word or phrase without duplicating the puzzle explanation.

Read the language guide Language guideFoam Finger Meaning: Sports Support and the Connections Link

Go deeper on this word or phrase without duplicating the puzzle explanation.

Read the language guide Language guideUncle Sam Meaning: U.S. Symbol and Connections Context

Go deeper on this word or phrase without duplicating the puzzle explanation.

Read the language guide

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

Nora Bennett

An editor focused on spoiler-conscious daily puzzle guides and plain-English solving explanations.

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