- Today’s Theme: The puzzle #806 theme is “The Daily Rind,” focusing specifically on a variety of citrus fruits rather than general produce.
- Spangram Location: The Spangram “CITRUS” starts on the third row of the far-left column and traverses horizontally across the center of the grid.
- Key Answers: The six non-spangram solutions include Lime, Orange, Clementine, Pomelo, Kumquat, and Tangerine.
There is nothing quite like the morning zest of a fresh puzzle to wake up the brain. If you opened today’s NYT Strands and felt a bit “sour” about the layout, don’t worry—you aren’t alone. Puzzle #806, released this Monday, May 18, 2026, presents a vibrant grid that plays with our expectations of grocery aisle staples. Whether you are a daily veteran or just stopping by after checking the NYT Mini Crossword Answers Today, let’s peel back the layers of today’s board together.
Deciphering “The Daily Rind”
The clue for today is a clever bit of wordplay. “The Daily Rind” is a pun on the common phrase “the daily grind,” hinting that we should look for items defined by their outer skin or peel. While your first instinct might be to hunt for potatoes or thick-skinned squash, the grid is actually much more specific. We are looking for the zesty, acidic world of Citrus.
Pro-Tip: In Strands, finding “hint words” (non-theme words) fills your hint meter. Today, keep an eye out for LENT, CEMENT, ROLE, and QUIT to unlock official clues if you get stuck!
NYT Strands Hints for May 18, 2026
If you aren’t ready for the full spoilers yet, here are three progressive hints to help you solve it on your own:
- Hint 1: It’s not just any fruit; these are specifically known for having sections and high Vitamin C content.
- Hint 2: One of the words is a 10-letter powerhouse that often shares its name with a popular brand of small oranges.
- Hint 3: Look for a 7-letter word in the bottom right corner that starts with ‘K’—it’s the smallest fruit on the list.
Visual Grid Mapping & Spangram
The Spangram is the “backbone” of the puzzle, touching two opposite sides of the board. For #806, the Spangram is CITRUS.
The Official Answers for NYT Strands #806
Ready to see the full list? Here are the six theme words and the Spangram required to complete the May 18, 2026, puzzle. Much like the Wordle Hints and Answer community, we believe in providing the solutions clearly for those who just want to keep their streak alive!
Spangram: CITRUS
Theme Words:
- LIME
- ORANGE
- CLEMENTINE
- POMELO
- KUMQUAT
- TANGERINE
Why This Puzzle Was Tricky
The inclusion of POMELO and KUMQUAT added a layer of difficulty. While most of us think of lemons and limes immediately, the New York Times Games editors often include one or two less common varieties to test your vocabulary. The word “Clementine” also required a long, winding path through the grid that often tripped up players looking for shorter 4-letter words.
How did you do today? If you managed to find the Spangram first, you’re in the elite tier of solvers! Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for more hints, and if you’re looking for a change of pace, check out our breakdown of The Outlast Trials Meta Shift to see how today’s biggest games are evolving.
