Connectionsis a challenging word-sorting puzzle game. It seems simple on its face, but it is a pretty difficult game to play and get good at. If you are stuck on today’s puzzle, you aren’t alone; this one was pretty hard.
This article has a lot of helpful hints, and it is designed for those who already knowhow to playConnectionsand are stuck on today’s puzzle. Below, you can find general hints, clues to the categories, and all sorts of spoilers as well to help you out.

Words in the NYT Connections Puzzle #396 for June 30, 2025
TheConnectionspuzzle for today contains the following words:Tape, Recording, Hand, Send, Applause, Key, Pass, Principal, Ruler, Walk, Staple, Pen, Essential, Scissors, Give, and Exit.
Hints for the NYT Connections Puzzle
Here is a selection of hints for thisfree mobile puzzle game similar toWordle. In each section, you can find general hints, spoilers, and other things to help you solve today’s puzzle.
- There are no categories about recordings or film.

- Give and Hand belong in the same category.
Yellow NYT Connections Category Hints
Here are some hints for the yellow/straightforward answer in thisinnovative puzzle game:Back to school shopping list.
Yellow Connections Category Answer and All Four Words
The answer to the yellow/straightforwardConnectionsisSchool Supplies.
The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Pen, Ruler, Scissors, Tape.
Green Connections Category Answer and All Four Words
The answer to the green/medium difficultyConnectionsisFundamental.
The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Essential, Key, Principal, Staple.
Blue Connections Category Answer and All Four Words
The answer to the blue/difficultConnectionsisTransfer.
The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Give, Hand, Pass, Send.
Purple NYT Connections Category Hints
Here are some hints for the purple/tricky answer in thischallenging puzzle game:Things you might see in a recording studio, perhaps.
Purple Connections Category Answer and All Four Words
The answer to the purple/tricky difficulty inConnectionsisLight-Up Signs.
The four words for this group in the puzzle are:Applause, Exit, Recording, Walk.
Answers for Today’s NYT Connections #396 for June 23, 2025
TheNew York Times GamesConnectionsanswer is in the expandable section below. you’re able to see all four categories and the words that go in each one.
Want to play? Check out theNew York Times Games Connectionswebsite available on almost any device with a browser.
