How to Play Connections
Connections is a word grouping puzzle where you must find four groups of four words that share a hidden connection. Each puzzle contains 16 words arranged in a grid. Your goal is to identify all four categories before running out of mistakes.
1. Find the groups
Look at the 16 words and try to identify four groups of four that share a common theme. Categories can range from straightforward (types of fruit) to devious (words that are anagrams of something else). Select four words you believe belong together, then tap Submit to check your guess.
2. Watch your mistakes
You have 4 mistakes allowed per puzzle. Each incorrect guess costs one mistake. If you use all four, the game ends and the remaining groups are revealed. When you are "one away" — meaning 3 of your 4 selected words belong to the same group — you will get a helpful hint to adjust your guess.
3. Difficulty levels
Each group is color-coded by difficulty. Yellow is the most straightforward, green is moderate, blue is tricky, and purple is the most devious — often involving wordplay, hidden patterns, or unexpected connections. Solving easier groups first narrows down the remaining words and makes harder groups more approachable.
Tips for Connections
- Start with what you know. If you can confidently identify a group, submit it first. Eliminating words early makes the remaining groups easier to spot.
- Use the shuffle button. Rearranging the words can break mental blocks and help you see new connections between words that were not adjacent before.
- Look for red herrings. Some words are deliberately designed to fit multiple categories. If a word could go in two groups, consider which placement leaves the other group intact.
- Pay attention to "One Away!" When you see this hint, three of your four words are correct. Try swapping out each word one at a time to find the match.
- Think beyond the obvious. Purple categories often involve wordplay — hidden words inside other words, homophones, anagrams, or compound word patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules of Connections?
Connections presents 16 words that must be sorted into four groups of four. Each group shares a common theme or category. Select four words and submit your guess. Correct guesses reveal the category; incorrect guesses cost one of your four allowed mistakes.
Difficulty: Groups are color-coded from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest). The game ends when you solve all four groups or exhaust your mistakes.
What does "One Away" mean?
When you submit a guess and see "One Away!", it means exactly 3 of your 4 selected words belong to the same group. One word is from a different category. Try swapping out one word at a time to find the correct combination.
When does the daily puzzle reset?
A new puzzle appears every day at midnight UTC. Every player receives the same daily puzzle, making it easy to compare results with friends. Your progress is saved automatically so you can return and continue at any time during the day.
Can I play more than one puzzle per day?
Yes! Unlimited mode generates a random puzzle every time you tap "New Puzzle". Play as many puzzles as you like to sharpen your pattern recognition skills.
How many mistakes can I make?
You are allowed up to 4 mistakes per puzzle. Each incorrect guess uses one mistake. If you use all 4 mistakes, the game ends and any unsolved groups are revealed. Correct guesses never count as mistakes, even if you solve groups in an unexpected order.
About Connections
Connections is a word categorization puzzle that challenges players to find hidden relationships between words. Unlike traditional word games where you spell or guess individual words, Connections tests your ability to see patterns, identify themes, and resist the temptation of cleverly placed red herrings.
The four-tier difficulty system — from straightforward yellow categories to devious purple ones — ensures every puzzle offers layers of challenge. Whether you are a casual player who enjoys spotting obvious groups or a puzzle enthusiast who thrives on cracking the trickiest purple category, Connections delivers a satisfying mental workout in just a few minutes.