CClue Cache
Monday, March 30, 2026  ·  Your daily stash of puzzle hints. Answers stay hidden until you ask for them.
All today's puzzles
Strands · Hints and answers

Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 30, 2026

NYT theme clue: "For a rainy day" · Edited by Tracy Bennett

Monday's Strands board has seven theme words plus a 12-letter spangram, under the NYT clue "For a rainy day". The ladder below climbs from the theme to the spangram - take one hint at a time.

Hints, in order

Hint 0 of 3

Tap to show one hint at a time.

Hint 1 of 3

The NYT clue is "For a rainy day" - take it literally before you take it sideways. The spangram runs 12 letters and touches opposite sides of the board.

Hint 2 of 3

The seven theme words run 4 to 6 letters (lengths: 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6). Every one of them belongs to the family the clue points at.

Hint 3 of 3

The spangram starts with U and ends with M. It is UMBRELLATERM - find it and the rest of the board falls into place.

Spangram and theme words

The spangram first, then all seven theme words.

SPANGRAM
UMBRELLATERM
BUTTONTheme word
CANOPYTheme word
HANDLETheme word
PANELTheme word
RIBSTheme word
SHAFTTheme word
VENTTheme word
Next on the board
NYT Mini Crossword →
A 5x5 grid. Show one answer at a time, or open the full grid.