Today’s NYT Strands (Puzzle #704) for Thursday, February 5, 2026, plays a clever numbers game. The theme “Quint-essential” isn’t about perfection—it’s a pun on the prefix “Quint,” meaning five. Every answer in today’s grid is a famous group of five items.
Whether you are looking for the Spangram or just need to find that last elusive category, we have the full breakdown below.
Puzzle Analysis
Today’s grid is populated by categories that traditionally consist of exactly five members.
- Theme: “Quint-essential”
- Spangram: Touches two opposite sides of the board.
- Total Words: 7 (including the Spangram).
- Vibe: General knowledge and trivia.
Hints for Today’s Puzzle
Need a nudge without the full reveal? Here are your clues to help you connect the letters.
1. The Theme Hint
Think of things that come in sets of five—like fingers on a hand or working days in a week.
2. Word Clues
- Hint A: New York City is famous for having five of these (e.g., Brooklyn, Queens).
- Hint B: Sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing make up this group.
- Hint C: The Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Southern.
- Hint D: A, E, I, O, U (and sometimes Y).
3. Spangram Hint
A phrase used when asking someone to slap your hand in celebration (referencing the five fingers).
Spoilers Below!
Warning: The section below contains the direct answers for today’s puzzle.
Today’s Spangram
The Spangram for February 5 is:
GIVEMEFIVE
Full Word List
Here are the 6 theme words found in the grid:
- BOROUGHS
- SENSES
- OCEANS
- VOWELS
- TOES
- WEEKDAYS
How to Play Strands
If you are new to the New York Times Strands game, here is the quick rundown:
- Find Words: Connect letters horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to form words related to the daily theme.
- The Spangram: One special word (the “Spangram”) describes the puzzle’s theme and spans across the entire board, touching two opposite sides.
- Blue vs. Yellow: Theme words turn blue when found. The Spangram turns yellow.
- Hints: Find 3 non-theme words to earn a hint, which reveals the letters of a theme word.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Strands answer for February 5?
The solutions for the February 5 puzzle include BOROUGHS, SENSES, OCEANS, VOWELS, TOES, and WEEKDAYS.
What is the Spangram for today?
The Spangram is GIVEMEFIVE.
When does Strands reset?
The puzzle resets daily at midnight local time.
