Update: We last updated this article with today's NYT Strands Answers on May 16, 2026.

NYT Strands is the new obsession for word puzzle lovers. This game is a captivating hunt for a secret theme hidden in a chaotic grid. If today's puzzle has you stumped, don't worry, we've got the clues and answers you need to solve the mystery. Here is NYT Strands answers today, with hints for May 16, 2026

NYT Strands #804 Hints for May 16, 2026

Here are today’s NYT Strands hints for you.

NYT Strand's theme today is: "Bon appétit!"

While many words may reveal themselves to you, the game’s objective is to find words related to the day’s theme.

Click here to reveal hints for today's NYT Strands
  • Strands hint No. 1: Today’s theme is centered around delicious treats and baked delights commonly associated with a particular European culinary tradition.
  • Strands hint No. 2: Think about sweet pastries and desserts you might find in a charming bakery display.
  • Strands hint No. 3: ME, MA, EC, MO, CR

You don’t need another hint for today’s Strands puzzle.

NYT Strands Answer Today for May 16, 2026

Click here to reveal NYT Strands answers today with all the words plus the spangram word.
  • Spangram word – FRENCHBAKERY
  • Remaining words: MERINGUE, MACARON, ECLAIR, MOUSSE, CROISSANT

Click here to reveal the NYT Strands answers puzzle image.
NYT Strands Answers Today, May 16

This Strands puzzle has a deliciously elegant and dessert-filled theme, centered around classic French pastry and confectionery creations that instantly evoke cafés, patisseries, and refined baking traditions. The vocabulary is richly thematic, blending airy sweets, flaky pastries, and indulgent treats into a grid that feels both sophisticated and highly appetizing. Once the culinary connection becomes clear, the remaining entries fit together naturally through shared cuisine rather than abstract word association. The spangram ties the whole concept together beautifully, making the puzzle feel cohesive, flavorful, and immensely satisfying. I’d rate the difficulty a tasty 3.5 out of 5. 

How did you like today's NYT Strands puzzle? Easy, hard, or meh?

You can also check out today's answers for other NYT puzzles :

NYT Strands Rules

NYT Strands is a word game that is played on a 6x8 letter grid containing seemingly random letters. Each letter must be used in some way so that when all the words have been found, the board is full, leaving no letter unused.

Each puzzle has a theme, but you don't know what the theme is. A hint is provided at the start of the game. You must guess all the common theme-related words that have something in common, leading to the Spangram.

Spangram is a special challenge word or base of the theme. All the words, when solved, are denoted in blue except the Spangram, which is denoted in yellow when guessed correctly and touches two ends of the board, side to side or top to bottom. Spangram denotes what's common between all the other words on the board.

Note: Players can find non-theme words to earn hints. Every 3 non-theme words will unlock a hint.

That's all with the NYT Strands answers today guys. Come back tomorrow for the next one.