NYT Connections Hints for October 29, 2026 — Puzzle #1236

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1236 on October 29, 2026: how many groups there are, a masked theme for each group, then the four categories one at a time, then all sixteen words and the full grouping.

Puzzle date: October 29, 2026 (2026-10-29) · #1236 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-10-29.json). Hints are derived from that day's verified answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

1. The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

2. The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:

T _ _ _ _ _ Y _ _ P _ _ C _ _ _ _ I _ _ _
A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _
E _ _ _ O _ F _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _
T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

THINGS YOU PUT COINS INTO

Show theme 2

ASSOCIATED WITH PENGUINS

Show theme 3

ENDS OF FAMOUS FONTS

Show theme 4

THINGS THAT FEATURE THREE COLORS

NYT Connections answer for October 29, 2026 — puzzle #1236

THINGS YOU PUT COINS INTO

PARKING METER, PIGGY BANK, WISHING WELL, PAYPHONE

ASSOCIATED WITH PENGUINS

TUXEDO, EMPEROR, ANTARCTICA, WADDLE

ENDS OF FAMOUS FONTS

ROMAN, TYPEWRITER, GOTHIC, SANS

THINGS THAT FEATURE THREE COLORS

TRAFFIC LIGHT, CANDY CORN, NEAPOLITAN, CALICO

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