NYT Connections Maker
Create your own NYT-style Connections puzzle with 4 groups of 4 connected words
Design Custom Connections Puzzles Like The New York Times
Welcome to the ultimate Connections puzzle creator! Just like the popular NYT Connections game, you can now design your own word puzzles with four themed groups. Challenge friends, create educational puzzles for students, or design themed puzzles for special occasions. Our easy-to-use maker lets you build professional-quality Connections games in minutes.
Preview
This is how your categories will appear after players find them:
How to Create Great Connections Puzzles
Choose Clear Categories
Your four categories should be distinct but not immediately obvious. Good examples include: “Things that are RED”, “Types of BREAD”, “SHAKESPEARE plays”, or “Words that follow FIRE”. Avoid categories that are too similar or could overlap.
Balance Difficulty Levels
Follow the NYT Connections difficulty pattern: Yellow (easiest) should be straightforward, Green (easy) requires some thought, Blue (medium) needs careful consideration, and Purple (hardest) should be the trickiest with wordplay or less obvious connections.
Add Red Herrings
The best Connections puzzles include words that could fit into multiple categories. For example, “SPRING” could be a season, a metal coil, or mean to jump. This creates the satisfying “aha!” moment when players find the right grouping.
Test Your Puzzle
Before sharing, try to solve your own puzzle or have a friend test it. Make sure there's only one logical way to group the words and that your categories are neither too easy nor impossibly obscure.
Creative Theme Ideas for Your Connections
- Pop Culture: Movie titles, song lyrics, TV shows, celebrities
- Academic: Scientific terms, historical events, literary devices
- Seasonal: Holiday themes, seasonal activities, weather terms
- Personal: Inside jokes, shared memories, favorite things
- Wordplay: Homophones, rhymes, compound words, idioms
- Geographic: Cities, landmarks, countries, rivers
- Professional: Industry terms, job titles, business concepts
Start Creating Your Connections Puzzle
Join thousands of puzzle enthusiasts who are creating custom Connections games. It's free, fun, and you can share your creations instantly with anyone!