How to Play NYT Wordle: Where and How (2026)

To play NYT Wordle, go to nytimes.com/games/wordle or open the NYT Games app, then guess a five-letter word in six tries — green means right letter, right spot, yellow means right letter, wrong spot. It's free, no subscription required, though an account helps keep your streak synced across devices.

Where to play Wordle

There are three official ways to access it, and they behave slightly differently:

1. 1Browser. Go straight to the Wordle page on nytimes.com. This works on any device with a browser and doesn't require installing anything.
2. 2NYT Games app. Available on iOS and Android, it bundles Wordle with Connections, Strands, the Mini and more in one place, and syncs your stats automatically if you're logged in.
3. 3NYT Crossword app. An older bundle app that also carries Wordle for users who haven't switched to the newer Games app.

All three pull from the same daily puzzle, so it doesn't matter which one you use — everyone gets the identical word each day.

Do you need an account?

You can play Wordle without ever creating an account. What you lose is streak tracking across devices: play unlinked on your phone and your laptop, and you'll effectively have two separate streaks instead of one continuous one. If keeping a real streak matters to you, create a free NYT account and log in on every device you play from.

How streak syncing actually works

Once you're logged in, your completed puzzle, guess count and streak sync to your account rather than the browser's local storage. That means clearing your browser cache or switching phones won't wipe your progress — but playing while logged out, even briefly, can create a gap the app can't fill in retroactively.

Is Wordle free?

Yes, Wordle itself is free and has stayed that way since the Times acquired it in 2022, even though most of the rest of NYT Games sits behind a subscription. The Times generally keeps Wordle, Connections, Strands and the Mini free as entry points into the broader Games app. For the full breakdown of what does and doesn't need a subscription, see are NYT games free and the pricing details in how much is NYT Games subscription.

How to actually play a round

1. 1Type any valid five-letter word as your first guess. A strong opener uses common vowels and consonants — words like CRANE or SLATE are popular starting points.
2. 2Read the colours: green tiles are locked in, yellow tiles exist but need to move, grey tiles are eliminated entirely.
3. 3Use the eliminated and confirmed letters to narrow your second guess. Avoid repeating a grey letter.
4. 4Keep tightening until you land the word or run out of your six guesses. The game reveals the answer either way.

What if you'd rather not deal with an account at all

If you want the same daily-word-guessing mechanic without any login or subscription tracking, Quintle on Puzzle Theory plays by identical rules — five letters, six guesses, colour feedback — with a fresh word every day and zero account requirement. It's a clean way to keep a personal streak without linking anything to a Times profile.

What to play alongside Wordle

Most Wordle players end up wanting the rest of the daily lineup too. If Connections is next on your list, our Categories covers the same grouping mechanic, explained further in is there a game similar to NYT Connections. For a broader look at everything in the Times' app, what are NYT Games covers Strands, Spelling Bee, the Mini and the full Crossword in one place.

The short version

Play Wordle in a browser or the NYT Games app, free of charge, with an account only needed if you want your streak to follow you between devices. If you'd rather skip the account altogether, Quintle gives you the same puzzle format with no login and no paywall.