Connections archive · Puzzle #1131
NYT Connections Hints & Answers — July 16, 2026 (#1131)
Group hints and answers for the NYT Connections puzzle on . Get a spoiler-free nudge for each group, or reveal the full solution — your call.
Difficulty: Medium
Spoiler control
Choose how much to reveal
Reveal one step at a time — nudges first, full answers only if you ask.
1. Group nudges spoiler-free
- Yellow: Items or treatments used in a facial-care routine
- Green: Words used to describe especially dark colors
- Blue: Things that suggest exact aim, timing, or fine accuracy
- Purple: Each phrase begins with a different word for a small mark
2. One word from each group a foothold
- Yellow: CLAY MASK
- Green: CHARCOAL
- Blue: BULLSEYE
- Purple: DOT MATRIX
3. The four category names no words yet
- Yellow: SKINCARE PRODUCTS
- Green: SHADES OF BLACK
- Blue: ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION
- Purple: STARTING WITH TINY MARKS
4. Reveal groups one by one
Yellow group
SKINCARE PRODUCTS
- CLAY MASK
- EYE CREAM
- PEEL
- TONER
Green group
SHADES OF BLACK
- CHARCOAL
- INK
- JET
- PITCH
Blue group
ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION
- BULLSEYE
- CLOCKWORK
- LASER
- NEEDLE
Purple group
STARTING WITH TINY MARKS
- DOT MATRIX
- PERIOD PIECE
- POINT BREAK
- SPOT REMOVER
5. Reveal everything full spoilers
Yellow — SKINCARE PRODUCTS
- CLAY MASK
- EYE CREAM
- PEEL
- TONER
Green — SHADES OF BLACK
- CHARCOAL
- INK
- JET
- PITCH
Blue — ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION
- BULLSEYE
- CLOCKWORK
- LASER
- NEEDLE
Purple — STARTING WITH TINY MARKS
- DOT MATRIX
- PERIOD PIECE
- POINT BREAK
- SPOT REMOVER
NYT Connections #1131 — quick answers
What are today's Connections categories?
SKINCARE PRODUCTS; SHADES OF BLACK; ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION; STARTING WITH TINY MARKS.
What are all the answers?
- SKINCARE PRODUCTS: CLAY MASK, EYE CREAM, PEEL, TONER
- SHADES OF BLACK: CHARCOAL, INK, JET, PITCH
- ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION: BULLSEYE, CLOCKWORK, LASER, NEEDLE
- STARTING WITH TINY MARKS: DOT MATRIX, PERIOD PIECE, POINT BREAK, SPOT REMOVER
Also for: Connections hints 7/16/26, 7-16-26, 7 16 26, 7/16/2026, and puzzle #1131.
Also stuck on Strands, Wordle, Spelling Bee or Mini Crossword ?
Today's puzzle, in a nutshell
The skincare and color groups offer approachable entries, though INK, TONER, and CHARCOAL invite a printing-related false start. Purple becomes clear only after reading each two-word entry as beginning with a synonym for a very small mark.