NYT Connections: Hints and answers for February 12, puzzle #612

NYT Connections

The New York Times’ popular puzzle game, Connections, continues to challenge players with its word-association mechanics. The daily puzzle requires identifying hidden links among 16 words and grouping them into four related categories. The February 12 edition, puzzle #612, featured a mix of straightforward and tricky themes that tested players’ logical thinking and pattern recognition.

How NYT Connections works

Connections presents a set of words that players must organize into groups based on a common theme. The puzzle assigns a color-coded difficulty ranking, from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple). Correct guesses lock in a category, while incorrect attempts reduce the remaining chances. Players have four attempts before the game ends.

Each puzzle demands a mix of language skills, problem-solving, and lateral thinking. The game releases a new challenge daily on the NYT Games website and app.

Hints for today’s Connections puzzle (February 12)

For those needing guidance without full answers, here are category hints:

• Yellow – Justification or proof

• Green – Common elements of a TV variety show

• Blue – Objects appearing in a well-known sitcom

• Purple – A reference to a song by Bill Haley & His Comets

Answers for NYT Connections #612

If you’re stuck, here are the answers for today’s puzzle:

• Yellow category: Certificate, Deed, Receipt, Title

• Green category: Dance, Monologue, Sketch, Song

• Blue category: Donut, Pacifier, Saxophone, Skateboard

• Purple category: Android, Rattlesnake, Rollerblade, Shakespeare

Strategies for solving NYT Connections

• Spot the obvious groups first. Common categories like professions, colors, or objects help narrow down options.

• Process of elimination. Identifying one group makes it easier to categorize the remaining words.

• Think creatively. Some themes require outside-the-box thinking, including wordplay or pop culture references.