Today's New York Times Strands puzzle (#309, January 6, 2025) challenges players to decipher a theme from the clue "In Neutral" and uncover seven related words within a letter grid. The puzzle's difficulty is well-known among Strands players. This article provides assistance, ranging from general hints to the complete solution.

The puzzle grid and clue.

Hints and Clues:

Need help but want to avoid spoilers? These hints offer general guidance towards the puzzle's theme:

• Hint 1: Consider items commonly found in neutral tones.
• Hint 2: Think about colors.
• Hint 3: Focus on subtle, neutral shades.

Partial Solutions (Spoilers):

Prefer a little more direction without revealing the entire solution? Here are two words:

• Word 1: Cream
• Word 2: Eggshell

Complete Solution:

Ready for the answer? The theme is "Off-White." The seven words are: Eggshell, Vanilla, Cream, Linen, Ivory, Champagne, and the pangram.

Solution Explanation:

Off-white colors are shades that are nearly white but contain subtle tints of other colors. These subtle variations classify them as neutral tones. Each themed word represents a different off-white color.

Enjoy the puzzle! Play Strands on the New York Times Games website.