NYT Pips Hints Today: Answers for the January 20 2026 Puzzle

Since its debut in August 2025, Pips has quickly become a standout in the New York Times games catalog. It puts a clever spin on traditional dominoes, challenging players to satisfy color-coded conditions rather than just matching numbers. If you're struggling with today's grid, don't worry—we've got the piecemeal hints you need to keep your streak alive without restarting.

Mastering the NYT Pips Hints and Rules

The core of Pips lies in its spatial constraints. Tiles can be placed vertically or horizontally, but they must meet specific rules like 'Equal,' 'Greater Than,' or 'Not Equal' within tinted zones. Currently, the official game doesn't offer incremental hints—it only offers to reveal the entire solution, which can feel like a defeat. Our breakdown helps you solve it bit by bit.

Step-by-Step Solutions for January 20

• Easy Mode: For the 'Number 7' space, use a 6-4 and 1-1 tile, both placed horizontally. For 'Number 8,' look to 6-4 and 5-1.
• Medium Mode: The purple 'Number 10' area requires a 4-3 vertical tile and a 6-1 horizontal tile. The red 'Equal 2' space is solved with 5-2 and 2-0 horizontally.
• Hard Mode: Tackling the dark blue 'Equal 6' space requires a 2-6, 6-5, and 6-3 combination, all placed vertically.