TrioNine

The rules

How to play TrioNine

TrioNine is a free word category puzzle: arrange nine words into three connected groups of three. You have four mistakes to find every group.

Your first round

  1. Select exactly three word tiles that share a specific connection.
  2. Choose Submit group. A correct set becomes a colored row with its category and explanation.
  3. Find the remaining groups. A wrong set uses one mistake; an identical repeated guess does not.

A worked example

APPLE · PEAR · PLUM · SOFA · DESK · STOOL · APRIL · JUNE · AUGUST

Fruit: APPLE, PEAR, PLUM.
Furniture: SOFA, DESK, STOOL.
Months: APRIL, JUNE, AUGUST.

The groups must use every word once. A broad observation such as “things with letters” is not the intended connection; look for specific categories.

What does One away mean?

Two of the three words you submitted belong to the same unsolved group. The game does not tell you which two. Keep your strongest pair and consider another third word.

Hints and results

A category hint names one unsolved category. Using a hint marks the round assisted, including in your shared result. After four mistakes, all groups are revealed with their explanations. Shared squares never include answer words.

Daily or practice?

The daily puzzle is the same for everyone on a given UTC date. Daily results and a consecutive-win streak stay on your browser. Practice can be played any time and does not increase your daily streak. The 38-puzzle daily collection repeats after a complete cycle.

Try a practice round

Quick questions

What is a nine-word category puzzle?

It is a word game with nine words that form three groups of three. Each group shares a specific connection: a meaning, a word pattern or a phrase.

How many mistakes can I make?

You have four mistakes per puzzle. A correct group uses no mistake. Repeating an identical wrong guess also uses no additional mistake.

Is TrioNine free?

Yes. Daily puzzles, explanations and unlimited practice are free, with no account required.

When does the daily puzzle change?

The shared daily puzzle changes at midnight UTC. TrioNine launched on October 1, 2026. The current collection contains 38 original puzzles; daily puzzles repeat after one complete cycle.

Does this contain NYT Connections answers?

No. TrioNine has its own original word groups and explanations. It is an independent practice game, not an official NYT product or an answer service.