Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 16, 2026. The five-letter word starts with W, and the hint is that it describes something delicate.
The puzzle comes from Mashable, which has been running its own free version of the game since the New York Times took over the original. The site offers clues, tips, and strategies for players who want to solve the answer themselves, then reveals the solution at the end.
How Wordle Got Here
Wordle started as a gift from Josh Wardle to his partner. The engineer built it, and it spread fast. Thousands of people play every day, and fans made spinoffs like battle royale Squabble, music game Heardle, and multi-word puzzles Dordle and Quordle.
The New York Times bought the game. TikTok creators stream themselves playing. The original website kept an archive of past puzzles, but it was taken down, with the creator saying it was done at the request of the Times. The Times then put its own archive online, but it is only open to NYT Games subscribers.
What Makes a Good Starting Word
Mashable suggests picking a word with at least two different vowels and common consonants like S, T, R, or N. The best starting word, the site says, is the one that speaks to you. Strategy is optional.
Today’s Hint
The hint for today’s answer is one word: Flimsy. That tells players something about the answer’s meaning, though it does not give away the letters directly.
Double Letters
There are no repeated letters in today’s answer. That narrows the search space, since words like BOOKS or DOORS are off the table.
Reveal Time
Mashable runs a reveal process across its page. Players get hints, then guesses, before the solution is shown. The site asks readers to guess before showing the answer, so the reveal feels like a shared moment rather than a spoiler drop.
The Solution
The solution to today’s Wordle is WISPY. It fits the hint, and it fits the no-double-letters rule.
Yesterday’s Answer and Other Puzzles
For players who missed the previous day, Mashable provides the solution to yesterday’s Wordle as well. The site also points to hints and answers for NYT Strands, another puzzle game.
The site’s games hub offers Mahjong, Sudoku, and a free crossword, alongside its Wordle coverage. Players who finish one puzzle can move to another without leaving the page.
What This Means For Players
Wordle is not getting harder, according to Mashable. The difficulty has stayed steady since the game began. Players who want a bigger challenge can turn on Hard Mode.
The game remains free to play, and the hints from Mashable are available for anyone who wants them. The site also offers newsletters and push alerts for more tech and digital culture news.
Schedule of Today’s Coverage
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Hint released | Opening of the article |
| Guesses open | Throughout the day |
| Solution revealed | End of the article |
“Flimsy.”
That is the hint for today. The answer is WISPY.
Not everyone gets the answer on the first try. That is fine. Tomorrow brings a new word, and Mashable will be back with more hints.
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