Privacy Policy
Last updated: August 19, 2026
This privacy policy describes how strandssolver.org ("this site") handles information. The short version: the solver runs entirely in your browser — the letter grid you paste never leaves your device. The only data that may leave your browser is collected by our advertising and analytics partners, described below.
1. What we collect directly
Nothing. This site does not have user accounts, does not operate a backend server that stores your input, and does not sell data. There is no registration and no login.
Your pasted grid and the words you exclude are stored only in your own browser's localStorage so the "exclude words I've already found" feature works between visits. You can clear this at any time using your browser's site-data controls, or by using the "Clear all" button in the Excluded panel.
2. Advertising
This site does not currently display advertisements. If advertising (such as Google AdSense) is added in the future, this section will be updated and the third-party vendors described below may use cookies or similar technologies to serve ads based on your visit to this site and/or other sites on the Internet.
When advertising is enabled, you may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. Alternatively, you can opt out of some third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising at aboutads.info or youronlinechoices.com (EU/UK users).
Third-party vendors and ad networks, including Google, may use cookies, web beacons, or similar technologies to collect information when your browser loads a page on this site. That information (such as your IP address, browser type, and referring URL) may be sent directly to those vendors and is governed by their respective privacy policies.
For more information about how Google handles data from its advertising products, see How Google uses information from sites that use our services.
3. Analytics
This site may use a privacy-respecting, cookie-free analytics provider (for example, a self-hosted or aggregated analytics service) to understand general traffic patterns — page views, referrers, country, and device type. No individual user is identified, and no advertising identifiers are shared with this analytics provider. If Google Analytics is enabled in the future, this policy will be updated and IP anonymization will be used.
4. Local storage
This site uses your browser's local storage for two convenience features:
- Remembering the list of words you excluded on a particular grid.
- Remembering whether "live solve as I type" is on or off.
This data stays on your device and is never transmitted to us.
5. Third-party links
This site may contain links to external websites (for example, to the official NYT Games site). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of every site you visit.
6. Children
This site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
7. Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date above will reflect the most recent change. Material changes will also be noted on the homepage.
8. Contact
If you have questions about this privacy policy, please use the contact page.