NYT Crossword Answers Today
By Zhouqin Burnikel
Across
- 5Has no choiceMUST
- 9"The ___ thickens"PLOT
- 13Islamic prayer leaderIMAM
- 14Poker player's buy-inANTE
- 15Italian "Paul"PAOLO
- 16Well-dressed guyDAPPERDAN
- 18Arctic Indigenous groupINUIT
- 19Venomous arachnidSCORPION
- 20Not dormant, as a volcanoACTIVE
- 21A, in GermanEIN
- 24Take, as adviceHEED
- 25It captures ballpark smoochesKISSCAM
- 29Stand for a posterEASEL
- 32Hilarious personRIOT
- 34Doll with neon hairTROLL
- 38Containers for fruit preservesJAMJARS
- 41Birds in V-formationsGEESE
- 43Capital with fjord toursOSLO
- 45Casts a ballotVOTES
- 47Lengthy rantsSCREEDS
- 49Sulky stateSNIT
- 54SnackedNOSHED
- 56Hot pepper named for Cuba's capitalHABANERO
- 61Off Broadway awardsOBIES
- 63Like throwbacksRETRO
- 66OtherwiseELSE
- 67Hotel workerMAID
- 68OverhaulREDO
Down
- 1Covers for potsLIDS
- 4Catherine the Great, e.g.EMPRESS
- 5Sauce for mozzarella sticksMARINARA
- 6EraseUNDO
- 7ReekedSTANK
- 8Half a scoreTEN
- 9"Pink" animal of filmPANTHER
- 101963 Kingsmen hit with a repetitive titleLOUIELOUIE
- 11Martini garnishOLIVE
- 12SchleppedTOTED
- 15Insta postingPIC
- 17Sweeping in scopeEPIC
- 20"Now I understand!"AHA
- 25Key chess pieceKING
- 26"That makes sense"ISEE
- 27On-location inspectionsSITEVISITS
- 28Boozy brunch drinkMIMOSA
- 30Lines on a GPSSTS
- 35Come down to earthLAND
- 36"Sounds like a plan!"LETS
- 38Hot tub nozzleJET
- 39Green Day or Pink FloydROCKBAND
- 42"And that's that!"SOTHERE
- 44Wander aimlesslyMEANDER
- 46Wrap upEND
- 48Singer ChappellROAN
- 49Sound asleep?SNORE
- 502016 prize for Bob DylanNOBEL
- 55That, in SpainESO
- 57___ SpumanteASTI
- 58Brontë's "Jane ___"EYRE
- 59Enjoy a fantasy, sayREAD
- 60___ bucoOSSO
- 62Sweet potatoYAM
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. One of two fruit flavors in Sprite — Answer: LIME. Hint: This citrus flavor gives the soda a bright, tangy kick. 🍋
- 5. Has no choice — Answer: MUST. Hint: Someone in this situation is required to act. 🔒
- 9. "The ___ thickens" — Answer: PLOT. Hint: This famous phrase suggests a story is becoming more complicated. 📖
- 13. Islamic prayer leader — Answer: IMAM. Hint: This person leads worship in a mosque. 🕌
- 14. Poker player's buy-in — Answer: ANTE. Hint: It is the initial stake placed before the cards are dealt. 🃏
- 15. Italian "Paul" — Answer: PAOLO. Hint: This is the Italian form of a familiar biblical first name. 🇮🇹
- 16. Well-dressed guy — Answer: DAPPERDAN. Hint: Picture a sharply dressed fellow with polished style. 🤵
- 18. Arctic Indigenous group — Answer: INUIT. Hint: This Indigenous people has deep roots in the far northern regions. ❄️
- 19. Venomous arachnid — Answer: SCORPION. Hint: This eight-legged creature is known for its stinging tail. 🦂
- 20. Not dormant, as a volcano — Answer: ACTIVE. Hint: A volcano in this state may erupt at any time. 🌋
- 21. A, in German — Answer: EIN. Hint: This German indefinite article can precede a masculine or neuter noun. 🇩🇪
- 22. Autobahn speedometer meas. — Answer: KPH. Hint: This metric unit expresses road speed in distance per hour. 🚗
- 24. Take, as advice — Answer: HEED. Hint: To do this is to pay careful attention to guidance. 👂
- 25. It captures ballpark smooches — Answer: KISSCAM. Hint: This stadium camera turns romantic moments into crowd entertainment. 💋
- 29. Stand for a poster — Answer: EASEL. Hint: Artists and presenters use this support to display a large board. 🖼️
- 31. Egyptian fertility goddess — Answer: ISIS. Hint: This ancient goddess was associated with motherhood, magic, and fertility. 𓂀
- 32. Hilarious person — Answer: RIOT. Hint: Someone described this way is extremely funny. 😂
- 34. Doll with neon hair — Answer: TROLL. Hint: This toy is famous for its colorful, upright hairstyle. 🧸
- 37. Ping-Pong table divider — Answer: NET. Hint: It stretches across the middle of the table during play. 🏓
- 38. Containers for fruit preserves — Answer: JAMJARS. Hint: These glass vessels hold sweet spreads for breakfast. 🍓
- 40. Burj Khalifa's country, for short — Answer: UAE. Hint: Think of the Gulf nation where the world's tallest building stands. 🏙️
- 41. Birds in V-formations — Answer: GEESE. Hint: These honking migrants famously fly in an aerodynamic formation. 🪿
- 43. Capital with fjord tours — Answer: OSLO. Hint: This Scandinavian capital offers easy access to stunning waterways. 🚢
- 44. Facility that produces coins — Answer: MINT. Hint: Coins are made at this specialized government facility. 🪙
- 45. Casts a ballot — Answer: VOTES. Hint: This verb describes participating in an election. 🗳️
- 47. Lengthy rants — Answer: SCREEDS. Hint: These are extended, often angry tirades. 📣
- 49. Sulky state — Answer: SNIT. Hint: A pouty, offended mood can be described this way. 😠
- 51. ___ Geo Wild (cable channel) — Answer: NAT. Hint: The wildlife channel begins with a familiar shortening of nature. 🐾
- 53. Popular chain for RVers — Answer: KOA. Hint: RVers often stop at this well-known campground network. 🚐
- 54. Snacked — Answer: NOSHED. Hint: Had a casual bite to eat. 🍪
- 56. Hot pepper named for Cuba's capital — Answer: HABANERO. Hint: This fiery pepper takes its name from Cuba's capital. 🌶️
- 61. Off Broadway awards — Answer: OBIES. Hint: These theater prizes honor achievement beyond Broadway. 🎭
- 62. "Totally agree!" ... or what the circled letters are, in different languages — Answer: YESANDYES. Hint: The circled letters express enthusiastic agreement twice in translated form. 👍
- 63. Like throwbacks — Answer: RETRO. Hint: A vintage-inspired style can be described this way. 📻
- 64. Abbr. before a recipient's name on an envelope — Answer: ATTN. Hint: This envelope abbreviation directs mail to a specific recipient. ✉️
- 65. The Roaring Twenties and the Swinging Sixties — Answer: ERAS. Hint: Both are memorable periods in cultural history. 🕰️
- 66. Otherwise — Answer: ELSE. Hint: Think of a word meaning “in another way” or “if not.” 💡
- 67. Hotel worker — Answer: MAID. Hint: A room attendant helps keep a hotel stay tidy. 🧹
- 68. Overhaul — Answer: REDO. Hint: To overhaul something is to remake it substantially. 🔧
Down
- 1. Covers for pots — Answer: LIDS. Hint: These keep cookware covered during meal preparation. 🍲
- 2. Apple with a big screen — Answer: IMAC. Hint: Think of Apple's all-in-one desktop computer. 🖥️
- 3. ___ tofu (Sichuan dish) — Answer: MAPO. Hint: This spicy Sichuan dish often combines tofu with minced meat and chili bean paste. 🌶️
- 4. Catherine the Great, e.g. — Answer: EMPRESS. Hint: She ruled Russia during its imperial era. 👑
- 5. Sauce for mozzarella sticks — Answer: MARINARA. Hint: Dip these fried cheese sticks in this classic tomato sauce. 🍅
- 6. Erase — Answer: UNDO. Hint: Use this command to reverse your latest action. ↩️
- 7. Reeked — Answer: STANK. Hint: This past-tense verb describes something that smelled awful. 🤢
- 8. Half a score — Answer: TEN. Hint: This number equals half of twenty. 🔟
- 9. "Pink" animal of film — Answer: PANTHER. Hint: This sleek feline starred in a famous comedy film series. 🐾
- 10. 1963 Kingsmen hit with a repetitive title — Answer: LOUIELOUIE. Hint: This catchy rock song is famous for its repeated title and famously garbled lyrics. 🎸
- 11. Martini garnish — Answer: OLIVE. Hint: A briny green or black fruit is a classic cocktail garnish. 🍸
- 12. Schlepped — Answer: TOTED. Hint: This means carried something, often with effort. 👜
- 15. Insta posting — Answer: PIC. Hint: On social media, this is a quick informal photo post. 📸
- 17. Sweeping in scope — Answer: EPIC. Hint: Something on this scale is grand, sweeping, and larger than life. 🌟
- 20. "Now I understand!" — Answer: AHA. Hint: This brief exclamation signals a sudden realization. 💡
- 23. Fragrant bits tossed at newlyweds — Answer: PETALS. Hint: These delicate flower pieces may be scattered during a wedding celebration. 🌸
- 25. Key chess piece — Answer: KING. Hint: In chess, protecting this royal piece is the ultimate priority. ♟️
- 26. "That makes sense" — Answer: ISEE. Hint: This phrase shows that an explanation has clicked. 💡
- 27. On-location inspections — Answer: SITEVISITS. Hint: Inspectors make these trips to examine places in person. 🔎
- 28. Boozy brunch drink — Answer: MIMOSA. Hint: This bubbly citrus cocktail is a brunch favorite. 🥂
- 30. Lines on a GPS — Answer: STS. Hint: On navigation displays, these can mark streets in abbreviated form. 🗺️
- 33. Breakfast beverages, for short — Answer: OJS. Hint: These are familiar citrus drinks often served with breakfast. 🍊
- 35. Come down to earth — Answer: LAND. Hint: Touch down after being airborne. 🛬
- 36. "Sounds like a plan!" — Answer: LETS. Hint: An enthusiastic agreement to a suggestion. 👍
- 38. Hot tub nozzle — Answer: JET. Hint: It shoots a stream of water for a bubbly massage. 💦
- 39. Green Day or Pink Floyd — Answer: ROCKBAND. Hint: Both are examples of groups built around guitars and drums. 🎸
- 42. "And that's that!" — Answer: SOTHERE. Hint: A firm way to signal the discussion is over. 🛑
- 44. Wander aimlessly — Answer: MEANDER. Hint: Roam without a destination or clear purpose. 🚶
- 46. Wrap up — Answer: END. Hint: Bring something to a close. 🎁
- 48. Singer Chappell — Answer: ROAN. Hint: This pop singer had a breakout hit with “Good Luck, Babe!” 🎤
- 49. Sound asleep? — Answer: SNORE. Hint: A sleeping person’s noisy nighttime soundtrack. 😴
- 50. 2016 prize for Bob Dylan — Answer: NOBEL. Hint: The Swedish Academy honored him in literature that year. 🏅
- 52. Greek letter that symbolizes an angle — Answer: THETA. Hint: In geometry, this Greek symbol often labels an unknown angle. 📐
- 55. That, in Spain — Answer: ESO. Hint: Use this Spanish demonstrative for “that.” 🇪🇸
- 57. ___ Spumante — Answer: ASTI. Hint: A sparkling Italian wine shares its name with a Piedmontese city. 🥂
- 58. Brontë's "Jane ___" — Answer: EYRE. Hint: Complete the title of Brontë’s famous heroine’s story. 📖
- 59. Enjoy a fantasy, say — Answer: READ. Hint: Lose yourself in an imagined world through a book. 📚
- 60. ___ buco — Answer: OSSO. Hint: Complete this Italian dish name featuring braised veal shank. 🍽️
- 62. Sweet potato — Answer: YAM. Hint: This starchy root is a holiday-table favorite. 🍠
Next NYT Crossword update in
A new puzzle unlocks at 10 p.m. Eastern on weekdays and 6 p.m. Eastern on weekends (Tue, Aug 18, 2:10 AM UTC).
Recent NYT Crossword Answers
The last 7 days of solutions
Looking for today's NYT Crossword answers? The complete solution to the daily New York Times puzzle — dated August 17, 2026 — is at the top of this page, updated the moment the new grid is released. The Times crossword is the most famous puzzle in the world and, later in the week, one of the hardest, so getting wedged in a corner is part of the experience. Whether you want to confirm a finished grid, unlock a single square, or see the whole solution, every across and down answer is listed below.
Full NYT Crossword answer list for today
Every clue from today's grid next to its solution — the same answers as the board above, in one plain list you can scan without tapping.
Across
Down
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Covers for pots | LIDS |
| 2 | Apple with a big screen | IMAC |
| 3 | ___ tofu (Sichuan dish) | MAPO |
| 4 | Catherine the Great, e.g. | EMPRESS |
| 5 | Sauce for mozzarella sticks | MARINARA |
| 6 | Erase | UNDO |
| 7 | Reeked | STANK |
| 8 | Half a score | TEN |
| 9 | "Pink" animal of film | PANTHER |
| 10 | 1963 Kingsmen hit with a repetitive title | LOUIELOUIE |
| 11 | Martini garnish | OLIVE |
| 12 | Schlepped | TOTED |
| 15 | Insta posting | PIC |
| 17 | Sweeping in scope | EPIC |
| 20 | "Now I understand!" | AHA |
| 23 | Fragrant bits tossed at newlyweds | PETALS |
| 25 | Key chess piece | KING |
| 26 | "That makes sense" | ISEE |
| 27 | On-location inspections | SITEVISITS |
| 28 | Boozy brunch drink | MIMOSA |
| 30 | Lines on a GPS | STS |
| 33 | Breakfast beverages, for short | OJS |
| 35 | Come down to earth | LAND |
| 36 | "Sounds like a plan!" | LETS |
| 38 | Hot tub nozzle | JET |
| 39 | Green Day or Pink Floyd | ROCKBAND |
| 42 | "And that's that!" | SOTHERE |
| 44 | Wander aimlessly | MEANDER |
| 46 | Wrap up | END |
| 48 | Singer Chappell | ROAN |
| 49 | Sound asleep? | SNORE |
| 50 | 2016 prize for Bob Dylan | NOBEL |
| 52 | Greek letter that symbolizes an angle | THETA |
| 55 | That, in Spain | ESO |
| 57 | ___ Spumante | ASTI |
| 58 | Brontë's "Jane ___" | EYRE |
| 59 | Enjoy a fantasy, say | READ |
| 60 | ___ buco | OSSO |
| 62 | Sweet potato | YAM |
Today's NYT Crossword answers
Today's full solution appears above, organised into Across and Down exactly as the puzzle numbers them. If you only need one answer, each is listed separately so you can reveal the clue that's blocking you and keep solving the rest. The grid is confirmed and refreshed daily as soon as the Times publishes it, and — because the puzzle's difficulty climbs through the week — we keep the layout identical every day so you always know where to look.
About the New York Times Crossword
The NYT Crossword has run since 1942 and has been edited by Will Shortz since 1993, making it the benchmark against which every other American crossword is measured. The weekday puzzle is a 15×15 grid; Sundays expand to a 21×21 grid with a title and theme. It's known for clever, layered clues — misdirection, puns, and themed twists — and for its “crosswordese,” the small stock of vowel-heavy words (ETUI, OREO, ERA, ALOE) that recur because they fit tight grids. Solving it requires a Games subscription, which is why so many solvers search for the answers when a clue defeats them.
The Monday-to-Saturday difficulty curve
The single most important thing to know about the Times crossword is that it gets harder as the week goes on — the grid size stays the same, but the cluing grows trickier:
| Day | Difficulty | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Easiest | Straightforward, direct clues |
| Tuesday | Easy | A little more wordplay |
| Wednesday | Medium | Themes get more inventive |
| Thursday | Tricky | Rebus puzzles and gimmicks appear |
| Friday | Hard | Themeless, wide-open grids |
| Saturday | Hardest | The toughest cluing of the week |
| Sunday | Medium–hard | Large 21×21 themed puzzle |
So if a Thursday clue seems to make no sense, that's by design — Thursdays often hide a trick, like multiple letters crammed into one square (a rebus). Knowing the day tells you how devious the clues are likely to be.
How to break a stubborn NYT clue
- Solve the crossings first. In a 15×15 grid, every hard answer is crossed by others; three or four crossing letters usually reveal it.
- Question the clue's angle. A question mark at the end of a clue signals a pun or play on words — read it less literally.
- Mind the tense and number. Plurals end in S, past-tense answers often end in ED — free letters once you spot them.
- Know the day. A baffling clue on a Monday is probably you overthinking; the same on a Saturday is probably genuine misdirection.
- Use the solver for one answer. Our crossword solver lets you enter the clue and your known letters to reveal a single answer without spoiling the rest of the grid.
Browse past NYT Crossword answers
Every previous New York Times puzzle is archived on this page by date, with its complete across and down solutions. It's the fastest way to check yesterday's grid, revisit a Sunday you didn't finish, or look up a clue that's been nagging you. The archive updates automatically each day — today's answers roll into it as the next puzzle publishes — so it stays complete without spoiling the current day. Use the date picker above to jump to any past puzzle.
Browse more puzzles on the crossword solver, or use it to crack any clue from any publication.
Frequently asked questions
What are today's NYT Crossword answers?
The full Across and Down solution for today's puzzle (August 17, 2026) is listed at the top of this page, updated as soon as the Times releases it.
What time does the NYT Crossword come out?
The daily puzzle is released at 10 p.m. Eastern the night before on weekdays (7 p.m. Pacific) and 6 p.m. Eastern before weekends. We post the answers as soon as it goes live.
Why is the NYT Crossword harder later in the week?
By design: Monday is the easiest and Saturday the hardest, with cluing growing trickier each day. The Sunday puzzle is larger (21×21) and themed, at a medium-hard level.
How do I reveal just one answer?
Each answer is listed separately here, or use the crossword solver to reveal a single clue's answer from your known letters — without seeing the rest of the grid.
Where can I find past NYT Crossword answers?
Every previous puzzle is in the archive on this page, listed by date with full solutions, updated automatically each day.