NYT Crossword Answers Today
By John Kugelman and Lance Enfinger
Across
- 10Act all teenagerly, sayMOPE
- 17Enhancing "blemish" (3x)BEAUTYMARK
- 19Rip apartREND
- 22CautiousWARY
- 23"My guess is ..."IDSAY
- 25Teach, playfully (3x)EDUMACATE
- 29Pinocchio's tellNOSE
- 33PC keyALT
- 34Wait for it!TIP
- 35Sweet popcorn coating (4x)SALTEDCARAMEL
- 40Call, as a poker betSEE
- 45Tech review siteCNET
- 46Nut in Sausalito cookies (3x)MACADAMIA
- 48Bundles in a stationery shopREAMS
- 52Pointed remarksJABS
- 55Church fixturePEW
- 61April's ___ DayARBOR
- 62Bug on a pugFLEA
- 64Acrimonious, as a breakupMESSY
- 65Units of verseFEET
Down
- 1Torah scholarRABBI
- 2Bridge Out ___ (sign)AHEAD
- 6Taking charge?ATMFEE
- 8Scuff up, sayMAR
- 9Set, as a priceASK
- 11Was a hamOVERACTED
- 12Scrunchied hairstylePONYTAIL
- 18AuditionTRYOUT
- 24Picky, picky, pickyANAL
- 27HousemotherMATRON
- 30Day break?SIESTA
- 32Got it all off his chest?MANSCAPED
- 36ConsiderDEEM
- 37DisinclinedAVERSE
- 39"Well, let me think"HMM
- 43Herculean tasksLABORS
- 45Sometimes-uncredited appearancesCAMEOS
- 49Gift from a teacher's petAPPLE
- 50Free-for-allMELEE
- 51Result of a hot pursuit?SWEAT
- 54Grand Ole ___OPRY
- 56One leg press, sayREP
- 57Uncle ___SAM
- 58Minecraft resourceORE
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. Modern lead-in to quit or bait — Answer: RAGE. Hint: A fiery prefix can turn both quitting and baiting into something furious 🔥
- 5. Heat source for many hydrothermal vents — Answer: MAGMA. Hint: Deep underground heat gives these ocean-floor vents their power 🌋
- 10. Act all teenagerly, say — Answer: MOPE. Hint: A stereotypical teen might spend the day sulking and doing this 😒
- 14. [I have something to say ...] — Answer: AHEM. Hint: This little throat-clearing sound politely announces an interruption 🤭
- 15. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders — Answer: ATLAS. Hint: Greek mythology’s mighty titan is famously shown carrying the heavens 🌍
- 16. River by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre — Answer: AVON. Hint: This English river flows through Stratford, home of Shakespeare’s theatre 🌊
- 17. Enhancing "blemish" (3x) — Answer: BEAUTYMARK. Hint: This decorative facial spot is a classic feature in old-fashioned glamour ✨
- 19. Rip apart — Answer: REND. Hint: To tear something forcefully is to do this. 💥
- 20. Something to belly up to — Answer: BAR. Hint: It’s where you belly up when ordering a drink 🍻
- 21. Tennis's "King of Clay," familiarly — Answer: RAFA. Hint: The clay-court tennis legend from Spain is often known by this friendly nickname 🎾
- 22. Cautious — Answer: WARY. Hint: Stay alert and guarded when something feels suspicious 👀
- 23. "My guess is ..." — Answer: IDSAY. Hint: Use this conversational phrase before offering an opinion or estimate 💬
- 25. Teach, playfully (3x) — Answer: EDUMACATE. Hint: This joking verb means to teach, with extra silliness built in 😄
- 29. Pinocchio's tell — Answer: NOSE. Hint: The wooden boy’s growing feature gives away his dishonesty 🤥
- 31. South American capital where Simón Bolívar was born — Answer: CARACAS. Hint: This Venezuelan capital was the birthplace of the independence leader Bolívar 🗺️
- 32. ___ Wowie (cocktail with a rhyming name) — Answer: MAUI. Hint: Complete the cocktail name that rhymes with the island famous for beaches and volcanoes 🍹
- 33. PC key — Answer: ALT. Hint: A handy keyboard shortcut partner that’s often used with others for special commands ⌨️
- 34. Wait for it! — Answer: TIP. Hint: The phrase signals that a reveal or punchline is just coming 🎭
- 35. Sweet popcorn coating (4x) — Answer: SALTEDCARAMEL. Hint: This sweet-and-savory topping balances sugar with a sprinkle of salt 🍿
- 39. Sci-fi pilot ___ Solo — Answer: HAN. Hint: The swaggering smuggler who pilots the Millennium Falcon has this first name 🚀
- 40. Call, as a poker bet — Answer: SEE. Hint: In poker, matching the current wager is to do this 🃏
- 41. Roman author of "Metamorphoses" — Answer: OVID. Hint: This Roman poet turned countless myths into a sweeping tale of transformations 📜
- 42. Fred Flintstone's boss at the rock quarry — Answer: MRSLATE. Hint: Fred reports to the stern manager whose surname sounds like a type of rock. 🪨
- 45. Tech review site — Answer: CNET. Hint: This site is your go-to for the latest gadgets and tech news! 📱
- 46. Nut in Sausalito cookies (3x) — Answer: MACADAMIA. Hint: This creamy tropical nut is a favorite ingredient in gourmet cookies. 🍪
- 48. Bundles in a stationery shop — Answer: REAMS. Hint: Paper is commonly sold in these standard bundles. 📄
- 52. Pointed remarks — Answer: JABS. Hint: These sharp comments can also describe quick pokes. 👉
- 53. "Famous" cookie entrepreneur — Answer: AMOS. Hint: His surname appears on a famous brand of bite-size chocolate-chip treats. 🍪
- 55. Church fixture — Answer: PEW. Hint: You might sit on this wooden seat during a service. ⛪
- 56. Black mark on a credit report, in brief — Answer: REPO. Hint: This abbreviation refers to property reclaimed after missed payments. 💳
- 57. "Unbelievable!" ... or what 17-, 25-, 35- and 46-Across are made from, letter-wise? — Answer: SOMEPEOPLE. Hint: The exclamation doubles as a phrase referring to certain folks. 🤯
- 60. Never Have I ___ (party game) — Answer: EVER. Hint: Complete the game's title with a word meaning at any time. 🎉
- 61. April's ___ Day — Answer: ARBOR. Hint: This spring observance celebrates trees and forests. 🌳
- 62. Bug on a pug — Answer: FLEA. Hint: This tiny parasite may hitch a ride on a dog. 🐶
- 63. Alien incubators in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" — Answer: PODS. Hint: In the film, eerie plantlike containers grow human duplicates. 👽
- 64. Acrimonious, as a breakup — Answer: MESSY. Hint: A bitter split can be described as emotionally chaotic. 💔
- 65. Units of verse — Answer: FEET. Hint: Poetic rhythm is measured in these metrical units. 📜
Down
- 1. Torah scholar — Answer: RABBI. Hint: This Jewish teacher and spiritual leader studies and interprets scripture. ✡️
- 2. Bridge Out ___ (sign) — Answer: AHEAD. Hint: The warning tells drivers the obstruction is coming up. 🚧
- 3. They have teeth but don't bite — Answer: GEARS. Hint: These interlocking machine parts have teeth for transferring motion. ⚙️
- 4. Ground-dwelling bird in a eucalyptus forest — Answer: EMU. Hint: This large flightless Australian bird roams among gum trees. 🐦
- 5. Chichén Itzá builders — Answer: MAYA. Hint: This ancient Mesoamerican civilization built the famous pyramid complex. 🏛️
- 6. Taking charge? — Answer: ATMFEE. Hint: A surcharge from a cash machine is quite literally a way of taking charge. 🏧
- 7. Happy-sounding advocacy grp. — Answer: GLAAD. Hint: This LGBTQ+ rights organization has a name that sounds upbeat. 😊
- 8. Scuff up, say — Answer: MAR. Hint: Think of what a rough surface might do to a finish. 🪵
- 9. Set, as a price — Answer: ASK. Hint: A seller may do this before putting an item on the market. 🏷️
- 10. Instrument associated with beans and salsa? — Answer: MARACA. Hint: Picture a shaker suited to a lively Latin dance. 🪇
- 11. Was a ham — Answer: OVERACTED. Hint: This performer went far beyond subtle. 🎭
- 12. Scrunchied hairstyle — Answer: PONYTAIL. Hint: Hair gathered behind the head with a fabric tie fits here. 🎀
- 13. "The ___" (final track listed on the original "Abbey Road") — Answer: END. Hint: It’s the brief closing word after “Carry That Weight.” 🎵
- 18. Audition — Answer: TRYOUT. Hint: It’s a test performance for a role or team spot. 🎬
- 22. Word that can precede cry or baby — Answer: WAR. Hint: It pairs with both a distressed wail and an infant. 👶
- 24. Picky, picky, picky — Answer: ANAL. Hint: An overly fussy person may be described this way. 🤨
- 26. Sch. attended by Steve Martin, James Dean and Jack Black (none of whom stayed to graduate) — Answer: UCLA. Hint: Think of the prominent public university in Westwood. 🎓
- 27. Housemother — Answer: MATRON. Hint: An older woman overseeing residents in a dorm or institution fits this title. 🏠
- 28. What cards with circles, stars, pluses, squares and wavy lines test for, in brief — Answer: ESP. Hint: These cards are used in experiments about perception beyond the ordinary senses. 🔮
- 30. Day break? — Answer: SIESTA. Hint: It’s a midday pause, making the clue’s “break” a restful one. 😴
- 32. Got it all off his chest? — Answer: MANSCAPED. Hint: A humorous reading suggests he removed his chest hair. ✂️
- 33. Disc golf "hole"-in-one — Answer: ACE. Hint: In this sport, a perfect first throw earns the same golf-inspired honor. 🥏
- 35. Capital city known as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans" — Answer: SARAJEVO. Hint: Look to Bosnia and Herzegovina for this historic capital. 🏛️
- 36. Consider — Answer: DEEM. Hint: To regard something as worthy of a particular judgment is to do this. 🤔
- 37. Disinclined — Answer: AVERSE. Hint: If you are strongly opposed, you are this. 🙅
- 38. Small bug with a strong-sounding name — Answer: MITE. Hint: This tiny pest sounds like it could pack a punch. 🐜
- 39. "Well, let me think" — Answer: HMM. Hint: Use this thoughtful little utterance while searching for an idea. 🤔
- 43. Herculean tasks — Answer: LABORS. Hint: The legendary hero was famous for completing these monumental chores 🏛️
- 44. Almost a quarter of the Super Bowl's run time — Answer: ADS. Hint: Commercial breaks take up a surprisingly large slice of the broadcast 📺
- 45. Sometimes-uncredited appearances — Answer: CAMEOS. Hint: Familiar faces may pop in briefly without receiving full credit 👀
- 47. da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, for example — Answer: IAMBS. Hint: These poetic feet pair an unstressed beat with a stressed one 🎵
- 49. Gift from a teacher's pet — Answer: APPLE. Hint: A teacher's favorite pupil might offer this classic red gift 🍎
- 50. Free-for-all — Answer: MELEE. Hint: Picture a chaotic close-quarters free-for-all ⚔️
- 51. Result of a hot pursuit? — Answer: SWEAT. Hint: A heated chase can leave you producing plenty of this 💦
- 54. Grand Ole ___ — Answer: OPRY. Hint: This famous Nashville venue is a country-music institution 🎶
- 56. One leg press, say — Answer: REP. Hint: A single repetition of an exercise counts as one of these 💪
- 57. Uncle ___ — Answer: SAM. Hint: This character is often seen as a personification of the U.S. government. 🇺🇸
- 58. Minecraft resource — Answer: ORE. Hint: Look underground in the block-building game for this mined material ⛏️
- 59. Command to a jumpy dog — Answer: OFF. Hint: Use this command when a bouncy pup will not settle down 🐶
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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 26, 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.
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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.
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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.
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Frequently asked questions
What are today's NYT Crossword answers?
The full Across and Down solution for today's puzzle (August 26, 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.