NYT Crossword hints and answer for August 15, 2026

Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.

Clues66
Across33
Down33
ConstructorBlake Slonecker

Today’s NYT Crossword clues, hints & answers

Every clue from this puzzle with a hint and the answer behind separate buttons, so you only see what you need. Click a clue for its own page.

Across

1A
Began (6)
Starts with D, ends with DDAWNED→
7A
Show faces? (8)
Starts with T, ends with STVACTORS→
15A
Bring back into the fold, so to speak (6)
Starts with R, ends with EREHIRE→
16A
Worth looking back on (8)
Starts with H, ends with CHISTORIC→
17A
One from "Japan's kitchen" (6)
Starts with O, ends with NOSAKAN→
18A
Appeal (8)
Starts with E, ends with YENTREATY→
19A
Bit of ceramic ware (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPOT→
20A
Cast off (7)
Starts with S, ends with LSETSAIL→
22A
7/ (3)
Starts with J, ends with LJUL→
23A
25A
Rose Bowl Stadium athlete (5)
Starts with B, ends with NBRUIN→
26A
Big ring (4)
Starts with P, ends with LPEAL→
27A
Patient privacy law, in brief (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHIPAA→
30A
Say "Hey," say (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHOLLA→
31A
"Speak up" (12)
Starts with I, ends with UICANTHEARYOU→
38A
Hoedown get-down? (12)
Starts with T, ends with PTEXASTWOSTEP→
39A
Long-___ squid (5)
Starts with A, ends with DARMED→
42A
"Wayne's World" exclamation (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNOT→
43A
Christina of "Buffalo ’66" (5)
Starts with R, ends with IRICCI→
44A
Ring location (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELOBE→
45A
Oil wells? (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPORES→
47A
Nickname for Eleanor (4)
Starts with N, ends with LNELL→
48A
Eye-catching stage prop (3)
Starts with B, ends with ABOA→
49A
"Got it?" (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECAPISCE→
51A
Thru (3)
Starts with T, ends with LTIL→
52A
Underlining, e.g. (8)
Starts with E, ends with SEMPHASIS→
54A
56A
Some back-and-forth (8)
Starts with R, ends with EREPARTEE→
57A
Big name in fashion (6)
Starts with L, ends with NLAUREN→
58A
Go in the wrong way? (8)
Starts with T, ends with STRESPASS→
59A
"I beg you!" (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPLEASE→

Down

1D
Cut out the middleman, for delivery (8)
Starts with D, ends with PDROPSHIP→
2D
Fabulous collection (8)
Starts with A, ends with AAESOPICA→
3D
"You're the best!" (8)
Starts with W, ends with LWHATAPAL→
4D
No-good ending? (3)
Starts with N, ends with KNIK→
5D
Diamond figs. (4)
Starts with E, ends with SERAS→
6D
Leftmost star of the Summer Triangle (5)
Starts with D, ends with BDENEB→
8D
Dressing group (12)
Starts with V, ends with SVINAIGRETTES→
9D
Gamgee player in "Lord of the Rings" (5)
Starts with A, ends with NASTIN→
10D
___-C (4)
Starts with C, ends with LCTRL→
12D
Toothache care option (6)
Starts with O, ends with LORAJEL→
13D
Communion, e.g. (6)
Starts with R, ends with LRITUAL→
14D
Charybdis' man-eating opposite, in myth (6)
Starts with S, ends with ASCYLLA→
21D
Upper regions of forests (12)
Starts with T, ends with STREECANOPIES→
24D
Sea cow (7)
Starts with M, ends with EMANATEE→
26D
French Baroque artist Nicolas (7)
Starts with P, ends with NPOUSSIN→
28D
Challenged on X, say (5)
Starts with A, ends with DATTED→
30D
Scout's follower? (5)
Starts with H, ends with RHONOR→
32D
Bad spell (3)
Starts with H, ends with XHEX→
33D
Partner of pitch and roll (3)
Starts with Y, ends with WYAW→
35D
"You get the point" (8)
Starts with E, ends with AETCETERA→
36D
Kicks back, in a way (8)
Starts with R, ends with SRECLINES→
39D
Prince of Monaco beginning in 2005 (6)
Starts with A, ends with TALBERT→
40D
Certain tenant (6)
Starts with R, ends with RROOMER→
41D
French soccer superstar Kylian (6)
Starts with M, ends with EMBAPPE→
45D
Some bow ties (5)
Starts with P, ends with APASTA→
46D
Where roots take hold (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSCALP→
49D
Complain (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCARP→
50D
Citation shortener (4)
Starts with E, ends with LETAL→
53D
Tricks (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHAS→
55D
Orange or lime (3)
Starts with H, ends with EHUE→

How to solve the NYT Crossword

Fill the grid so that every Across and Down answer matches its clue. Numbered squares mark where answers begin. Theme answers, usually the longest entries, share a twist that the puzzle's title or a revealer clue explains. Thursday puzzles are known for rebus squares and other tricks that bend the normal rules.

Want the full method? Read our NYT Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the NYT Crossword on the hub.

NYT Crossword tips for tomorrow

  • Start with Monday-level clues. Even on a Saturday, a handful of clues are straightforward. Find them and build outward from the crossings.
  • Hunt for the revealer. A clue that references other entries or ends in "?" often explains the theme. Solving it first unlocks the long answers.
  • Respect the day of the week. Thursday means tricks like rebus squares; Friday and Saturday mean long, clever fill with misleading clues.

Done for today? Try The Mini, The Midi, LA Times Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.

Previous NYT Crossword puzzles

NYT Crossword FAQ

How many clues are in the NYT Crossword for August 15, 2026?+

66 clues: 33 Across and 33 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Blake Slonecker and edited by Will Shortz.

What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+

For example: Began (DAWNED); Show faces? (TVACTORS); Bring back into the fold, so to speak (REHIRE).

What time does the NYT Crossword come out?+

The next day's puzzle is released at 10:00 pm Eastern Time Monday to Friday and at 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Where can I find past NYT Crossword answers?+

Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all Across and Down answers, plus a page for each clue. Click any date above.

Today’s other puzzle answers

NYT Crossword guides