NYT Crossword hints and answer for August 31, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across38
Down40
ConstructorChristopher Youngs
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
Part of a dance (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSTEP→
5A
Sch. with the Daily Bruin newspaper (4)
Starts with U, ends with AUCLA→
9A
Slightly intoxicated (5)
Starts with T, ends with YTIPSY→
15A
Worms and such on hooks (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBAIT→
16A
Be of the same mind (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAGREE→
17A
Redding with two posthumous Grammys (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOTIS→
18A
"Sesame Street" character who was once sung to sleep by Andrea Bocelli (4)
Starts with E, ends with OELMO→
19A
Ransacks (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLOOTS→
20A
One who regularly drops things (13)
Starts with B, ends with SBUTTERFINGERS→
23A
The : English :: ___ : French (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLES→
24A
Letter after sigma (3)
Starts with T, ends with UTAU→
25A
One dining on Friskies (3)
Starts with C, ends with TCAT→
28A
Role for Selena Gomez on "Only Murders in the Building" (5)
Starts with M, ends with LMABEL→
31A
Umbrella-shaped sea creature (9)
Starts with J, ends with HJELLYFISH→
34A
Director DuVernay (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAVA→
35A
Pathetic (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSAD→
36A
Examine at length (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPERUSE→
37A
Took shots first, then paid for them later (7)
Starts with R, ends with BRANATAB→
40A
Clothing sizes for shorter women (7)
Starts with P, ends with SPETITES→
41A
Ski in zigzags (6)
Starts with S, ends with MSLALOM→
42A
"Far out!" (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRAD→
43A
Tetra- minus one (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITRI→
44A
Newlyweds' getaway (9)
Starts with H, ends with NHONEYMOON→
46A
Owl sounds (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHOOTS→
48A
Actress de Armas (3)
Starts with A, ends with AANA→
49A
401(k) relative (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIRA→
50A
"Need an ark? I Noah guy," e.g. (3)
Starts with P, ends with NPUN→
51A
"Tell everyone!" … or what to do with the starts of 20-, 31- and 44-Across? (13)
Starts with S, ends with DSPREADTHEWORD→
58A
Inuit for "house" (5)
Starts with I, ends with OIGLOO→
60A
Italian hello (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCIAO→
61A
Et ___ (and others: Lat.) (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALIA→
62A
Tennis locale (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCOURT→
63A
Pre-Easter observance (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLENT→
64A
R-rated, maybe (4)
Starts with R, ends with YRACY→
65A
A cube has 12 of them (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEDGES→
66A
Petrol brand (4)
Starts with E, ends with OESSO→
67A
Easter egg decorating supplies (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDYES→
Down
1D
Mess maker (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSLOB→
2D
Attire for the Sugar Plum Fairy (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTUTU→
3D
Off-ramp (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEXIT→
4D
Pulverizing tool (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPESTLE→
5D
Alternatives to Lyfts (5)
Starts with U, ends with SUBERS→
6D
Baby whale (4)
Starts with C, ends with FCALF→
7D
In finite supply (7)
Starts with L, ends with DLIMITED→
8D
Lacking a musical key (6)
Starts with A, ends with LATONAL→
9D
A ___ as old as time (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETALE→
10D
Composer Stravinsky (4)
Starts with I, ends with RIGOR→
11D
Ham on an antipasto platter (10)
Starts with P, ends with OPROSCIUTTO→
12D
Solidify (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSET→
13D
"You called?" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYES→
21D
Sinuous swimmer (3)
Starts with E, ends with LEEL→
22D
Swallowed hard (6)
Starts with G, ends with DGULPED→
27D
Graduate student’s project (6)
Starts with T, ends with STHESIS→
28D
___ P. Johnson (gay rights activist) (6)
Starts with M, ends with AMARSHA→
29D
Island of Arthurian legend (6)
Starts with A, ends with NAVALON→
30D
Fruit-resembling mollusk (10)
Starts with B, ends with GBANANASLUG→
31D
The "one" of a one-two (3)
Starts with J, ends with BJAB→
32D
So far (3)
Starts with Y, ends with TYET→
33D
Part of the week that workers look forward to: Abbr. (3)
Starts with F, ends with IFRI→
35D
Lunch item that might be made with cold cuts, in slang (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESAMMIE→
38D
Ginger ___ (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
39D
Cup-and-ball or yo-yo (3)
Starts with T, ends with YTOY→
40D
Deep-dish vessel (3)
Starts with P, ends with NPAN→
42D
Support staff for a rock band (7)
Starts with R, ends with SROADIES→
45D
Soothsayer (6)
Starts with O, ends with EORACLE→
47D
"To victory!" (6)
Starts with O, ends with DONWARD→
50D
Part of an Instagram post (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPHOTO→
52D
Skin opening (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPORE→
53D
Goes bad (4)
Starts with R, ends with SROTS→
54D
Gets bronzed at the beach (4)
Starts with T, ends with STANS→
55D
Brand with "anti-aging" products (4)
Starts with O, ends with YOLAY→
56D
Bibimbap base (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERICE→
57D
Pages on a desk calendar (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDAYS→
58D
"Rocks" at a bar (3)
Starts with I, ends with EICE→
59D
Lead-in to forbid or forsaken (3)
Starts with G, ends with DGOD→
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 31, 2026?+
78 clues: 38 Across and 40 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Christopher Youngs and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Part of a dance (STEP); Sch. with the Daily Bruin newspaper (UCLA); Slightly intoxicated (TIPSY).
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.
