NYT Crossword hints and answer for February 12, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across39
Down37
ConstructorKareem Ayas
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
*Succeed (5)
Starts with D, ends with LDWELL→
6A
Home of War in the Pacific National Historical Park (4)
Starts with G, ends with MGUAM→
10A
Sign on some restroom doors (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMEN→
13A
Angular unit of measurement (6)
Starts with R, ends with NRADIAN→
15A
Sapa ___ ("the only emperor" in Quechua) (4)
Starts with I, ends with AINCA→
16A
Kitchen gadget brand (3)
Starts with O, ends with OOXO→
17A
Must pay (6)
Starts with O, ends with OOWESTO→
18A
*Public messages of appreciation (8)
Starts with S, ends with SSHUTOUTS→
20A
Heavy metal band whose name is a big cat in Spanish (7)
Starts with P, ends with APANTERA→
22A
Alternatively … !!! (6)
Starts with O, ends with EORELSE→
23A
Sign out? (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEXIT→
24A
Firehouse supply (7)
Starts with L, ends with SLADDERS→
26A
Take out, in a way (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESEE→
28A
"An idea …" (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSAY→
30A
Mount known to produce rare volcanic "smoke rings" (4)
Starts with E, ends with AETNA→
31A
Off-road ride, for short (3)
Starts with A, ends with VATV→
32A
Horned mountain climber (4)
Starts with I, ends with XIBEX→
36A
Dennis's sister on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDEE→
37A
*New England-style chowder, for one (7)
Starts with C, ends with PCLAMSUP→
39A
___-weekly (mag type) (3)
Starts with A, ends with TALT→
40A
Small surgical instrument (6)
Starts with L, ends with TLANCET→
42A
Wraps up (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENDS→
44A
Ingrid Bergman's "Casablanca" role (4)
Starts with I, ends with AILSA→
45A
Stuff with strands (3)
Starts with D, ends with ADNA→
46A
College subj. that can be evolutionary or behavioral (3)
Starts with P, ends with YPSY→
47A
Lightweight fabric for a handkerchief (7)
Starts with B, ends with EBATISTE→
50A
Tomato type (4)
Starts with R, ends with AROMA→
53A
Digs for dogs (6)
Starts with K, ends with LKENNEL→
54A
*Long-legged wader (7)
Starts with F, ends with GFLAMING→
58A
Provide comfort, in a way … or a hint to the answers to the four starred Across clues (8)
Starts with G, ends with GGIVEAHUG→
60A
Northeastern prep school or its town (6)
Starts with E, ends with REXETER→
61A
"What's the ___?!" (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUSE→
62A
Surrender (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECEDE→
63A
Ceramics component (6)
Starts with S, ends with ASILICA→
64A
Web portal with a butterfly logo (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMSN→
65A
Schooner's stabilizer (4)
Starts with K, ends with LKEEL→
66A
Some spa treatments (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMASKS→
Down
1D
What a phone call or new album might do (4)
Starts with D, ends with PDROP→
2D
7-Eleven competitor on the East Coast (4)
Starts with W, ends with AWAWA→
3D
Tree of knowledge locale (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEDEN→
4D
Directory name (6)
Starts with L, ends with ELISTEE→
5D
*Behind in payment (5)
Starts with L, ends with XLATEX→
6D
Ones "over there" in "Over There," in brief (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGIS→
7D
Sacrilegious (6)
Starts with U, ends with YUNHOLY→
8D
Legend, e.g. (5)
Starts with A, ends with AACURA→
9D
Beat in chess (5)
Starts with M, ends with DMATED→
10D
Mechanisms that are often spring-loaded (10)
Starts with M, ends with SMOUSETRAPS→
11D
*Forevermore (10)
Starts with E, ends with YEXTERNALLY→
12D
Us, in Spanish (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNOS→
14D
Sushi seaweed type (4)
Starts with N, ends with INORI→
19D
From further back (5)
Starts with O, ends with ROLDER→
21D
Befuddled (5)
Starts with A, ends with AATSEA→
25D
Coarse, as language (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSALTY→
26D
Quickly smooch … or a hint to the answers to the four starred Down clues (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEALAKISS→
27D
Square (10)
Starts with E, ends with NEVENSTEVEN→
29D
*Word appearing 51 times in the New Testament (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAXMEN→
31D
Speak extemporaneously (5)
Starts with A, ends with BADLIB→
32D
Makeup of some shelves (3)
Starts with I, ends with EICE→
33D
Lunch item usually eaten with two hands, in brief (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBLT→
34D
Cow's mouthful (3)
Starts with C, ends with DCUD→
35D
Photo ___ (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOPS→
38D
Wolf (down) (5)
Starts with S, ends with FSNARF→
41D
Michael nominated for Oscars in five different decades (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECAINE→
46D
Hollywood's Anderson or Bach (6)
Starts with P, ends with APAMELA→
49D
Little laugh (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETEHEE→
51D
Sounds from un estadio (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOLES→
52D
*Severely harm (5)
Starts with M, ends with MMAXIM→
55D
Words of affirmation (4)
Starts with I, ends with SITIS→
56D
Resting place for a boa (4)
Starts with N, ends with KNECK→
57D
Pâté de foie ___ (4)
Starts with G, ends with SGRAS→
58D
Unpleasant discovery under a desk (3)
Starts with G, ends with MGUM→
59D
Hair raiser? (3)
Starts with G, ends with LGEL→
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 February 12, 2026?+
76 clues: 39 Across and 37 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Kareem Ayas and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: *Succeed (DWELL); Home of War in the Pacific National Historical Park (GUAM); Sign on some restroom doors (MEN).
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.
