NYT Crossword hints and answer for February 19, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues79
Across37
Down42
ConstructorJohn Ewbank
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
Punk rocker Joan (4)
Starts with J, ends with TJETT→
5A
Choctaw or Chickasaw (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETRIBE→
10A
Design detail (4)
Starts with S, ends with CSPEC→
14A
"Up and ___!" (catchphrase for a physicist) (4)
Starts with A, ends with MATOM→
15A
In possession of (6)
Starts with H, ends with GHAVING→
17A
Tibetan title (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALAMA→
18A
Courting disaster, slangily (18)
Starts with C, ends with NCRUISINFORABRUISIN→
21A
Fraternity party order (3)
Starts with K, ends with GKEG→
22A
Symbol of protection (3)
Starts with A, ends with KARK→
23A
Part of a window above the apron (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSILL→
24A
One-half of a golf partnership, perhaps (3)
Starts with P, ends with OPRO→
25A
Sound of disapproval (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHISS→
27A
Concludes (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCLOSES→
29A
Uses a shampoo bottle as a microphone, perhaps (16)
Starts with S, ends with RSINGSINTHESHOWER→
34A
Swindled (5)
Starts with S, ends with GSTUNG→
35A
Boxing champ Laila (3)
Starts with A, ends with IALI→
36A
Subject of the Edward Snowden leaks, in brief (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANSA→
37A
Jot down (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENOTE→
38A
Makes a noise like an electric fan (6)
Starts with W, ends with SWHIRRS→
40A
Australian actor Eric (4)
Starts with B, ends with ABANA→
44A
"___ Father …" (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROUR→
46A
Concert souvenir (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETEE→
47A
River to the Rio Grande (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPECOS→
48A
They may have knowledge of corporate secrets (16)
Starts with B, ends with SBUSINESSINSIDERS→
51A
Be defeated by (6)
Starts with L, ends with OLOSETO→
52A
"___ of the D'Urbervilles" (4)
Starts with T, ends with STESS→
53A
Big name in London (3)
Starts with B, ends with NBEN→
54A
Big beginning? (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMEGA→
56A
Servant of Sauron in "The Lord of the Rings" (3)
Starts with O, ends with CORC→
57A
Short flight (3)
Starts with H, ends with PHOP→
60A
64A
Volunteer's words (4)
Starts with I, ends with NICAN→
65A
Completely immersed, perhaps (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSOAKED→
66A
Some colorful plastic items in the seasonal aisle in the spring (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEGGS→
67A
Noted Punxsutawney resident (4)
Starts with P, ends with LPHIL→
68A
Source of some aerial shots (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDRONE→
69A
"Take ___!" (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTHAT→
Down
1D
Part of a royal flush (4)
Starts with J, ends with KJACK→
2D
Raison d'___ (4)
Starts with E, ends with EETRE→
3D
Metaphor for a challenging puzzle (8)
Starts with T, ends with TTOUGHNUT→
4D
"Eww … just eww" (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITMI→
5D
Want very much, with "for" (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTHIRST→
6D
Major, e.g. (4)
Starts with R, ends with KRANK→
7D
Reproductive option, for short (3)
Starts with I, ends with FIVF→
8D
Some paragraphs in playbills (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBIOS→
9D
Improve (6)
Starts with E, ends with HENRICH→
10D
High-end camera, for short (3)
Starts with S, ends with RSLR→
11D
Penniless one (6)
Starts with P, ends with RPAUPER→
12D
Mideast leaders (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEMIRS→
13D
Spot to play baccarat (6)
Starts with C, ends with OCASINO→
16D
Gas units (7)
Starts with G, ends with SGALLONS→
19D
Talking back to (7)
Starts with S, ends with GSASSING→
20D
Is really bad, in slang (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBLOWS→
26D
Formed from molten lava (7)
Starts with I, ends with SIGNEOUS→
28D
Sunken treasure sites (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSEABEDS→
29D
You can request a new one on religious grounds if it contains "666": Abbr. (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSSN→
30D
"What was ___ think?" (3)
Starts with I, ends with OITO→
31D
"Yeah, right!" (3)
Starts with H, ends with HHAH→
32D
Ruling class (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELITE→
33D
Fathers (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSIRES→
38D
Dickens and Dickinson (7)
Starts with W, ends with SWRITERS→
39D
Varnish ingredient (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRESIN→
41D
Card game clarification (8)
Starts with A, ends with HACESHIGH→
42D
Neither's partner (3)
Starts with N, ends with RNOR→
43D
Buffoon (3)
Starts with A, ends with SASS→
45D
"I'm at your disposal" (5)
Starts with U, ends with EUSEME→
47D
Bishop, e.g. (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPIECE→
48D
Japanese word that's sometimes translated as "planted in a pot" (6)
Starts with B, ends with IBONSAI→
49D
Commentator's call after a missed field goal (6)
Starts with N, ends with DNOGOOD→
50D
Took steps (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESTRODE→
51D
Medieval cure-all (5)
Starts with L, ends with HLEECH→
53D
Radar operator's concern (4)
Starts with B, ends with PBLIP→
55D
Over yonder (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAFAR→
56D
Wilson of the Frat Pack (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOWEN→
58D
Actress Kurylenko (4)
Starts with O, ends with AOLGA→
59D
"Over here!" (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPSST→
61D
Sketch show with Colin Jost, in brief (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSNL→
62D
Fight-ending letters (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTKO→
63D
Screen, as a candidate (3)
Starts with V, ends with TVET→
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 19, 2026?+
79 clues: 37 Across and 42 Down. The puzzle was constructed by John Ewbank and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Punk rocker Joan (JETT); Choctaw or Chickasaw (TRIBE); Design detail (SPEC).
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.
