NYT Crossword hints and answer for February 26, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across29
Down45
ConstructorYitzi Snow
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
8A
250,000 sheets (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDREAMS→
14A
Short piece of classical music (8)
Starts with S, ends with ASONATINA→
15A
Accessory for SpongeBob SquarePants (6)
Starts with R, ends with EREDTIE→
16A
Long-tongued animal (8)
Starts with A, ends with RANTEATER→
17A
Laudanum, e.g. (6)
Starts with O, ends with EOPIATE→
18A
Calif. M.L.B. team, on scoreboards (3)
Starts with L, ends with ALAA→
19A
Happening (5)
Starts with A, ends with TAFOOT→
21A
Collectively, the reigns of all English monarchs named George (11)
Starts with V, ends with SVIKINGSHIPS→
26A
Grill, informally (3)
Starts with B, ends with QBBQ→
29A
Bit of mining equipment (7)
Starts with O, ends with TORECART→
30A
It's not pretty (7)
Starts with E, ends with EEYESORE→
32A
Walt Disney's middle name (5)
Starts with E, ends with SELIAS→
34A
Like a plane, informally (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTWOD→
35A
40A
Malarkey (4)
Starts with J, ends with EJIVE→
41A
"Stompin' at the ___" (Benny Goodman standard) (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSAVOY→
42A
"Based on my research …" (7)
Starts with I, ends with YICANSAY→
46A
___ Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow (7)
Starts with N, ends with ANATASHA→
50A
Vibe (with) (3)
Starts with G, ends with LGEL→
51A
Superhuman strength, mind-reading, invisibility and four dozen other powers (11)
Starts with L, ends with SLIABILITIES→
53A
Vexing (5)
Starts with P, ends with YPESKY→
54A
Title for a certain union member? (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMRS→
55A
Like cats and dogs (6)
Starts with P, ends with LPLURAL→
58A
Stall, e.g. (8)
Starts with G, ends with EGAINTIME→
63A
Charge, in a way (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIONIZE→
64A
Loose, as floorboards (8)
Starts with U, ends with DUNNAILED→
65A
☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ (6)
Starts with X, ends with SXBOXES→
66A
Total on a chiliagon (7)
Starts with M, ends with SMANGLES→
Down
1D
Nicolas Cage film set on a plane (6)
Starts with C, ends with RCONAIR→
2D
Amount measured in calories (6)
Starts with I, ends with EINTAKE→
3D
Highland refusal (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENAE→
4D
Org. that runs the "L" (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACTA→
5D
Alternative to a walk (3)
Starts with H, ends with THIT→
6D
67.5 deg. on a compass (3)
Starts with E, ends with EENE→
7D
___ Connor, the Terminator's target in "The Terminator" (5)
Starts with S, ends with HSARAH→
8D
Wilted (6)
Starts with D, ends with YDROOPY→
9D
Peaceful state (6)
Starts with R, ends with EREPOSE→
10D
Make some alterations (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEDIT→
11D
___ minimum (3)
Starts with A, ends with AATA→
12D
Cambridge sch. (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMIT→
14D
Sudden attack (5)
Starts with S, ends with OSALVO→
20D
"Bah!" (3)
Starts with F, ends with EFIE→
22D
Workers who sing the opening number in "Frozen" (6)
Starts with I, ends with NICEMEN→
23D
Queen of the Pride Lands (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANALA→
24D
Friendly look (4)
Starts with G, ends with NGRIN→
25D
Ending of seven country names (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSTAN→
26D
Poke ___ (4)
Starts with B, ends with LBOWL→
28D
End of a proof (3)
Starts with Q, ends with DQED→
31D
Patronize, as an Airbnb (6)
Starts with S, ends with TSTAYAT→
33D
Questionable, in slang (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSUS→
35D
Side dish eaten with curry (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERICE→
36D
Roundish, say (4)
Starts with O, ends with LOVAL→
37D
Salon job, informally (4)
Starts with M, ends with IMANI→
38D
Assessment, informally (4)
Starts with E, ends with LEVAL→
39D
Side dish eaten with curry (4)
Starts with R, ends with IROTI→
40D
Some fancy footwork (3)
Starts with J, ends with GJIG→
43D
Dirtbag (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESLEAZE→
44D
Parts of naves (6)
Starts with A, ends with SAISLES→
45D
Animal in some traditional Tibetan races (3)
Starts with Y, ends with KYAK→
47D
Like a fish out of water, e.g. (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESIMILE→
48D
Mercury's mythological counterpart (6)
Starts with H, ends with SHERMES→
49D
Half-___ (subpar, in slang) (5)
Starts with A, ends with DASSED→
52D
"Dagnabbit!" (5)
Starts with B, ends with MBYGUM→
53D
Grand ___ (4)
Starts with P, ends with XPRIX→
55D
Shots, informally (3)
Starts with P, ends with XPIX→
56D
Toss up? (3)
Starts with L, ends with BLOB→
57D
One, south of the border (3)
Starts with U, ends with OUNO→
59D
"Ballerina" star ___ de Armas (3)
Starts with A, ends with AANA→
60D
You can stop right there! (3)
Starts with I, ends with NINN→
61D
Remind too often (3)
Starts with N, ends with GNAG→
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 26, 2026?+
74 clues: 29 Across and 45 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Yitzi Snow and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: 8' 4" (CINCHES); 250,000 sheets (DREAMS); Short piece of classical music (SONATINA).
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.
