NYT Crossword hints and answer for February 28, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues68
Across33
Down35
ConstructorAdam Levav
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
Set unambitious goals (6)
Starts with A, ends with WAIMLOW→
7A
One playing beerball, perhaps (7)
Starts with F, ends with YFRATBOY→
14A
Tolkien ring bearer (7)
Starts with S, ends with LSMEAGOL→
16A
Precious person (7)
Starts with D, ends with EDEARONE→
17A
Phrase you might say while pointing at a photograph (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETHATSME→
18A
Goes against the rule? (7)
Starts with R, ends with SREVOLTS→
19A
Musical set in Alphabet City (4)
Starts with R, ends with TRENT→
20A
Term of endearment appropriated from 9-Down (3)
Starts with B, ends with EBAE→
22A
Part of a Blues Brothers outfit (6)
Starts with F, ends with AFEDORA→
23A
Animated friend of Sebastian the crab (5)
Starts with A, ends with LARIEL→
25A
Some arm muscles, informally (4)
Starts with T, ends with STRIS→
27A
Cassiterite is a source of it (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTIN→
28A
Robert Frost's middle name (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELEE→
29A
___ Allen Express, Amtrak train from New York City to Burlington, Vt. (5)
Starts with E, ends with NETHAN→
31A
Innermost moon of Neptune (5)
Starts with N, ends with DNAIAD→
33A
Pressure gauge? (11)
Starts with S, ends with LSTRESSLEVEL→
35A
Past, colloquially (11)
Starts with B, ends with SBEFORETIMES→
36A
Symbols used to group blocks of computer code (11)
Starts with C, ends with SCURLYBRACES→
37A
Was on the sidelines (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSATBY→
38A
Breathlessness (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAPNEA→
39A
Polynesian staple (3)
Starts with P, ends with IPOI→
42A
Not mainstream, as some music genres (3)
Starts with A, ends with TALT→
44A
Weakens, as an overly strong character, in video game lingo (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNERFS→
46A
Angora fabric (6)
Starts with M, ends with RMOHAIR→
49A
Utmost (3)
Starts with N, ends with HNTH→
51A
___ Tung, star of cable TV's "The Summer I Turned Pretty" (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALOLA→
52A
Did a bedtime task (7)
Starts with B, ends with DBRUSHED→
54A
Modern banking convenience (7)
Starts with A, ends with YAUTOPAY→
56A
Musical sample added for excitement (7)
Starts with A, ends with NAIRHORN→
57A
Animals in an early-2000s virtual fad (7)
Starts with N, ends with SNEOPETS→
58A
Entered again (7)
Starts with R, ends with DRETYPED→
59A
One might play at home (6)
Starts with S, ends with OSTEREO→
Down
1D
Kind of projection (6)
Starts with A, ends with LASTRAL→
2D
Call at a roll call (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIMHERE→
3D
Big jerk (6)
Starts with M, ends with EMEANIE→
4D
Drink often sipped (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELATTE→
5D
Rap pioneers, slangily (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOGS→
6D
Space to develop as a person? (4)
Starts with W, ends with BWOMB→
7D
8D
School houses? (5)
Starts with R, ends with SREEFS→
9D
Dialect that is responsible for a large majority of Gen Z slang (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAAVE→
10D
Put one's foot down (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTROD→
11D
Decorative items worn at Western galas (8)
Starts with B, ends with SBOLOTIES→
12D
Like defendants at court (7)
Starts with O, ends with LONTRIAL→
13D
Principle of improv comedy (6)
Starts with Y, ends with DYESAND→
15D
Gay nightlife spot with a dress requirement (10)
Starts with L, ends with RLEATHERBAR→
21D
Error correction tool (9)
Starts with E, ends with NERASERPEN→
24D
Uncork, so to speak (6)
Starts with L, ends with YLETFLY→
26D
Body bronzer (10)
Starts with I, ends with NINSTANTTAN→
30D
___ Story (punny nickname for the "Iliad") (4)
Starts with T, ends with YTROY→
31D
Like the lion killed by Hercules (6)
Starts with N, ends with NNEMEAN→
32D
Scientific classification for birds (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAVES→
33D
Tesla, for one (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSERB→
34D
Affliction treated with a nit comb (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELICE→
35D
Acting like a sore loser, informally (8)
Starts with B, ends with TBUTTHURT→
36D
___ counter (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECALORIE→
37D
South Indian lentil stew (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSAMBAR→
39D
Following etiquette (6)
Starts with P, ends with RPROPER→
40D
Recently (6)
Starts with O, ends with EOFLATE→
41D
Declaration after "because" (6)
Starts with I, ends with OISAYSO→
43D
French relative (5)
Starts with F, ends with EFRERE→
45D
Skip the ceremony, say (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELOPE→
47D
Like some unmoisturized skin (4)
Starts with A, ends with YASHY→
48D
Blue-roofed restaurant (4)
Starts with I, ends with PIHOP→
50D
Coral and sand, for two (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHUES→
53D
Popular role-playing game since 1974, informally (3)
Starts with D, ends with DDND→
55D
One whose eyes are "all aglow" in "The Christmas Song" (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTOT→
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 28, 2026?+
68 clues: 33 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Adam Levav and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Set unambitious goals (AIMLOW); One playing beerball, perhaps (FRATBOY); Tolkien ring bearer (SMEAGOL).
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.
