NYT Crossword hints and answer for February 5, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
ConstructorDario Salvucci
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
Dives into (5)
Starts with H, ends with THASAT→
6A
Cause to crack up (4)
Starts with S, ends with YSLAY→
10A
Pillow covering (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSHAM→
14A
Florida's ___ National Forest (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOCALA→
15A
Give quite a shock (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETASE→
16A
Antifur org. (4)
Starts with P, ends with APETA→
17A
| $ | $ | $ | $ | (10)
Starts with T, ends with STOLLBOOTHS→
19A
Sheltered from the wind (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALEE→
20A
Charge on imports (4)
Starts with D, ends with YDUTY→
21A
Bible-inspired tourist attraction in Williamstown, Ky. (3)
Starts with A, ends with KARK→
22A
Excel spreadsheets, essentially (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGRIDS→
23A
Go (for) (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOPT→
24A
| : : : | / / (11)
Starts with F, ends with TFREEWAYEXIT→
27A
"How dare you!" looks (6)
Starts with G, ends with SGLARES→
29A
Tree whose "slippery" variety has medicinal bark (3)
Starts with E, ends with MELM→
30A
Mistake "air" for "heir," say (3)
Starts with E, ends with RERR→
31A
Chick checker of a sort (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSEXER→
32A
Put one's hands together (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCLAP→
35A
Classic Jack Kerouac novel … or where you'll find 17-, 24-, 49- and 58-Across (9)
Starts with O, ends with DONTHEROAD→
38A
Fundamentals (4)
Starts with A, ends with SABCS→
41A
Helps out (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAIDS→
42A
Spinal stack (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDISCS→
46A
Grassy grazing ground (3)
Starts with L, ends with ALEA→
47A
Wrestling match ender (3)
Starts with P, ends with NPIN→
48A
Racer's final go-round (6)
Starts with G, ends with PGUNLAP→
49A
| : : :--| (11)
Starts with L, ends with ELANECLOSURE→
53A
Gershwin brother (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIRA→
54A
Adds to a stuffed suitcase, say (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCRAMS→
55A
Schedule pro (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACPA→
56A
Choice of bands, for short (4)
Starts with A, ends with MAMFM→
57A
Church nook (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAPSE→
58A
|X:X:X:X|
|X:X:X:X|
|X:X:X:X| (10)
Starts with T, ends with MTRAFFICJAM→
62A
Dynamic starter? (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAERO→
63A
Fictional region that includes Bag End (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHIRE→
64A
Slap (at) (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSWAT→
65A
"Your turn," on a radio (4)
Starts with O, ends with ROVER→
66A
Sent up on social media, say (5)
Starts with M, ends with DMEMED→
Down
1D
Show-offs (7)
Starts with H, ends with SHOTDOGS→
2D
Not many (7)
Starts with A, ends with EACOUPLE→
3D
Levy that helped fund the Erie Canal (7)
Starts with S, ends with XSALTTAX→
4D
Friend in tough times (4)
Starts with A, ends with YALLY→
5D
Paragraph starter, perhaps (3)
Starts with T, ends with BTAB→
6D
Archive (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESTORE→
7D
Potato pancake for Hanukkah (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELATKE→
8D
Campfire residue (3)
Starts with A, ends with HASH→
9D
"Definitely!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYES→
10D
Prince Harry, per his memoir's title (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPARE→
11D
Genomic shapes (7)
Starts with H, ends with SHELIXES→
12D
Put up with put-downs (7)
Starts with A, ends with TATEDIRT→
13D
Baton wielder (7)
Starts with M, ends with OMAESTRO→
18D
Galley implements (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOARS→
22D
Class that may require a change of clothes (3)
Starts with G, ends with MGYM→
24D
Leaves in a waiting room? (4)
Starts with F, ends with NFERN→
25D
Becomes tiresome (5)
Starts with W, ends with SWEARS→
26D
Brand in the pet aisle (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALPO→
28D
Some vintage autos (4)
Starts with R, ends with SREOS→
32D
Khaki alternative (5)
Starts with C, ends with OCHINO→
33D
Played the first card (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLED→
34D
Possible score seven points after love-love (4)
Starts with A, ends with NADIN→
36D
Follow (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTAIL→
37D
In unison, musically (4)
Starts with A, ends with EADUE→
38D
Case of emergency? (7)
Starts with A, ends with SALLCAPS→
39D
Source of a large print (7)
Starts with B, ends with WBEARPAW→
40D
Card game played with two decks (7)
Starts with C, ends with ACANASTA→
43D
Meat stick brand (7)
Starts with S, ends with MSLIMJIM→
44D
Commuter's charge (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECARFARE→
45D
Barraged with irrelevant material (7)
Starts with S, ends with DSPAMMED→
47D
HPs, e.g. (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPCS→
48D
First tennis player to achieve a Golden Slam (4)
Starts with G, ends with FGRAF→
50D
Become acquainted via Gmail, say (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEMEET→
51D
Jump ___ (horror movie staple) (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCARE→
52D
Willing to take part in (5)
Starts with U, ends with RUPFOR→
58D
Confucian "way" (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTAO→
59D
Energize, with "up" (3)
Starts with R, ends with VREV→
60D
Suffix with capital (3)
Starts with I, ends with MISM→
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 5, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Dario Salvucci and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Dives into (HASAT); Cause to crack up (SLAY); Pillow covering (SHAM).
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.
