NYT Crossword hints and answer for February 9, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
ConstructorMatthew Stock
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
The slightest bit (4)
Starts with A, ends with DATAD→
5A
Mariner's septet (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSEAS→
9A
Picket line crosser (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSCAB→
13A
Like a situation with only bad outcomes (5)
Starts with N, ends with NNOWIN→
15A
St. Louis's Gateway ___ National Park (4)
Starts with A, ends with HARCH→
16A
Voice above tenor (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALTO→
17A
Thanksgiving boatful (5)
Starts with G, ends with YGRAVY→
18A
Spanish cat (4)
Starts with G, ends with OGATO→
19A
Nutritionist's plan (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDIET→
20A
Main drag through Sin City (13)
Starts with L, ends with PLASVEGASSTRIP→
23A
"Fancy meeting you here!" (4)
Starts with O, ends with IOHHI→
24A
Apply, as a new skill (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUSE→
25A
Indigenous Southwestern people (6)
Starts with P, ends with OPUEBLO→
28A
Body part that can serve as a pencil holder (3)
Starts with E, ends with REAR→
30A
"Delicious!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with MYUM→
31A
Trireme implement (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROAR→
32A
Valuable bit in a prospector's pan (10)
Starts with G, ends with TGOLDNUGGET→
37A
Like sudokus with very few given digits, generally (4)
Starts with H, ends with DHARD→
38A
"Nope, not for me" (5)
Starts with I, ends with TIMOUT→
39A
Online "haha" (3)
Starts with L, ends with LLOL→
40A
Steep-walled canyon (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGORGE→
41A
Hoarse voice (4)
Starts with R, ends with PRASP→
42A
Hockey player who typically plays the entire game (10)
Starts with G, ends with RGOALTENDER→
44A
Explosive-sounding TV channel (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTNT→
45A
Crow's call (3)
Starts with C, ends with WCAW→
46A
Punk-inspired music genre (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEMO→
47A
Minor disruption in the proceedings (6)
Starts with H, ends with PHICCUP→
49A
[Their typo, not mine!] (3)
Starts with S, ends with CSIC→
51A
Be a passenger (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERIDE→
55A
58A
"You have a point there" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETRUE→
60A
Lake on Ohio's northern border (4)
Starts with E, ends with EERIE→
61A
Nine-member musical group (5)
Starts with N, ends with TNONET→
62A
Lack of difficulty (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEASE→
63A
Pimples (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACNE→
64A
Like a lot (5)
Starts with A, ends with EADORE→
65A
Amazed (4)
Starts with A, ends with DAWED→
66A
From ___ to riches (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRAGS→
67A
Water pitcher (4)
Starts with E, ends with REWER→
Down
1D
___-Saxon (5)
Starts with A, ends with OANGLO→
2D
Scroll read during a bat mitzvah ceremony (5)
Starts with T, ends with HTORAH→
3D
Overflowing (with) (5)
Starts with A, ends with HAWASH→
4D
Apportioned (9)
Starts with D, ends with PDIVVIEDUP→
5D
Long stories (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSAGAS→
6D
Wipe clean (5)
Starts with E, ends with EERASE→
7D
"America's Got Talent" segments (4)
Starts with A, ends with SACTS→
8D
Track-and-field event with a 16-pound ball (7)
Starts with S, ends with TSHOTPUT→
9D
British novelist Jones (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESADIE→
10D
Portable writing surface (9)
Starts with C, ends with DCLIPBOARD→
11D
Devoured (3)
Starts with A, ends with EATE→
12D
Spam spewer (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBOT→
14D
Bill who says "Science rules!" in the intro to his TV show (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENYE→
21D
Sanskrit word for "teacher" (4)
Starts with G, ends with UGURU→
22D
"Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of ___" (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRUM→
26D
Massive (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELARGE→
27D
Pick from the menu (5)
Starts with O, ends with RORDER→
29D
Tiny hill dweller (3)
Starts with A, ends with TANT→
30D
Bellow (4)
Starts with Y, ends with LYELL→
32D
Measurement around the waist (5)
Starts with G, ends with HGIRTH→
33D
Resident of Muscat (5)
Starts with O, ends with IOMANI→
34D
Something that's beyond help (9)
Starts with L, ends with ELOSTCAUSE→
35D
Luminesce (4)
Starts with G, ends with WGLOW→
36D
India's smallest state by area (3)
Starts with G, ends with AGOA→
37D
What students abide by when they don't cheat (9)
Starts with H, ends with EHONORCODE→
40D
Precious stone (3)
Starts with G, ends with MGEM→
42D
Period before starting more school (7)
Starts with G, ends with RGAPYEAR→
43D
Georgia ___ (Atlanta school) (4)
Starts with T, ends with HTECH→
45D
Pool player's stick (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECUE→
48D
Words to live by (5)
Starts with C, ends with DCREED→
49D
Taking to court (5)
Starts with S, ends with GSUING→
50D
Some frozen drinks (5)
Starts with I, ends with SICEES→
52D
"No need to remind me!" (5)
Starts with I, ends with WIKNOW→
53D
Outdoor John? (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDEERE→
54D
"Come in" (5)
Starts with E, ends with RENTER→
56D
Oceanic predator (4)
Starts with O, ends with AORCA→
57D
All ___ day's work (3)
Starts with I, ends with AINA→
58D
Drink served by the Mad Hatter (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
59D
Like the fish in poke (3)
Starts with R, ends with WRAW→
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 9, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Matthew Stock and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: The slightest bit (ATAD); Mariner's septet (SEAS); Picket line crosser (SCAB).
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.
