NYT Crossword hints and answer for January 18, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues140
Across63
Down77
TitleUse Your Words
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
Bit of regal headwear (6)
Starts with D, ends with MDIADEM→
7A
Singer Horne (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALENA→
11A
Develops alopecia (8)
Starts with G, ends with DGOESBALD→
20A
2022 World Series champ (5)
Starts with A, ends with OASTRO→
22A
College town nicknamed "A2" (8)
Starts with A, ends with RANNARBOR→
23A
Like the Gospel of Mark, sequentially? (12)
Starts with A, ends with WAFTERMATTHEW→
25A
Concert lineups (8)
Starts with S, ends with SSETLISTS→
26A
Matriarch of six of the 12 tribes of Israel (4)
Starts with L, ends with HLEAH→
27A
Make a choice (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOPT→
28A
Trouble (3)
Starts with W, ends with EWOE→
30A
1982 film whose name is a security program (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTRON→
31A
Text that says "Congratulations! You've won a MacBook Pro," probably (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSCAM→
33A
Prepare for a mechanic's certification exam? (15)
Starts with R, ends with EREVIEWTHEENGINE→
40A
Pulsates (6)
Starts with T, ends with STHROBS→
42A
Rock's Plastic ___ Band (3)
Starts with O, ends with OONO→
43A
Central parts of planets (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCORES→
44A
Hairdresser's supply (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDYE→
45A
Molecule that might be modeled with Twizzlers and gummies in biology class (3)
Starts with D, ends with ADNA→
46A
Soft shots, in tennis (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDINKS→
48A
Meditative chants (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOMS→
49A
Plant used in pickling (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDILL→
50A
H.S. exam whose highest score is 36 (3)
Starts with A, ends with TACT→
53A
Source of income for a website (6)
Starts with A, ends with EADSALE→
55A
Half of a popular social media app (3)
Starts with T, ends with KTIK→
57A
Discontinued iPods designed to fit into watch pockets (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNANOS→
58A
Original people to move into Cancún's peninsula? (20)
Starts with T, ends with NTHESETTLERSOFYUCATAN→
63A
Affectionate term for una madre (4)
Starts with M, ends with IMAMI→
64A
Designation for the Louisville Bats and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAAA→
65A
Preceder of Peacock and White in the game Clue (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMRS→
66A
"Big" comic protagonist (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENATE→
67A
"Don't look at me for help" … or a phonetic hint to this puzzle's theme (21)
Starts with S, ends with MSOUNDSLIKEAYOUPROBLEM→
75A
Dove's dwelling (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECOTE→
76A
Wii remote batteries (3)
Starts with A, ends with SAAS→
77A
Sloth in 2002's "Ice Age" (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSID→
78A
Sensation before a migraine, medically (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAURA→
79A
Gets married while wearing protective gear? (20)
Starts with U, ends with RUNITESINSHININGARMOR→
85A
Quarrels (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSPATS→
86A
Itty-bitty (3)
Starts with W, ends with EWEE→
87A
Japanese craft that literally translates to "tray planting" (6)
Starts with B, ends with IBONSAI→
88A
"This Is your brain on drugs," e.g., for short (3)
Starts with P, ends with APSA→
89A
Best-selling romance author Jimenez (4)
Starts with A, ends with YABBY→
90A
One of 2,214 for Babe Ruth (3)
Starts with R, ends with IRBI→
92A
"Shrek!" author William (5)
Starts with S, ends with GSTEIG→
94A
Common item at a checkout line, informally (3)
Starts with M, ends with GMAG→
96A
#1 spot in London? (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLOO→
97A
Honkers without horns (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGEESE→
99A
It might come with a shell (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROAR→
100A
Go over again (6)
Starts with R, ends with DREREAD→
103A
List of restaurant offerings for kids not yet three years old? (15)
Starts with T, ends with UTWOANDAHALFMENU→
107A
Kerfuffle (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTODO→
108A
Oodles (4)
Starts with G, ends with SGOBS→
109A
Someone who might issue a travel warning? (3)
Starts with R, ends with FREF→
110A
"Roger that!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with PYEP→
112A
Name that means "pink" in Spanish (4)
Starts with R, ends with AROSA→
114A
Relative of a husky (8)
Starts with M, ends with EMALAMUTE→
118A
Wedding planner's aid? (12)
Starts with V, ends with MVENUEDIAGRAM→
122A
"5 stars" (8)
Starts with I, ends with TILOVEDIT→
123A
It might raise a bunch of dough (5)
Starts with Y, ends with TYEAST→
124A
Stab of pain (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETWINGE→
125A
Values (8)
Starts with A, ends with SASSESSES→
126A
Businesses offering mud masks (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSPAS→
127A
Pulls the chain of, so to speak (6)
Starts with T, ends with STEASES→
Down
1D
Word on either side of "or no" (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDEAL→
2D
Overrun (6)
Starts with I, ends with TINFEST→
3D
Add electronically, in a way (6)
Starts with A, ends with HATTACH→
4D
Like a really big fan (7)
Starts with D, ends with DDIEHARD→
5D
Go wrong (3)
Starts with E, ends with RERR→
6D
Bad thing not to get (especially at the office?) (4)
Starts with M, ends with OMEMO→
7D
The Cinnamon Dolce or the Blonde Vanilla, at Starbucks (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELATTE→
8D
"Silentium ___ aureum" ("Silence is golden") (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEST→
9D
High degree (3)
Starts with N, ends with HNTH→
10D
"Is it time to rethink this relationship?" (7)
Starts with A, ends with KAREWEOK→
11D
Hilarious thing (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGAS→
12D
Like George H.W. Bush, but not George W. Bush (7)
Starts with O, ends with MONETERM→
13D
Starters' followers (7)
Starts with E, ends with SENTREES→
14D
Businesses whose employees work standing up (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSALONS→
15D
Carry in (5)
Starts with B, ends with GBRING→
16D
"Chiseled" features (3)
Starts with A, ends with SABS→
17D
Destiny in life (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLOT→
18D
Hippocratic oath followers, for short (3)
Starts with D, ends with SDRS→
21D
"Stop! That hurts!" (4)
Starts with O, ends with WOWOW→
24D
Car financing figs. (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPRS→
29D
List shortener (3)
Starts with E, ends with CETC→
32D
"Hidden Figures" co-star Janelle (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMONAE→
34D
Breathable fabric used in mosquito nets (5)
Starts with V, ends with EVOILE→
35D
___ child (5)
Starts with I, ends with RINNER→
36D
What a bad student might play (5)
Starts with H, ends with YHOOKY→
37D
Menzel of Broadway (5)
Starts with I, ends with AIDINA→
38D
Guitar string material (5)
Starts with N, ends with NNYLON→
39D
Fish traditionally in the British dish "pie and mash" (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEELS→
41D
What kitsch exhibits (8)
Starts with B, ends with EBADTASTE→
46D
___ Lama (5)
Starts with D, ends with IDALAI→
47D
Part of a bedtime routine (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSTORY→
49D
Healthy, fiber-rich snack (7)
Starts with D, ends with RDATEBAR→
50D
Where some bills originate (4)
Starts with A, ends with SATMS→
51D
Former transportation secretary Elaine (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCHAO→
52D
Chinese competitor of Amazon (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTEMU→
54D
Loses freshness (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTALES→
56D
"In that case …" (4)
Starts with I, ends with OIFSO→
57D
Grp. that Sweden joined in 2024 (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONATO→
60D
Sensation (5)
Starts with S, ends with HSMASH→
61D
Removes from the top of one's profile, as an Instagram post (6)
Starts with U, ends with SUNPINS→
62D
Hearts or spades, but not diamonds (8)
Starts with C, ends with ECARDGAME→
68D
......... (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDOTS→
69D
Classic Orson Welles protagonist (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKANE→
70D
Ameliorates (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEASES→
72D
Feature of undermixed batter (4)
Starts with L, ends with PLUMP→
73D
Greek god whose name becomes a flower if you move the first letter to the end (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEROS→
74D
Golden Globe nominee Rooney (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMARA→
79D
"V," to a violinist (5)
Starts with U, ends with WUPBOW→
80D
Padmé Amidala's home planet in "Star Wars" (5)
Starts with N, ends with ONABOO→
81D
"If only!" (5)
Starts with I, ends with HIWISH→
82D
Steel girder (5)
Starts with I, ends with MIBEAM→
83D
Bête ___ (5)
Starts with N, ends with ENOIRE→
84D
Images that can rip off human creators, perhaps (5)
Starts with A, ends with TAIART→
85D
Pretzel topper (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSALT→
90D
Trees with heart-shaped leaves (7)
Starts with R, ends with SREDBUDS→
91D
Creature, cutesily (7)
Starts with B, ends with EBEASTIE→
93D
Candies that crack with a crunch (7)
Starts with T, ends with STOFFEES→
95D
Last of the 13 original colonies to be founded (7)
Starts with G, ends with AGEORGIA→
97D
Some lawn ornaments (6)
Starts with G, ends with SGNOMES→
98D
Part of E.N.T. (3)
Starts with E, ends with REAR→
100D
Kicked oneself for (4)
Starts with R, ends with DRUED→
101D
Prettifies (6)
Starts with A, ends with SADORNS→
102D
500 mg 2x/day, e.g. (6)
Starts with D, ends with EDOSAGE→
104D
Source of a natural sweetener (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAGAVE→
105D
Last name shared by three actors on "Schitt's Creek" (4)
Starts with L, ends with YLEVY→
106D
Russian denials (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNYETS→
111D
The Panthers of the A.C.C. (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPITT→
113D
Midwest city whose name becomes a Southwest city if you move the first letter to the end (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAMES→
114D
Not around, informally (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMIA→
115D
Hirt and Hirschfeld (3)
Starts with A, ends with SALS→
116D
Día de ___ Reyes Magos (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLOS→
117D
They're often depicted with green skin, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with SETS→
119D
Something much needed after an all-nighter (3)
Starts with N, ends with PNAP→
120D
Today preceder (3)
Starts with U, ends with AUSA→
121D
Leave speechless (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAWE→
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 January 18, 2026?+
140 clues: 63 Across and 77 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Rena Cohen and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Bit of regal headwear (DIADEM); Singer Horne (LENA); Develops alopecia (GOESBALD).
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.
