NYT Crossword hints and answer for January 20, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across29
Down45
ConstructorJonathan Raksin
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
Small bouquets (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPOSIES→
7A
"In that case …" (4)
Starts with I, ends with OIFSO→
11A
Cleopatra's killer (3)
Starts with A, ends with PASP→
14A
One of a record 30+ for Beyoncé (6)
Starts with G, ends with YGRAMMY→
15A
Short piano piece (8)
Starts with S, ends with ASONATINA→
17A
Improvises (6)
Starts with A, ends with SADLIBS→
18A
One who's hanging around (8)
Starts with L, ends with RLOITERER→
19A
It begins with Alfa and ends with Zulu (12)
Starts with N, ends with TNATOALPHABET→
21A
The Falcons, on scoreboards (3)
Starts with A, ends with LATL→
24A
Follower of "T." (3)
Starts with R, ends with XREX→
25A
Figure depicted in Michelangelo's "Pietà" (4)
Starts with M, ends with YMARY→
26A
Hellenistic storytelling (14)
Starts with G, ends with YGREEKMYTHOLOGY→
32A
Parade spoiler (4)
Starts with R, ends with NRAIN→
33A
East Coast convenience store chain with a reduplicative name (4)
Starts with W, ends with AWAWA→
34A
Modern pickup spot for delivery drivers (15)
Starts with A, ends with EAMAZONWAREHOUSE→
42A
Flatbread from India (4)
Starts with R, ends with IROTI→
43A
Fight night souvenir, perhaps (4)
Starts with W, ends with TWELT→
44A
Historic destination for Pueblo pilgrimages (14)
Starts with T, ends with NTHEGRANDCANYON→
50A
Düsseldorf denial (4)
Starts with N, ends with NNEIN→
51A
Video game creature often depicted with green skin (3)
Starts with O, ends with CORC→
52A
One place to find a Brazilian (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASPA→
53A
59A
Group of orcas (8)
Starts with W, ends with DWHALEPOD→
60A
Groups of scouts (6)
Starts with T, ends with STROOPS→
64A
Suddenly motivated, with "under" (8)
Starts with L, ends with ELITAFIRE→
66A
"Amen!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYES→
67A
Romeo or Juliet, notably (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTEEN→
68A
D flat equivalent (6)
Starts with C, ends with PCSHARP→
Down
1D
Tour overseer, for short (3)
Starts with P, ends with APGA→
2D
Chicago airport code (3)
Starts with O, ends with DORD→
3D
___ Minella ("The Muppet Show" Muppet) (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSAL→
4D
Poker declaration (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIMIN→
5D
Set sail (6)
Starts with E, ends with KEMBARK→
6D
The "S" of A.B.S. (6)
Starts with S, ends with MSYSTEM→
7D
Mallorca, por ejemplo (4)
Starts with I, ends with AISLA→
8D
One pitied by Mr. T, in a catchphrase (4)
Starts with F, ends with LFOOL→
9D
Scissor cut (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSNIP→
10D
Words with one's right hand raised (4)
Starts with O, ends with HOATH→
11D
Novel feature of the 1974 Olds Toronado (6)
Starts with A, ends with GAIRBAG→
12D
Visibly disdainful (6)
Starts with S, ends with YSNEERY→
13D
Shindig (5)
Starts with P, ends with YPARTY→
16D
"I love you," in Spanish (5)
Starts with T, ends with OTEAMO→
20D
Prefix for element #8 (3)
Starts with O, ends with YOXY→
21D
Indian tourist city (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAGRA→
22D
Transport between terminals (4)
Starts with T, ends with MTRAM→
23D
"Star Wars" princess (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALEIA→
27D
Split ___ (New Wave band whose name sounds like a hair problem) (3)
Starts with E, ends with ZENZ→
28D
American author whose life span closely coincided with Halley's comet visits (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTWAIN→
29D
Sarcastic laugh syllable (3)
Starts with H, ends with RHAR→
30D
Be behind (3)
Starts with O, ends with EOWE→
31D
___-di-dah (3)
Starts with L, ends with HLAH→
35D
See 47-Down (3)
Starts with O, ends with GORG→
36D
Negative logic gate that works similarly to "and" (3)
Starts with N, ends with RNOR→
37D
Sports grp. for Coco Gauff (3)
Starts with W, ends with AWTA→
38D
Not lease, say (3)
Starts with O, ends with NOWN→
39D
One-eighties (4)
Starts with U, ends with SUEYS→
40D
Unappetizing food (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSLOP→
41D
Europe's highest volcano (4)
Starts with E, ends with AETNA→
44D
Computer whiz (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETECHIE→
45D
Drum kit components descended from "sock cymbals" (6)
Starts with H, ends with SHIHATS→
46D
___ Holmes, Netflix character played by Millie Bobby Brown (5)
Starts with E, ends with AENOLA→
47D
With 35-Down, URL ending for Wikipedia (3)
Starts with D, ends with TDOT→
48D
Any poster on Yelp, essentially (6)
Starts with C, ends with CCRITIC→
49D
Squirrel's hoard (6)
Starts with A, ends with SACORNS→
50D
Just now (5)
Starts with N, ends with YNEWLY→
54D
West side? (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLEFT→
55D
Mayberry boy of ’60s TV (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOPIE→
56D
McIntosh (or Macintosh) component (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECORE→
57D
Port of Yemen (4)
Starts with A, ends with NADEN→
58D
One famously preparing for a flood (4)
Starts with N, ends with HNOAH→
61D
"… ___ lack thereof" (3)
Starts with O, ends with AORA→
62D
Brita competitor (3)
Starts with P, ends with RPUR→
63D
Pennzoil competitor (3)
Starts with S, ends with PSTP→
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 20, 2026?+
74 clues: 29 Across and 45 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Jonathan Raksin and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Small bouquets (POSIES); "In that case …" (IFSO); Cleopatra's killer (ASP).
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.
