NYT Crossword hints and answer for January 7, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across39
Down37
ConstructorAdrianne Baik
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
Actress Pinkett Smith of "Girls Trip" (4)
Starts with J, ends with AJADA→
5A
Gets better (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHEALS→
10A
"Great" animals (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPES→
14A
Super-cool (4)
Starts with E, ends with CEPIC→
15A
Subject of 2001 bankruptcy headlines (5)
Starts with E, ends with NENRON→
16A
"That's crazy!," on the internet (4)
Starts with W, ends with HWOAH→
17A
Wing woman? (10)
Starts with T, ends with LTINKERBELL→
19A
Not right (4)
Starts with A, ends with YAWRY→
20A
Second-most-common surname in Korea, after Kim (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELEE→
21A
Right away (4)
Starts with A, ends with PASAP→
22A
Sports center (5)
Starts with A, ends with AARENA→
23A
They have pH's below 7 (5)
Starts with A, ends with SACIDS→
25A
Cover girl? (9)
Starts with N, ends with WNANCYDREW→
28A
Kind of makeup you're born with? (7)
Starts with G, ends with CGENETIC→
30A
XXX counterpart (3)
Starts with O, ends with OOOO→
31A
Org. with a 3-1-1 rule (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATSA→
32A
Gave a meal (3)
Starts with F, ends with DFED→
33A
W-9 fig. (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSSN→
34A
San Francisco or San Antonio (4)
Starts with C, ends with YCITY→
35A
Homecoming queen? (11)
Starts with D, ends with EDOROTHYGALE→
38A
Unhealthy haze (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSMOG→
40A
Mathematician Terence (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTAO→
41A
Musical genre that's the subject of the 2007 book "Everybody Hurts" (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEMO→
42A
Game of pursuit (3)
Starts with T, ends with GTAG→
43A
On behalf of (3)
Starts with F, ends with RFOR→
44A
Places for pampering pups (7)
Starts with P, ends with SPETSPAS→
48A
Sister-in-law? (9)
Starts with E, ends with SELLEWOODS→
51A
Witherspoon who played 48-Across (5)
Starts with R, ends with EREESE→
52A
"We need to talk" (5)
Starts with A, ends with DAWORD→
53A
Smurf elder (4)
Starts with P, ends with APAPA→
55A
Miss, e.g. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESHE→
56A
Hot stuff (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALAVA→
57A
Cat lady? (10)
Starts with H, ends with YHELLOKITTY→
60A
Uno más dos (4)
Starts with T, ends with STRES→
61A
Grads, now (5)
Starts with A, ends with SALUMS→
62A
Potatoes, in Indian cooking (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALOO→
63A
Text sent upon arrival (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHERE→
64A
Rapper ___ Elliott (5)
Starts with M, ends with YMISSY→
65A
Course list? (4)
Starts with M, ends with UMENU→
Down
1D
Circadian dysrhythmia, less fancily (6)
Starts with J, ends with GJETLAG→
2D
By the item (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAPIECE→
3D
Enjoy a home-cooked meal, say (6)
Starts with D, ends with NDINEIN→
4D
"Oh no!," in comics (3)
Starts with A, ends with KACK→
5D
Certain possessive pronoun (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHERS→
6D
With all judges present (6)
Starts with E, ends with CENBANC→
7D
Grilled cornmeal cake (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAREPA→
8D
"haha" (3)
Starts with L, ends with LLOL→
9D
"Black Jeopardy!" show, in brief (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSNL→
10D
Nobel, for one (5)
Starts with A, ends with DAWARD→
11D
Bold accessory for a suit (8)
Starts with P, ends with EPOWERTIE→
12D
Sincere (7)
Starts with E, ends with TEARNEST→
13D
Back off (from) (7)
Starts with S, ends with YSHYAWAY→
18D
Day for hunting (6)
Starts with E, ends with REASTER→
22D
"The Bear" actress Edebiri (3)
Starts with A, ends with OAYO→
24D
Clear up, as a windshield (5)
Starts with D, ends with GDEFOG→
26D
Snoopy (4)
Starts with N, ends with YNOSY→
27D
Savory rice porridge (6)
Starts with C, ends with ECONGEE→
29D
Words of concurrence (6)
Starts with I, ends with OIDOTOO→
33D
"___ 'nuff!" (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSHO→
34D
Almost there (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECLOSE→
35D
Cynophilist (8)
Starts with D, ends with RDOGLOVER→
36D
Purple boba choice (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTARO→
37D
Travel option that serves 46 states (6)
Starts with A, ends with KAMTRAK→
38D
Secrecy (7)
Starts with S, ends with HSTEALTH→
39D
Virus of sorts (7)
Starts with M, ends with EMALWARE→
43D
Chain email abbr. (3)
Starts with F, ends with DFWD→
44D
Biblical collection of 150 poems (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPSALMS→
45D
Kitchen grinder (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPESTLE→
46D
Kutcher of "That '70s Show" (6)
Starts with A, ends with NASHTON→
47D
"Later" (6)
Starts with S, ends with USEEYOU→
49D
Clear, as a whiteboard (5)
Starts with E, ends with EERASE→
50D
Equivalent of a 1.3 G.P.A., say (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDPLUS→
54D
Small bouquet (4)
Starts with P, ends with YPOSY→
57D
Hawaiian pizza topping (3)
Starts with H, ends with MHAM→
58D
Lilly of pharmaceuticals (3)
Starts with E, ends with IELI→
59D
Dr. Seuss's Sam-___ (3)
Starts with I, ends with MIAM→
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 7, 2026?+
76 clues: 39 Across and 37 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Adrianne Baik and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Actress Pinkett Smith of "Girls Trip" (JADA); Gets better (HEALS); "Great" animals (APES).
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.
