NYT Crossword hints and answer for July 18, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues70
Across36
Down34
ConstructorRyan Judge
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
Unite, with "up" (4)
Starts with T, ends with MTEAM→
5A
Many an extra in the "Lord of the Rings" movies (3)
Starts with E, ends with FELF→
8A
Like fondue, traditionally (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSWISS→
13A
Nairobi-based collection of NGOs (5)
Starts with O, ends with MOXFAM→
15A
Restriction on how much one can serve (9)
Starts with T, ends with TTERMLIMIT→
17A
Conductor's reference (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCORE→
18A
Opportunity to compare notes, perhaps (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESTUDYDATE→
19A
Very traditional sort (6)
Starts with P, ends with TPURIST→
21A
Khloe, Kim or Kourtney, familiarly (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSIS→
22A
Jennifer who won a Pulitzer for "A Visit From the Goon Squad" (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEGAN→
23A
Concerning (4)
Starts with A, ends with OASTO→
24A
Weight (4)
Starts with H, ends with THEFT→
26A
Orange video game character who appears in "Wreck-It Ralph" (5)
Starts with Q, ends with TQBERT→
27A
Retailer with mountains in its logo (3)
Starts with R, ends with IREI→
28A
Persuade, as on a course of action (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSELL→
30A
Smartphone feature that debuted worldwide in 2011 (13)
Starts with E, ends with DEMOJIKEYBOARD→
35A
Kind of acid partly responsible for sourdough's tang (6)
Starts with L, ends with CLACTIC→
37A
"Sorry, that's way above my pay grade" (13)
Starts with I, ends with EIJUSTWORKHERE→
40A
Black ___ (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOPS→
41A
Line holders (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRODS→
42A
Brilliant example (3)
Starts with G, ends with MGEM→
43A
Digs up by the roots (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGRUBS→
46A
Cry at the end of a countdown (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETIME→
47A
Dead center? (4)
Starts with T, ends with BTOMB→
48A
Song whose titular subject has a "dark brown voice" (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALOLA→
50A
One side of many a transaction (6)
Starts with D, ends with RDEALER→
52A
Backs up on its own, say (9)
Starts with A, ends with SAUTOSAVES→
55A
Titular animated dog of children's TV (5)
Starts with B, ends with YBLUEY→
56A
Go down swinging, perhaps (9)
Starts with S, ends with TSTRIKEOUT→
57A
What might add a bit of flavor to a salsa? (5)
Starts with B, ends with OBONGO→
58A
Company bought by Tempur-Pedic in 2012 (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSEALY→
59A
W.W. II-era occupation for baseball's Moe Berg, following his playing career (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSPY→
Down
2D
"Um ... what?!" (8)
Starts with E, ends with EEXCUSEME→
3D
With even stronger reasoning, in law (9)
Starts with A, ends with IAFORTIORI→
4D
Super man? (5)
Starts with M, ends with OMARIO→
5D
Quite a few characters in 2025's "Elio," for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with SETS→
6D
Unleashes (7)
Starts with L, ends with YLETSFLY→
7D
Results of one's labors, so to speak (5)
Starts with F, ends with TFRUIT→
8D
Shrewd (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSLY→
9D
You might give this to someone you want to avoid (9)
Starts with W, ends with HWIDEBERTH→
10D
Outward appearance (5)
Starts with I, ends with EIMAGE→
11D
Instrument that's held at about a 45-degree angle from the player's body (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSITAR→
12D
Inner tube? (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSTENT→
14D
"Bonjour, ___ amis!" (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMES→
16D
Figures listed on Zocdoc, for short (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMDS→
20D
Gustav Klimt masterpiece (7)
Starts with T, ends with STHEKISS→
25D
Choose (5)
Starts with E, ends with TELECT→
26D
Charlatans (6)
Starts with Q, ends with SQUACKS→
28D
Exercises with a "butterfly" variation, in which the soles of one's feet are pressed together (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSITUPS→
29D
Overtook? (7)
Starts with H, ends with DHOARDED→
31D
Cosmetic additive that comes from the Southwest (9)
Starts with J, ends with LJOJOBAOIL→
32D
Flowering period (5)
Starts with B, ends with MBLOOM→
33D
Actor who plays the title role on TV's "Andor" (9)
Starts with D, ends with ADIEGOLUNA→
36D
Classic Easter treat (8)
Starts with C, ends with GCREMEEGG→
38D
Report (7)
Starts with W, ends with PWRITEUP→
39D
Items frozen in cryopreservation (7)
Starts with E, ends with SEMBRYOS→
43D
Flute, for one (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGLASS→
45D
Prefix with marathon (5)
Starts with U, ends with AULTRA→
46D
Bygone recorders (5)
Starts with T, ends with STIVOS→
47D
Grabber (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTALON→
49D
Race of supernatural spirits (3)
Starts with F, ends with EFAE→
51D
Fall back (3)
Starts with E, ends with BEBB→
53D
You might look up to this (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSKY→
54D
Unpleasant digs (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
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 July 18, 2026?+
70 clues: 36 Across and 34 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Ryan Judge and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Unite, with "up" (TEAM); Many an extra in the "Lord of the Rings" movies (ELF); Like fondue, traditionally (SWISS).
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.
