NYT Crossword hints and answer for July 20, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
ConstructorEric Rollfing
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
Scarecrow stuffing (5)
Starts with S, ends with WSTRAW→
6A
Ralph who ran for president four times (5)
Starts with N, ends with RNADER→
11A
Some HP products (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPCS→
15A
Top-tier group (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELITE→
16A
Tuna variety often used in sashimi (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAHI→
17A
On/off device (11)
Starts with L, ends with HLIGHTSWITCH→
19A
Empty space between things (3)
Starts with G, ends with PGAP→
20A
Something at either end of a hammock, often (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETREE→
21A
Brain tests, for short (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEEGS→
22A
"10 ___ or less" (sign at checkout) (5)
Starts with I, ends with SITEMS→
24A
Golf club for teeing off (6)
Starts with D, ends with RDRIVER→
26A
Small orchard (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGROVE→
27A
One with Q or Z is worth 10 points (12)
Starts with S, ends with ESCRABBLETILE→
31A
Audio genre designed to trigger tingling, for short (4)
Starts with A, ends with RASMR→
33A
Regret (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERUE→
34A
Pursue (4)
Starts with S, ends with KSEEK→
35A
Young Yorkie, e.g. (3)
Starts with P, ends with PPUP→
36A
Better halves (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSPOUSES→
40A
Blue state? (3)
Starts with W, ends with EWOE→
41A
GPS guesses (4)
Starts with E, ends with SETAS→
43A
April 15 deadline org. (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIRS→
44A
The last "A" in N.C.A.A.: Abbr. (4)
Starts with A, ends with NASSN→
46A
Cause of some rescreenings in an airport (12)
Starts with P, ends with EPOCKETCHANGE→
50A
Like many English bogs (5)
Starts with P, ends with YPEATY→
51A
Begin to grow choppers (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETEETHE→
54A
Measure around the middle (5)
Starts with G, ends with HGIRTH→
55A
Norse god of thunder (4)
Starts with T, ends with RTHOR→
57A
Agricultural locale (4)
Starts with F, ends with MFARM→
59A
Chicken ___ king (3)
Starts with A, ends with AALA→
60A
"My sympathies" … or what could be said of 17-, 27- and 46-Across (11)
Starts with I, ends with UIFEELFORYOU→
63A
Rapper Tone ___ (3)
Starts with L, ends with CLOC→
64A
Reef material (5)
Starts with C, ends with LCORAL→
65A
Winning Monopoly player's collection (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDEEDS→
66A
Had dinner, say (3)
Starts with A, ends with EATE→
67A
Transmits (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSENDS→
68A
Hockey feints (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDEKES→
Down
1D
Add some seasoning to (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSALT→
2D
Car in "Thelma & Louise," informally (5)
Starts with T, ends with DTBIRD→
3D
Wild party (5)
Starts with R, ends with RRAGER→
4D
Faith no more? (7)
Starts with A, ends with MATHEISM→
5D
More than damp (3)
Starts with W, ends with TWET→
6D
Big name in baseball caps (6)
Starts with N, ends with ANEWERA→
7D
Sacha Baron Cohen persona (4)
Starts with A, ends with GALIG→
8D
Counterpart of dahs, in Morse code (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDITS→
9D
And more like that: Abbr. (3)
Starts with E, ends with CETC→
10D
Put back on the payroll (6)
Starts with R, ends with EREHIRE→
11D
What search engine optimization hopes to increase (9)
Starts with P, ends with SPAGEVIEWS→
12D
Creature that blends into its surroundings (9)
Starts with C, ends with NCHAMELEON→
13D
Drinks daintily (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSIPS→
18D
Prognosticator (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSEER→
23D
Young ’uns (4)
Starts with T, ends with STOTS→
25D
Bygone staples of home theaters, informally (4)
Starts with V, ends with SVCRS→
26D
Utter delight (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGLEE→
28D
Item for a painter or hairstylist (5)
Starts with B, ends with HBRUSH→
29D
Vehicle to and from school (3)
Starts with B, ends with SBUS→
30D
Barely get, with "out" (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEKE→
31D
Someone who's not thinking may be on this (9)
Starts with A, ends with TAUTOPILOT→
32D
U.S./Soviet competition of the 1950s-’60s (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESPACERACE→
35D
Get-up-and-go (3)
Starts with P, ends with PPEP→
37D
"It's a shame, really!" (4)
Starts with P, ends with YPITY→
38D
Monster of Tolkiendom (3)
Starts with O, ends with CORC→
39D
Very wise (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESAGE→
42D
32-card card game (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSKAT→
45D
Liberate (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESETFREE→
47D
Important consideration for A.I. programmers (6)
Starts with E, ends with SETHICS→
48D
Bikini and others (6)
Starts with A, ends with SATOLLS→
49D
Spongy ball material (4)
Starts with N, ends with FNERF→
52D
"Frida" star Salma (5)
Starts with H, ends with KHAYEK→
53D
Slowly chip away at (5)
Starts with E, ends with EERODE→
54D
Fancy party (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGALA→
55D
Gull relative (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTERN→
56D
Lettuce unit (4)
Starts with H, ends with DHEAD→
58D
"No ___, no fuss!" (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMUSS→
61D
Opponent (3)
Starts with F, ends with EFOE→
62D
Unfamiliar (3)
Starts with O, ends with DODD→
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 20, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Eric Rollfing and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Scarecrow stuffing (STRAW); Ralph who ran for president four times (NADER); Some HP products (PCS).
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.
