NYT Crossword hints and answer for July 26, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues136
Across65
Down71
TitleDown the Tubes
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
"Joanie Loves ___" ("Happy Days" spinoff) (6)
Starts with C, ends with ICHACHI→
7A
Peddles (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVENDS→
12A
Chain whose merch includes mulch (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLOWES→
17A
Encase in protection (6)
Starts with C, ends with NCOCOON→
18A
Something might disappear into it (7)
Starts with T, ends with RTHINAIR→
20A
Lacking sense (5)
Starts with I, ends with EINANE→
21A
Darlings (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCUTIES→
22A
Yoga style in which each movement is synchronized with a breath (7)
Starts with V, ends with AVINYASA→
24A
Whom this puzzle's subject must save! (13)
Starts with P, ends with HPRINCESSPEACH→
26A
Source of fries, informally (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSPUD→
28A
Nuggets of wisdom (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPEARLS→
33A
Pizza parlor purchase (3)
Starts with P, ends with EPIE→
34A
Hough of "Dancing With the Stars" fame (5)
Starts with D, ends with KDEREK→
38A
Green friend of this puzzle's subject (5)
Starts with Y, ends with IYOSHI→
42A
Elitist (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSNOOT→
43A
"___ be an honor" (3)
Starts with I, ends with DITD→
44A
Not say, say (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELIDE→
45A
"___ right!" (5)
Starts with T, ends with STHATS→
47A
Vehicle puller (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETOWROPE→
49A
Disqualifies (oneself) (7)
Starts with R, ends with SRECUSES→
52A
"Waaaah!" (5)
Starts with I, ends with DIMSAD→
54A
Union Army general who was victorious over Lee at the Battle of Gettysburg (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMEADE→
55A
Texter's caveat (3)
Starts with I, ends with OIMO→
56A
How a "miracle product" is said to work (9)
Starts with L, ends with CLIKEMAGIC→
59A
Host of the 2016 Olympics (3)
Starts with R, ends with ORIO→
60A
Old pros (4)
Starts with V, ends with SVETS→
62A
Primates' realm (6)
Starts with A, ends with MAPEDOM→
63A
Batman and Robin, e.g. (3)
Starts with D, ends with ODUO→
65A
Many a musical chord (5)
Starts with T, ends with DTRIAD→
69A
Total heat content of a thermodynamic system (8)
Starts with E, ends with YENTHALPY→
71A
Platform with a "Super" popular character, in brief? (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNES→
73A
"Kind of" (8)
Starts with I, ends with EINASENSE→
75A
Decorous (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSTAID→
76A
"Scrumptious!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with MYUM→
80A
Someone who might put you on a list (4)
Starts with D, ends with NDEAN→
81A
U.K. military branch (3)
Starts with R, ends with FRAF→
83A
Classic kids' toy weapon (9)
Starts with P, ends with NPOTATOGUN→
85A
Sleepover "comfies" (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPJS→
86A
Bialik of "The Big Bang Theory" (5)
Starts with M, ends with MMAYIM→
88A
Antagonist of this puzzle's subject (5)
Starts with W, ends with OWARIO→
89A
Shoe style with a small opening in the front (7)
Starts with P, ends with EPEEPTOE→
92A
Man whom Jesus raised from the dead in John 11 (7)
Starts with L, ends with SLAZARUS→
94A
Salmon and coral (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPINKS→
96A
Takes full advantage of (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMILKS→
97A
Dot follower (3)
Starts with C, ends with MCOM→
98A
"Beau ___" (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGESTE→
100A
___ Davis, actor and eulogist for Malcolm X (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOSSIE→
102A
Until now (5)
Starts with A, ends with TASYET→
103A
Big name in trucks (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRAM→
104A
Useful (6)
Starts with O, ends with POFHELP→
106A
Sportscaster Andrews (4)
Starts with E, ends with NERIN→
108A
Excessively uptight (4)
Starts with A, ends with LANAL→
110A
Enemy lair where 24-Across is held captive (13)
Starts with B, ends with EBOWSERSCASTLE→
118A
"To me, 'sexy' is a ___ with confidence": Allegra Versace (5)
Starts with W, ends with NWOMAN→
120A
Striking feature of Jessica Rabbit (7)
Starts with R, ends with RREDHAIR→
121A
Achieve (6)
Starts with A, ends with NATTAIN→
122A
Brother of this puzzle's subject (5)
Starts with L, ends with ILUIGI→
123A
Author and entrepreneur Huffington (7)
Starts with A, ends with AARIANNA→
124A
Virtual animal companion popularized in the 2000s (6)
Starts with N, ends with TNEOPET→
125A
Secret supply (5)
Starts with S, ends with HSTASH→
126A
Tabasco, for one (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESTATE→
127A
Highlight for a QB (6)
Starts with T, ends with STDPASS→
Down
1D
Cyrillic way to write "U.S.S.R." (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCCCP→
2D
Short hand? (4)
Starts with H, ends with RHOUR→
3D
When "One Day More" is sung in "Les Misérables" (4)
Starts with A, ends with IACTI→
4D
Collectible item from the box below (4)
Starts with C, ends with NCOIN→
5D
Fried cornbread concoctions (8)
Starts with H, ends with SHOECAKES→
6D
___ map (5)
Starts with I, ends with TINSET→
7D
Green transport from the box below (4)
Starts with V, ends with EVINE→
8D
Best-selling Irish solo musical artist (4)
Starts with E, ends with AENYA→
9D
Image Awards org. (5)
Starts with N, ends with PNAACP→
10D
Spills (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDISHES→
11D
Madrid Mrs. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASRA→
12D
Word before service or sync (3)
Starts with L, ends with PLIP→
14D
What this puzzle's subject uses to travel to a new location (8)
Starts with W, ends with EWARPPIPE→
15D
Like many primary bathrooms (7)
Starts with E, ends with EENSUITE→
16D
Like teams in March Madness (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSEEDED→
18D
Expensive Super Bowl purchase (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTVSPOT→
25D
___ lecithin (food additive) (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSOY→
29D
Raid target, at times (3)
Starts with A, ends with TANT→
31D
Let down (5)
Starts with L, ends with RLOWER→
32D
Sea connectors (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSTRAITS→
34D
Obtains (from) (7)
Starts with D, ends with SDERIVES→
35D
Gold or silver, but not bronze (7)
Starts with E, ends with TELEMENT→
36D
This might be stuffed inside a shell (7)
Starts with R, ends with ARICOTTA→
37D
Dot follower (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEDU→
39D
Recoiled (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSHIED→
40D
Jupiter ___, first African American poet published in North America (6)
Starts with H, ends with NHAMMON→
41D
Catchphrase of this puzzle's subject (11)
Starts with I, ends with OITSAMEMARIO→
48D
Scented (6)
Starts with O, ends with DODORED→
50D
Carrier that takes its name from the Book of Hosea (4)
Starts with E, ends with LELAL→
51D
___ cup (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSIPPY→
53D
Achieved (3)
Starts with D, ends with DDID→
57D
Excite (5)
Starts with K, ends with PKEYUP→
58D
Job for a stage assistant, maybe (5)
Starts with C, ends with GCUING→
61D
Australia's most popular wine (6)
Starts with S, ends with ZSHIRAZ→
64D
"Extra life" item from the box below (5)
Starts with O, ends with PONEUP→
66D
How a total dummkopf might handle something (7)
Starts with I, ends with YINEPTLY→
67D
In jest (7)
Starts with A, ends with EASAJOKE→
68D
Like New Jersey among all U.S. states, population-wise (7)
Starts with D, ends with TDENSEST→
70D
In the very recent past (7)
Starts with A, ends with OADAYAGO→
72D
Gown fabrics (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSATINS→
74D
___ Duncan, education secretary under Obama (4)
Starts with A, ends with EARNE→
77D
Razor blades? (3)
Starts with M, ends with WMOW→
79D
Cozy corners (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNOOKS→
82D
With 31-Down, power-up that lets this puzzle's subject throw flames (5)
Starts with F, ends with FFIREF→
84D
Alternative to "sparkling" (3)
Starts with T, ends with PTAP→
86D
Catchphrase of this puzzle's subject (8)
Starts with M, ends with AMAMMAMIA→
87D
With 30-Down, power-up that supersizes this puzzle's subject (4)
Starts with M, ends with HMUSH→
90D
Flowed (from) (8)
Starts with E, ends with DEMANATED→
91D
Some film noir figures, for short (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPIS→
92D
Give for a time (7)
Starts with L, ends with TLOANOUT→
93D
Business address abbr. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESTE→
95D
Popular GMC pickup (6)
Starts with S, ends with ASIERRA→
97D
Proceeds like congested traffic (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCRAWLS→
99D
Mount ___, highest peak in the Rockies (6)
Starts with E, ends with TELBERT→
101D
Mumbled stumbles (3)
Starts with E, ends with SERS→
105D
Daises (5)
Starts with P, ends with APODIA→
107D
"Sorry, my calendar's full" (5)
Starts with I, ends with TICANT→
109D
Falls behind (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLAGS→
111D
"?!?!?!?!" (4)
Starts with W, ends with TWHAT→
112D
Sensible (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESANE→
113D
___ für alle Mal (once and for all, in German) (3)
Starts with E, ends with NEIN→
114D
What a rest indicates ... or a word after rest (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSTOP→
115D
Small bite abroad (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATAPA→
116D
Makeup of a certain web (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLIES→
117D
Docs who really get in your face? (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENTS→
119D
Medical research ctr. (3)
Starts with N, ends with HNIH→
120D
Dorm leaders, in brief (3)
Starts with R, ends with SRAS→
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 26, 2026?+
136 clues: 65 Across and 71 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Kim Alswager and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: "Joanie Loves ___" ("Happy Days" spinoff) (CHACHI); Peddles (VENDS); Chain whose merch includes mulch (LOWES).
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.
