NYT Crossword hints and answer for July 28, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across36
Down38
ConstructorAdam Vincent
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
Insolence (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSASS→
5A
Scott ___, author of "Island of the Blue Dolphins" (5)
Starts with O, ends with LODELL→
10A
Be in need of ibuprofen, say (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACHE→
14A
Word with cap or socks (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKNEE→
15A
Diet that eschews processed food (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPALEO→
16A
In a minute (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSOON→
17A
With 58-Across, dad-joke response to the answers for each of this puzzle's starred clues (10)
Starts with I, ends with GITSNOTHING→
19A
Massage gun target (4)
Starts with K, ends with TKNOT→
20A
Wyoming mountain range (6)
Starts with T, ends with STETONS→
21A
"Out with ya now!" (3)
Starts with G, ends with TGIT→
23A
Tax pro (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACPA→
24A
Primer mes del año (5)
Starts with E, ends with OENERO→
25A
*Essential oil with a musky scent (9)
Starts with P, ends with IPATCHOULI→
28A
Myrmecology subject (3)
Starts with A, ends with TANT→
29A
Bonfire remains (3)
Starts with A, ends with HASH→
30A
Concerning hearing (5)
Starts with A, ends with LAURAL→
31A
*Home of the lowest town-level ZIP code in the continental U.S. (01001) (13)
Starts with M, ends with SMASSACHUSETTS→
36A
Ruminant's mouthful (3)
Starts with C, ends with DCUD→
37A
Secondary social media account (3)
Starts with A, ends with TALT→
38A
*"Until next time!" (13)
Starts with C, ends with RCATCHYOULATER→
45A
United (5)
Starts with A, ends with EASONE→
47A
Preposition in "The Star-Spangled Banner" (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROER→
48A
Palindromic kitchen brand (3)
Starts with O, ends with OOXO→
49A
*Academy Award, e.g. (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESTATUETTE→
51A
___ Taco (ice cream treat) (5)
Starts with C, ends with OCHOCO→
53A
The "S" of macOS: Abbr. (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSYS→
55A
Bubble tea bubbles (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPEARLS→
56A
Some first responders, for short (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEMTS→
58A
See 17-Across (10)
Starts with T, ends with TTOSNEEZEAT→
61A
Director Johnson of the "Knives Out" movies (4)
Starts with R, ends with NRIAN→
62A
Once more (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAGAIN→
63A
Spot to huddle under during a rainstorm (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEAVE→
64A
Rat (on) (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTELL→
65A
Packs (down), as tobacco in a pipe (5)
Starts with T, ends with STAMPS→
66A
Iditarod conveyance (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSLED→
Down
1D
Sporting group at a cold-weather school (7)
Starts with S, ends with MSKITEAM→
2D
Insect's feeler (7)
Starts with A, ends with AANTENNA→
3D
Six-line poems (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSESTETS→
4D
Honorific for many Spanish teachers (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSENOR→
5D
Finishes deliberating (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOPTS→
6D
"Well, lah-di-___!" (3)
Starts with D, ends with HDAH→
7D
Name that's an anagram of an untruth (3)
Starts with E, ends with IELI→
8D
Units in horse racing (7)
Starts with L, ends with SLENGTHS→
9D
Skill needed to solve a sudoku puzzle (5)
Starts with L, ends with CLOGIC→
11D
Plays the yes-man (7)
Starts with C, ends with SCONCURS→
12D
Muss and fuss (6)
Starts with H, ends with AHOOPLA→
13D
Involve (6)
Starts with E, ends with LENTAIL→
18D
1969 "bed-in" participant (3)
Starts with O, ends with OONO→
22D
"___ be the day!" (6)
Starts with T, ends with LTHATLL→
25D
Expression of disgust that sounds like a family member (3)
Starts with P, ends with HPAH→
26D
Sun Devils' sch. (3)
Starts with A, ends with UASU→
27D
"Straight ___ Compton" (1989 N.W.A album) (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOUTTA→
32D
Triflingly little (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSCANT→
33D
Artistic visionary (6)
Starts with A, ends with RAUTEUR→
34D
Org. mentioned in many zombie movies (3)
Starts with C, ends with CCDC→
35D
Evian, Perrier or Badoit (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEAU→
38D
Along a gulf, say (7)
Starts with C, ends with LCOASTAL→
39D
Sweaty stretching session (7)
Starts with H, ends with AHOTYOGA→
40D
Up to this point (3)
Starts with Y, ends with TYET→
41D
Mined find (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
42D
"Oof, painfully true" (7)
Starts with T, ends with LTOOREAL→
43D
Part of a country located entirely within another country (7)
Starts with E, ends with EEXCLAVE→
44D
Landed for the night (7)
Starts with R, ends with DROOSTED→
45D
Claim to be true (6)
Starts with A, ends with TASSERT→
46D
Hinder (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESTYMIE→
50D
Bother, as one's conscience (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEATAT→
51D
Letter that can take a cedilla (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECEE→
52D
Puts through a harsh initiation (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHAZES→
55D
Items sometimes chained to a desk (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPENS→
57D
Its alums include Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, in brief (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSNL→
59D
Rock singer ___ Fender (3)
Starts with S, ends with MSAM→
60D
Alcoholic equivalent of a fun-size candy bar (3)
Starts with N, ends with PNIP→
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 28, 2026?+
74 clues: 36 Across and 38 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Adam Vincent and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Insolence (SASS); Scott ___, author of "Island of the Blue Dolphins" (ODELL); Be in need of ibuprofen, say (ACHE).
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.
