NYT Crossword hints and answer for March 16, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
ConstructorJamey Smith
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
"Throw me the ball, no one's covering me!" (6)
Starts with I, ends with NIMOPEN→
7A
Drone's sound (4)
Starts with W, ends with RWHIR→
11A
Cave-dwelling flier (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBAT→
14A
Galactic cloud (6)
Starts with N, ends with ANEBULA→
15A
Texas city that's home to Baylor University (4)
Starts with W, ends with OWACO→
16A
Broadcast (3)
Starts with A, ends with RAIR→
17A
*Forever (11)
Starts with A, ends with MADINFINITUM→
19A
Deer mother? (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDOE→
20A
Brad of 2025's "F1" (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPITT→
21A
"In case it's of interest ...," in brief (3)
Starts with F, ends with IFYI→
22A
Plenty of (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAMPLE→
24A
Bugle tune (4)
Starts with T, ends with STAPS→
25A
*One of a kind (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSUIGENERIS→
28A
Bronx-born congresswoman elected in 2018, familiarly (3)
Starts with A, ends with CAOC→
30A
"Great Red" feature of Jupiter (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSPOT→
31A
*Masterwork (10)
Starts with M, ends with SMAGNUMOPUS→
36A
Wide-eyed and eager (4)
Starts with A, ends with GAGOG→
40A
Go down to 0%, as a computer battery (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDIE→
41A
Allotment (7)
Starts with P, ends with NPORTION→
43A
"___ word?" (3)
Starts with A, ends with YANY→
44A
SoCal sch. whose teams are the Aztecs (4)
Starts with S, ends with USDSU→
46A
*After the event, as an analysis (10)
Starts with P, ends with MPOSTMORTEM→
48A
Ball-___ hammer (4)
Starts with P, ends with NPEEN→
50A
Teeny-tiny (3)
Starts with W, ends with EWEE→
51A
*Reciprocal exchange (10)
Starts with Q, ends with OQUIDPROQUO→
57A
Historian's focus (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPAST→
60A
"Me too," formally (5)
Starts with A, ends with IASDOI→
61A
One might end with "com" or "org" (3)
Starts with U, ends with LURL→
62A
Water, in Juárez (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAGUA→
63A
___ chi (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITAI→
64A
Stereotypical charmers ... or those charmed by the answers to the starred clues? (11)
Starts with L, ends with SLATINLOVERS→
68A
Before today (3)
Starts with A, ends with OAGO→
69A
Gem mined in Australia (4)
Starts with O, ends with LOPAL→
70A
Exact retribution for (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAVENGE→
71A
Sleep cycle inits. (3)
Starts with R, ends with MREM→
73A
Term of address for a nun (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSISTER→
Down
1D
Not suitable (5)
Starts with I, ends with TINAPT→
2D
Social ___ (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMEDIA→
3D
Locales for the late news? (9)
Starts with O, ends with SOBITPAGES→
4D
Kicks down the road, as a decision (7)
Starts with P, ends with NPUNTSON→
5D
Santa's little helper (3)
Starts with E, ends with FELF→
6D
Innocent sorts (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNAIFS→
7D
Hypothetical (one hopes!) global conflict, for short (5)
Starts with W, ends with IWWIII→
8D
Beanie or beret (3)
Starts with H, ends with THAT→
9D
Carefully monitored hosp. area (3)
Starts with I, ends with UICU→
10D
Italian cheese (6)
Starts with R, ends with OROMANO→
11D
Negative press for a celeb, say (5)
Starts with B, ends with RBADPR→
12D
Condiment with lots of garlic ... and vowels (5)
Starts with A, ends with IAIOLI→
13D
Family diagrams (5)
Starts with T, ends with STREES→
18D
Greenwich Village campus, in brief (3)
Starts with N, ends with UNYU→
23D
Like a book about writing a book, say (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMETA→
26D
Fighter pilot's garb (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGSUIT→
27D
___ salts (5)
Starts with E, ends with MEPSOM→
29D
Recipe unit (3)
Starts with C, ends with PCUP→
31D
Rx writers (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMDS→
32D
A helping hand (3)
Starts with A, ends with DAID→
33D
Sullen sort (5)
Starts with M, ends with RMOPER→
34D
City that's home to the University of Maine (5)
Starts with O, ends with OORONO→
35D
Six for a touchdown: Abbr. (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPTS→
37D
Staffer in a flight terminal (9)
Starts with G, ends with TGATEAGENT→
38D
"All for ___ and ___ for all!" (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
39D
Workout site (3)
Starts with G, ends with MGYM→
42D
"Pronto!" (3)
Starts with N, ends with WNOW→
45D
Fancy coif (4)
Starts with U, ends with OUPDO→
47D
Improves, as a bike path (7)
Starts with R, ends with SREPAVES→
49D
Literary afterthought (6)
Starts with E, ends with GEPILOG→
51D
Mideast nation ruled by the House of Thani (5)
Starts with Q, ends with RQATAR→
52D
Meter reading (5)
Starts with U, ends with EUSAGE→
53D
"Talk turkey" or "eat crow" (5)
Starts with I, ends with MIDIOM→
54D
Warm bed covering (5)
Starts with Q, ends with TQUILT→
55D
Still-life vessel (3)
Starts with U, ends with NURN→
56D
Earthen pots, from the Spanish (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOLLAS→
58D
Sudden increase (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESURGE→
59D
Weapon that stuns (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTASER→
65D
Tail-less primate (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAPE→
66D
Beachgoer's "souvenir" (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTAN→
67D
Prefix meaning "egg" (3)
Starts with O, ends with IOVI→
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 March 16, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Jamey Smith and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: "Throw me the ball, no one's covering me!" (IMOPEN); Drone's sound (WHIR); Cave-dwelling flier (BAT).
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.
