NYT Crossword hints and answer for March 18, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues81
Across37
Down44
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
Young grasshopper (5)
Starts with N, ends with HNYMPH→
6A
Dibs, e.g. (5)
Starts with C, ends with MCLAIM→
11A
Org. that offers one "L" of a ride? (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACTA→
14A
___ a la brasa (Peruvian chicken dish) (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPOLLO→
15A
Game to play when the spirit moves you? (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOUIJA→
16A
Minnesota's state bird (4)
Starts with L, ends with NLOON→
17A
*Restaurant chain named after a Rolling Stones song (11)
Starts with R, ends with YRUBYTUESDAY→
19A
Big name in cosmetics (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAVON→
20A
Make like a hot dog (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPANT→
21A
"X-Men" villain who can manipulate metals (7)
Starts with M, ends with OMAGNETO→
23A
Summer camp craft (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECANOE→
26A
*Without malice (8)
Starts with B, ends with YBENIGNLY→
28A
Numbers on botellas de vino (4)
Starts with A, ends with SANOS→
30A
Asks oneself "What if?" (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMUSES→
31A
Silk Road locale, largely (4)
Starts with A, ends with AASIA→
32A
Missed, as a chance (4)
Starts with B, ends with WBLEW→
33A
Music genre that partly grew out of indie rock (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEMO→
34A
*"What a great idea!" (16)
Starts with T, ends with LTHATDBEWONDERFUL→
40A
Page for learning more, for short (3)
Starts with F, ends with QFAQ→
41A
You might take a spin in this (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTUTU→
42A
Kentucky ___, annual horse race since 1875 (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOAKS→
43A
Oddity (5)
Starts with Q, ends with KQUIRK→
46A
Investment option, informally (4)
Starts with R, ends with HROTH→
47A
Microwaved (5)
Starts with N, ends with DNUKED→
48A
*Having a perfect record (8)
Starts with U, ends with NUNBEATEN→
50A
Exhibits model behavior? (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPOSES→
51A
It covers a fair amount of ground without moving (7)
Starts with A, ends with GAREARUG→
52A
Musical instrument in the Guinness logo (4)
Starts with H, ends with PHARP→
54A
Classic wood for boatbuilding (4)
Starts with T, ends with KTEAK→
55A
*Similac or Enfamil (11)
Starts with B, ends with ABABYFORMULA→
61A
West Coast N.F.L. team (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRAMS→
62A
Save on wedding invitations, in a way (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELOPE→
63A
Got in a row? (5)
Starts with O, ends with DOARED→
64A
Publishing gatekeepers, in brief (3)
Starts with E, ends with SEDS→
65A
Extend, as a membership (5)
Starts with R, ends with WRENEW→
66A
Down
1D
"Morning Edition" airer (3)
Starts with N, ends with RNPR→
2D
Gender-neutral pronoun (3)
Starts with Y, ends with UYOU→
3D
Org. associated with a museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. (3)
Starts with M, ends with BMLB→
4D
Practice, as a trade (3)
Starts with P, ends with YPLY→
5D
Meal cooked in simmering broth (6)
Starts with H, ends with THOTPOT→
6D
Either brother who wrote 1996's "Fargo" (4)
Starts with C, ends with NCOEN→
7D
What Dante's second circle of hell represents (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLUST→
8D
Humanitarian support (3)
Starts with A, ends with DAID→
9D
Pulitzer-winning "Fat Ham" playwright (6)
Starts with I, ends with SIJAMES→
10D
Like many ruins in Belize (5)
Starts with M, ends with NMAYAN→
11D
Casting groups? (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCOVENS→
12D
Play a bit of horn, say (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETOOTLE→
16D
Indulgently lazy (10)
Starts with L, ends with SLANGUOROUS→
18D
Country known for luxury tourism, in brief (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUAE→
22D
"I wanna have that!" (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGIMME→
23D
Bank robber's bagful (4)
Starts with C, ends with HCASH→
24D
Puccini's "O mio babbino caro," e.g. (4)
Starts with A, ends with AARIA→
25D
They can't abide messes (10)
Starts with N, ends with SNEATFREAKS→
26D
Take one's leave (6)
Starts with B, ends with TBOWOUT→
27D
28D
Renaissance faire tipple (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
29D
Discoverer of the principle behind F=ma (6)
Starts with N, ends with NNEWTON→
32D
Certain chip flavoring, informally (3)
Starts with B, ends with QBBQ→
33D
Student's email address ender (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEDU→
35D
Westernmost African capital (5)
Starts with D, ends with RDAKAR→
36D
___ degree (3)
Starts with N, ends with HNTH→
38D
Luau instruments, informally (4)
Starts with U, ends with SUKES→
39D
It may be taken at the start of a trip (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLSD→
43D
Deux + deux (6)
Starts with Q, ends with EQUATRE→
44D
Email sorting option (6)
Starts with U, ends with DUNREAD→
45D
Skyscraper's skeleton, often (6)
Starts with I, ends with SIBEAMS→
46D
Lavishly entertain (6)
Starts with R, ends with EREGALE→
47D
"Sure thing!" (6)
Starts with N, ends with BNOPROB→
49D
Modern ending with You (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTUBER→
50D
In favor of (3)
Starts with P, ends with OPRO→
52D
Fanfare (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHYPE→
53D
Three or four, say (4)
Starts with A, ends with WAFEW→
56D
"___ voyage!" (3)
Starts with B, ends with NBON→
57D
Month after avril (3)
Starts with M, ends with IMAI→
58D
Item in a museum of antiquities (3)
Starts with U, ends with NURN→
59D
That's the kicker! (3)
Starts with L, ends with GLEG→
60D
Kerfuffle (3)
Starts with A, ends with OADO→
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 18, 2026?+
81 clues: 37 Across and 44 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Adam Vincent and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Young grasshopper (NYMPH); Dibs, e.g. (CLAIM); Org. that offers one "L" of a ride? (CTA).
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.
