NYT Crossword hints and answer for March 19, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across36
Down38
ConstructorJohn Kugelman
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
Exploiting an I.R.S. loophole, e.g. (8)
Starts with T, ends with ETAXDODGE→
9A
Forensic analyst's workspace (6)
Starts with D, ends with BDNALAB→
15A
Like the national dish tavë kosi (baked lamb with yogurt sauce) (8)
Starts with A, ends with NALBANIAN→
16A
Moon that's a neighbor of Ganymede and Io (6)
Starts with E, ends with AEUROPA→
17A
A boatload (8)
Starts with F, ends with SFOODLESS→
18A
How Jean Valjean repeatedly breaks out in "Les Misérables" (6)
Starts with I, ends with GINSONG→
19A
Where to find the towns Bigfoot and Tarzan (5)
Starts with T, ends with STEXAS→
20A
The o's in xoxo, symbolically (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHUGS→
22A
Scratches (out) (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEKES→
23A
Cards in a wallet or purse, informally (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIDS→
25A
Resident of Muscat (7)
Starts with R, ends with AROMANIA→
27A
Clothes that are ready to be thrown away (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRAGS→
30A
Mimicked (4)
Starts with A, ends with DAPED→
32A
Online gamer's bane (3)
Starts with L, ends with GLAG→
33A
Like some flaws (7)
Starts with I, ends with LIFATALL→
39A
"Decidedly not" (3)
Starts with N, ends with YNAY→
40A
Homophone of 39-Across (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENEE→
42A
___ Lasso, fictional A.F.C. Richmond coach (3)
Starts with T, ends with DTED→
43A
Big Bad Wolf's disguise (7)
Starts with G, ends with AGRANDMA→
45A
___ badge (7)
Starts with E, ends with AEMERITA→
47A
Opposite of paleo- (3)
Starts with N, ends with ONEO→
48A
Voice of the modern age (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISIRI→
50A
Site for indie designers (4)
Starts with E, ends with YETSY→
51A
Crooner Mel (7)
Starts with S, ends with DSTORMED→
53A
Beginning of the spelling of "Hera" (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
55A
U-___ (German subway) (4)
Starts with B, ends with NBAHN→
56A
It has Earth's highest and lowest points (4)
Starts with A, ends with AASIA→
58A
N.C.A.A.'s ___ Eight (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELITE→
62A
Certain fatty acids, informally (6)
Starts with O, ends with SOMEGAS→
64A
66A
Country singer Lee Ann (6)
Starts with W, ends with KWOMACK→
67A
At peak pique (8)
Starts with C, ends with TCROSSEST→
68A
Gaelic gals (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLASSES→
69A
Locations for some posers (8)
Starts with Y, ends with SYOGAMATS→
Down
1D
First president to sit in the Oval Office (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTAFT→
2D
It's vera soothing! (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALOE→
3D
Halo console (4)
Starts with X, ends with XXBOX→
4D
Jean Arp, e.g. (7)
Starts with D, ends with TDADAIST→
5D
Tripping, in a way (5)
Starts with O, ends with DONLSD→
6D
German "the" (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDIE→
7D
Deep cut (4)
Starts with G, ends with HGASH→
8D
Lock in, so to speak (6)
Starts with E, ends with EENSURE→
9D
Thomas Jefferson's belief (5)
Starts with D, ends with MDEISM→
10D
Part of an order (3)
Starts with N, ends with NNUN→
11D
Ordnance depot (7)
Starts with A, ends with LARSENAL→
12D
"Hey, no argument here" (10)
Starts with L, ends with TLOOKIGETIT→
13D
Nighttime woe (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAPNEA→
14D
Luggage (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBAGS→
21D
Master class? (7)
Starts with G, ends with RGODTIER→
24D
Setting for Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" (5)
Starts with S, ends with MSALEM→
26D
Analogous (5)
Starts with A, ends with EALIKE→
27D
Word with napkin or nose (4)
Starts with R, ends with GRING→
28D
Miles away (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAFAR→
29D
Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" and Diana Ross's "I'm Coming Out," to name two (10)
Starts with G, ends with SGAYANTHEMS→
31D
Tickles (7)
Starts with P, ends with SPLEASES→
34D
Choice words (5)
Starts with A, ends with RANDOR→
36D
Actor Hammer (5)
Starts with A, ends with EARMIE→
37D
Lepidopterists' needs (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNETS→
38D
Operation Neptune, familiarly (4)
Starts with D, ends with YDDAY→
44D
Electric sign filler (7)
Starts with N, ends with SNEONGAS→
46D
Showing things as they are (7)
Starts with R, ends with MREALISM→
49D
Utter foolishness (6)
Starts with I, ends with YIDIOCY→
51D
Nation whose name sounds like a plea for seconds (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASAMOA→
52D
Catchers' wear (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMASKS→
54D
___ Virtue, three-time gold medalist ice dancer (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATESSA→
55D
Word after finger or poke (4)
Starts with B, ends with LBOWL→
57D
Do for Jimi Hendrix (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAFRO→
59D
"Here's an ___ …" (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIDEA→
60D
Final, e.g. (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTEST→
61D
Contractors' figs. (4)
Starts with E, ends with SESTS→
63D
Of first rank (3)
Starts with A, ends with EACE→
65D
Noted San Francisco weather phenomenon (3)
Starts with F, ends with GFOG→
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 19, 2026?+
74 clues: 36 Across and 38 Down. The puzzle was constructed by John Kugelman and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Exploiting an I.R.S. loophole, e.g. (TAXDODGE); Forensic analyst's workspace (DNALAB); Like the national dish tavë kosi (baked lamb with yogurt sauce) (ALBANIAN).
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.
