NYT Crossword hints and answer for March 9, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across37
Down37
ConstructorChristina Iverson and Andrea Carla Michaels
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
Constellation word before Major or Minor (4)
Starts with U, ends with AURSA→
5A
Something to blow off or let off (5)
Starts with S, ends with MSTEAM→
10A
"So-o-o cute!" (3)
Starts with A, ends with WAWW→
13A
Western defense grp. (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONATO→
14A
"I ___ been a contender ..." (6)
Starts with C, ends with ACOULDA→
15A
Lead-in to natal or nuptial (3)
Starts with P, ends with EPRE→
16A
*Outdoor sport with sticks (1979, 1984) (11)
Starts with F, ends with YFIELDHOCKEY→
18A
Gentle touch (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPAT→
19A
Letters for a mind reader (3)
Starts with E, ends with PESP→
20A
Grunt from a pigpen (4)
Starts with O, ends with KOINK→
21A
Athlete's representative (5)
Starts with A, ends with TAGENT→
23A
Take weapons away from (6)
Starts with D, ends with MDISARM→
25A
*Period for Fred, Wilma and Pebbles (2016, 2023) (8)
Starts with S, ends with ESTONEAGE→
28A
More in-your-business (6)
Starts with N, ends with RNOSIER→
30A
Encourages to buy a more expensive model, say (7)
Starts with U, ends with SUPSELLS→
31A
Ernest Hemingway's "To Have and Have ___" (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNOT→
32A
Monster of folk tales (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOGRE→
34A
Goal for collectors (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSET→
35A
*Temporary guest from a canine shelter (1988, 1991) (9)
Starts with F, ends with GFOSTERDOG→
39A
Oscars airer (3)
Starts with A, ends with CABC→
42A
"Pencils down!" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETIME→
43A
Double-decker, e.g. (3)
Starts with B, ends with SBUS→
45A
Strings along (7)
Starts with L, ends with NLEADSON→
48A
Some steaks (6)
Starts with T, ends with STBONES→
51A
*Popular fruit dessert (2001) (8)
Starts with B, ends with EBERRYPIE→
53A
Rebel as a group (6)
Starts with R, ends with PRISEUP→
55A
Zimbalist Jr. of "77 Sunset Strip" (5)
Starts with E, ends with MEFREM→
56A
Plastic Ono Band's "Happy ___ (War Is Over)" (4)
Starts with X, ends with SXMAS→
58A
Network for "The Wire" and "Euphoria" (3)
Starts with H, ends with OHBO→
59A
Birthplace of the bossa nova, informally (3)
Starts with R, ends with ORIO→
60A
Academy Award category ... or a hint to the starts of the answers to the starred clues (11)
Starts with B, ends with SBESTACTRESS→
64A
Vietnamese holiday with a palindromic name (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTET→
65A
Baltimore baseball pro (6)
Starts with O, ends with EORIOLE→
66A
Colorful body part ... or a colorful flower (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIRIS→
67A
"___ gratia artis" (classic MGM motto) (3)
Starts with A, ends with SARS→
68A
Chicken noodle scoop (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELADLE→
69A
Heredity unit (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGENE→
Down
1D
Like expired parking meters (5)
Starts with U, ends with DUNFED→
2D
___ Bran (6)
Starts with R, ends with NRAISIN→
3D
Bobby, Peter or Greg, to Carol Brady (7)
Starts with S, ends with NSTEPSON→
4D
Internet pioneer (3)
Starts with A, ends with LAOL→
5D
"Coming ___ to a theater near you" (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSOON→
6D
Partner of nips (5)
Starts with T, ends with STUCKS→
7D
Relative of a reindeer (3)
Starts with E, ends with KELK→
8D
Suffix with lemon or orange (3)
Starts with A, ends with EADE→
9D
Ancient Central American pyramid builders (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMAYANS→
10D
They go to a higher court (7)
Starts with A, ends with SAPPEALS→
11D
Round up, as cattle (7)
Starts with W, ends with EWRANGLE→
12D
Receiving the most rain (7)
Starts with W, ends with TWETTEST→
14D
Grandfather clock sound (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECHIME→
17D
Piquant triangular chip (6)
Starts with D, ends with ODORITO→
22D
"Gosh!" (3)
Starts with G, ends with EGEE→
24D
Starting on (4)
Starts with A, ends with FASOF→
26D
Small castle tower (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTURRET→
27D
Guest opinion column (4)
Starts with O, ends with DOPED→
29D
Corkscrew-shaped pasta (6)
Starts with R, ends with IROTINI→
33D
Opal or ruby (3)
Starts with G, ends with MGEM→
36D
"Enough already!" (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSTOP→
37D
Double-reed woodwind player (6)
Starts with O, ends with TOBOIST→
38D
Biceps, boastfully (4)
Starts with G, ends with SGUNS→
39D
Canadian province north of Montana (7)
Starts with A, ends with AALBERTA→
40D
More brawny (7)
Starts with B, ends with RBEEFIER→
41D
Bugs Bunny's supply (7)
Starts with C, ends with SCARROTS→
44D
"Now, you listen to me ..." (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESEEHERE→
46D
Beats by ___ (headphone brand) (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDRE→
47D
Word with sex or status (6)
Starts with S, ends with LSYMBOL→
49D
Support for a knee or a neck (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBRACE→
50D
Enters a game at the half, say (6)
Starts with S, ends with NSUBSIN→
52D
Praise enthusiastically (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEXTOL→
54D
Group assisting a sheriff (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPOSSE→
57D
Like a bull or buck (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMALE→
61D
Memorable period (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
62D
Caesar of old comedy (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSID→
63D
18-wheeler (3)
Starts with R, ends with GRIG→
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 9, 2026?+
74 clues: 37 Across and 37 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Christina Iverson and Andrea Carla Michaels and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Constellation word before Major or Minor (URSA); Something to blow off or let off (STEAM); "So-o-o cute!" (AWW).
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.
