NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 15, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues70
Across35
Down35
ConstructorMaddy Ziegler
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
To the ___ (as much as possible) (4)
Starts with H, ends with THILT→
5A
Electrifying people, so to speak (9)
Starts with L, ends with SLIVEWIRES→
14A
Dog howling at night, maybe (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOMEN→
15A
Vintage bike feature (10)
Starts with B, ends with TBANANASEAT→
16A
Good name for a yoga instructor? (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMATT→
17A
Hairy get-up (10)
Starts with A, ends with EAPECOSTUME→
18A
Wych ___ (tree type) (3)
Starts with E, ends with MELM→
19A
Miss Doolittle of "Pygmalion" (5)
Starts with E, ends with AELIZA→
20A
Civil rights activist Williams, an associate of Martin Luther King Jr. (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHOSEA→
21A
Splits apart (7)
Starts with C, ends with SCLEAVES→
23A
Annual coll. basketball competition (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNIT→
25A
Class for some aspiring bilinguals, in brief (3)
Starts with E, ends with LESL→
27A
Play casually, say (5)
Starts with S, ends with MSTRUM→
29A
Like some kitchens (5)
Starts with E, ends with NEATIN→
30A
Harps on (8)
Starts with B, ends with SBELABORS→
33A
MacMurray of "Double Indemnity" (4)
Starts with F, ends with DFRED→
34A
Throw in at the end (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTAGON→
35A
Pulls off (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDOES→
37A
Jarring film transition to a new scene (8)
Starts with S, ends with TSMASHCUT→
40A
Give a hand? (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHAKE→
41A
Language of southern India (6)
Starts with T, ends with UTELUGU→
42A
Sierra, e.g. (3)
Starts with G, ends with CGMC→
45A
"Nasty!" (3)
Starts with E, ends with WEWW→
46A
Rainwater reservoir (7)
Starts with C, ends with NCISTERN→
47A
Duane ___ (New York-based pharmacy chain) (5)
Starts with R, ends with EREADE→
49A
Figures in "Puss in Boots" and "Hop-o'-My-Thumb" (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOGRES→
51A
Sickly-looking (3)
Starts with W, ends with NWAN→
52A
"I don't care either way" (10)
Starts with I, ends with UITSUPTOYOU→
54A
Magician's accessory (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECAPE→
55A
Use of a popular song to make a scene iconic, in film-speak (10)
Starts with N, ends with PNEEDLEDROP→
56A
"Your turn to speak" (4)
Starts with O, ends with ROVER→
57A
Difficult time for farmers (9)
Starts with D, ends with NDRYSEASON→
58A
Hot ___ (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMESS→
Down
1D
Big name in meal prep kits (8)
Starts with H, ends with FHOMECHEF→
2D
"Tell me!" (9)
Starts with I, ends with SIMALLEARS→
3D
Line of attack? (9)
Starts with L, ends with MLETMEATEM→
4D
Cause of a boom (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTNT→
5D
Material for the blue eyebrows on the mask of Tutankhamen, in brief (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLAPIS→
6D
Mother of Don Juan (4)
Starts with I, ends with ZINEZ→
7D
Here goes nothing! (9)
Starts with V, ends with TVACANTLOT→
8D
Brian of ambient music (3)
Starts with E, ends with OENO→
9D
Part of a bass in a jug band (7)
Starts with W, ends with BWASHTUB→
11D
Get new life out of (5)
Starts with R, ends with EREUSE→
12D
Eponym for a lounge chair (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEAMES→
13D
"I can't believe that price" bargain (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSTEAL→
15D
Made hay? (5)
Starts with B, ends with DBALED→
19D
Uniform (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEVEN→
22D
Puma rival (6)
Starts with A, ends with SADIDAS→
24D
Setting for the graphic novel series "Persepolis" (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIRAN→
27D
Transition (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESEGUE→
28D
Competitor of the early Chevrolet 490 (6)
Starts with M, ends with TMODELT→
30D
"Sticks" (9)
Starts with B, ends with SBACKWOODS→
31D
Dangerous ocean phenomenon (9)
Starts with R, ends with EROGUEWAVE→
32D
Edible algae dubbed "green caviar" (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSEAGRAPES→
34D
Break the ice? (4)
Starts with T, ends with WTHAW→
36D
Knockouts (8)
Starts with S, ends with SSTUNNERS→
38D
Blind followers, informally (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESHEEPLE→
39D
Friend of Nancy Drew (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBESS→
42D
Daily ___ (5)
Starts with G, ends with DGRIND→
43D
Element of a poetry analysis, maybe (5)
Starts with M, ends with RMETER→
44D
Baseball's Stengel (5)
Starts with C, ends with YCASEY→
46D
Sing like Michael Bublé (5)
Starts with C, ends with NCROON→
48D
Threads (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDUDS→
50D
Food item whose name comes from the Greek for "turn" (4)
Starts with G, ends with OGYRO→
53D
Occasion that may involve fine china (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
54D
Common end to an address (3)
Starts with C, ends with MCOM→
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 May 15, 2026?+
70 clues: 35 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Maddy Ziegler and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: To the ___ (as much as possible) (HILT); Electrifying people, so to speak (LIVEWIRES); Dog howling at night, maybe (OMEN).
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.
