NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 18, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
ConstructorRena Cohen
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
Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTIED→
5A
Luxury handbag brand (5)
Starts with P, ends with APRADA→
10A
Petri dish gel (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAGAR→
14A
West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024 (4)
Starts with U, ends with AUCLA→
15A
Stereotypical meal for a college student (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRAMEN→
16A
"Veni, ___, vici" (4)
Starts with V, ends with IVIDI→
17A
Like the Code of Hammurabi (10)
Starts with B, ends with NBABYLONIAN→
19A
Enterprise rival (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAVIS→
20A
Got to one's feet (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAROSE→
21A
Elmer's product (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGLUE→
23A
"There's a cockroach!" (3)
Starts with E, ends with KEEK→
24A
Patch up some clothes, say (3)
Starts with S, ends with WSEW→
25A
Pioneering hybrid car (11)
Starts with T, ends with STOYOTAPRIUS→
29A
Pouty expression (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMOUE→
30A
Future atty.'s exam (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLSAT→
31A
Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie" (4)
Starts with I, ends with AISSA→
34A
Tackling of the quarterback (4)
Starts with S, ends with KSACK→
37A
Nebraska's largest city (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOMAHA→
40A
Governing body in the Harry Potter universe (15)
Starts with M, ends with CMINISTRYOFMAGIC→
43A
Fibrous part of broccoli (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSTALK→
44A
Nothin' (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANADA→
45A
Cool, slangily (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDOPE→
46A
"___ Calm and Carry On" (4)
Starts with K, ends with PKEEP→
48A
Region (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAREA→
50A
Gardener's tool (11)
Starts with W, ends with RWEEDWHACKER→
54A
Kit ___ bar (3)
Starts with K, ends with TKAT→
57A
Woodcutter's tool (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAXE→
58A
Beauty queen's accessory (4)
Starts with S, ends with HSASH→
59A
Garlicky condiment (5)
Starts with A, ends with IAIOLI→
61A
Eye irritation (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESTYE→
63A
Advice for the overambitious ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 40- and 50-Across (10)
Starts with S, ends with LSTARTSMALL→
66A
___ leches cake (4)
Starts with T, ends with STRES→
67A
Oopsie (5)
Starts with E, ends with RERROR→
68A
Lotion ingredient (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALOE→
69A
Toward sunrise (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEAST→
70A
"Same!" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ISODOI→
71A
Stereotypically antisocial pets (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCATS→
Down
1D
Large brass instruments (5)
Starts with T, ends with STUBAS→
2D
"You have my sympathy" (5)
Starts with I, ends with EICARE→
3D
Macaroni shape (5)
Starts with E, ends with WELBOW→
4D
14 of these make up a fortnight (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDAYS→
5D
Con's opposite (3)
Starts with P, ends with OPRO→
6D
Sprinted (3)
Starts with R, ends with NRAN→
7D
Friend in Mexico (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAMIGO→
8D
Gave out cards (5)
Starts with D, ends with TDEALT→
9D
Zinnia or sunflower (6)
Starts with A, ends with LANNUAL→
10D
Director DuVernay (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAVA→
11D
Attempt something (9)
Starts with G, ends with OGIVEITAGO→
12D
"Au revoir!" (5)
Starts with A, ends with UADIEU→
13D
Puts on the line (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRISKS→
18D
Oscar winner Jared (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLETO→
22D
English town famous for its salts (5)
Starts with E, ends with MEPSOM→
26D
Throw out of office (4)
Starts with O, ends with TOUST→
27D
Long (for) (5)
Starts with Y, ends with NYEARN→
28D
Holiday Inn competitor (6)
Starts with R, ends with ARAMADA→
29D
Sent by post (6)
Starts with M, ends with DMAILED→
31D
Writes to on WhatsApp, in brief (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIMS→
32D
Puppy school command (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSIT→
33D
Roll of two ones (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSNAKEEYES→
35D
"Ta-ta," in a text (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACYA→
36D
Camera company known for its "moments" (5)
Starts with K, ends with KKODAK→
38D
With it (3)
Starts with H, ends with PHIP→
39D
Unreturned serve (3)
Starts with A, ends with EACE→
41D
Distorts, as data (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSKEWS→
42D
Ticket price (4)
Starts with F, ends with EFARE→
47D
The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPHASES→
49D
Chapters of history (4)
Starts with E, ends with SERAS→
50D
Squander (5)
Starts with W, ends with EWASTE→
51D
Outlandishly over the top, in modern slang (5)
Starts with E, ends with AEXTRA→
52D
Houston baseballer (5)
Starts with A, ends with OASTRO→
53D
Swiss ___ (salad green) (5)
Starts with C, ends with DCHARD→
54D
Marsupial often mistermed a "bear" (5)
Starts with K, ends with AKOALA→
55D
Apportion (5)
Starts with A, ends with TALLOT→
56D
There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game (5)
Starts with T, ends with STILES→
60D
Apple desktop (4)
Starts with I, ends with CIMAC→
62D
Superlative suffix (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEST→
64D
Down Under bounder, for short (3)
Starts with R, ends with OROO→
65D
Prefix between bi- and tetra- (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITRI→
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 18, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Rena Cohen and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout (TIED); Luxury handbag brand (PRADA); Petri dish gel (AGAR).
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.
