NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 25, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
ConstructorAnthony Grubb
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
Jokes (around) (4)
Starts with K, ends with SKIDS→
5A
Not very spicy (4)
Starts with M, ends with DMILD→
9A
Super 8 or Red Roof Inn (5)
Starts with M, ends with LMOTEL→
14A
Paper cut? (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEDIT→
15A
Big name in laptops (4)
Starts with A, ends with RACER→
16A
Public relations concern (5)
Starts with I, ends with EIMAGE→
17A
Steamy segment in a movie (9)
Starts with L, ends with ELOVESCENE→
19A
Fruit that makes your lips pucker (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLEMON→
20A
Tennis skirt feature (5)
Starts with P, ends with TPLEAT→
21A
Lack of light (8)
Starts with D, ends with SDARKNESS→
23A
Locale for a plastic flamingo (4)
Starts with L, ends with NLAWN→
26A
Yoga studio essential (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMAT→
27A
De-tension center? (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASPA→
30A
Variety of chili that can reach a Scoville score of 1+ million (11)
Starts with G, ends with RGHOSTPEPPER→
36A
European ski destination (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALPS→
38A
Volcanic spew (3)
Starts with A, ends with HASH→
39A
Sample collected by Ancestry.com (6)
Starts with S, ends with ASALIVA→
40A
Daily Planet reporter Lois (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELANE→
41A
Show the ropes (5)
Starts with T, ends with HTEACH→
43A
"___ sesame!" (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOPEN→
44A
Comfortable (6)
Starts with A, ends with EATEASE→
46A
Anguish (3)
Starts with W, ends with EWOE→
47A
Manage, as a bar (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTEND→
48A
California national park known for its dryness (11)
Starts with D, ends with YDEATHVALLEY→
51A
Pigs' digs (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
52A
Number starting a countdown (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTEN→
53A
Sitting on (4)
Starts with A, ends with PATOP→
55A
Bring dishonor upon (8)
Starts with B, ends with HBESMIRCH→
60A
"I'm sleepy" signals (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYAWNS→
64A
Ancient Mexican empire (5)
Starts with A, ends with CAZTEC→
65A
68A
Back of a car or front of an elephant (5)
Starts with T, ends with KTRUNK→
69A
Orchestral woodwind (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOBOE→
70A
Place of buzziness? (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHIVE→
71A
Most watches have three of these (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHANDS→
72A
Japanese electronics giant (4)
Starts with S, ends with YSONY→
73A
An estimated 25% of modern phone calls (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSPAM→
Down
1D
Seaweed in an underwater forest (4)
Starts with K, ends with PKELP→
2D
Revered figure (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
3D
Go off the deep end? (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDIVE→
4D
Incredible bargain (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSTEAL→
5D
Kraft ___ & Cheese (3)
Starts with M, ends with CMAC→
6D
Lead-in to maker or breaker (3)
Starts with I, ends with EICE→
7D
Give, but expect back (4)
Starts with L, ends with DLEND→
8D
Experienced during sleep (6)
Starts with D, ends with TDREAMT→
9D
Frothy drink often served with boba (7)
Starts with M, ends with AMILKTEA→
10D
A ladybug landing on you is considered a good one (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOMEN→
11D
Opposite of wild (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETAME→
12D
Alter ___ (other selves) (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEGOS→
13D
Camera shop purchase (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLENS→
18D
Adult male deer (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSTAG→
22D
A hardened criminal might have a long one (8)
Starts with R, ends with TRAPSHEET→
24D
"Yeah, yeah" (8)
Starts with W, ends with RWHATEVER→
25D
Missing part of the Great Sphinx of Giza (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENOSE→
27D
Leafy lunch order (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSALAD→
28D
Piece of armadillo armor (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPLATE→
29D
Common sleep disorder (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAPNEA→
31D
Item worn over the shoulders (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSHAWL→
32D
"The ___ thickens ..." (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPLOT→
33D
Vocal cords, informally (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPIPES→
34D
Happening (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEVENT→
35D
Singer Newman with the hit "You've Got a Friend in Me" (5)
Starts with R, ends with YRANDY→
37D
Chair or pew (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSEAT→
42D
Coke or Pepsi (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACOLA→
45D
Gimmicky routines (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSHTICKS→
49D
Dried poblanos used in mole sauce (6)
Starts with A, ends with SANCHOS→
50D
Toy on a string (4)
Starts with Y, ends with OYOYO→
54D
Trails (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPATHS→
55D
Relaxing soak (4)
Starts with B, ends with HBATH→
56D
Book just after Ezekiel, alphabetically (4)
Starts with E, ends with AEZRA→
57D
Flabbergast (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSTUN→
58D
Patch up (4)
Starts with M, ends with DMEND→
59D
Drifter in search of work (4)
Starts with H, ends with OHOBO→
61D
What to do with egg whites when making meringue (4)
Starts with W, ends with PWHIP→
62D
Luminous stellar explosion (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANOVA→
63D
Women in ___ (educational advocacy group) (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSTEM→
66D
Colossal quantity (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTON→
67D
"Yoo-hoo!" (3)
Starts with H, ends with YHEY→
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 25, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Anthony Grubb and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Jokes (around) (KIDS); Not very spicy (MILD); Super 8 or Red Roof Inn (MOTEL).
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.
