NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 26, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
ConstructorBrad Lively
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
Number not representable by Roman numerals (4)
Starts with Z, ends with OZERO→
5A
What's the point of bullfighting? (4)
Starts with H, ends with NHORN→
9A
Bryce Canyon's state (4)
Starts with U, ends with HUTAH→
13A
What Thomas Carlyle called "the dismal science," for short (4)
Starts with E, ends with NECON→
14A
Cookies featured in Weird Al's "The White Stuff" (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOREOS→
16A
Condiment in potato salad, informally (4)
Starts with M, ends with OMAYO→
17A
*Aids for biting (10)
Starts with S, ends with HSHARPTEETH→
19A
Task for a line cook, informally (4)
Starts with P, ends with PPREP→
20A
Thus far (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETODATE→
21A
___ for thought (4)
Starts with F, ends with DFOOD→
23A
Crevice (3)
Starts with G, ends with PGAP→
24A
Ice cream drink (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMALT→
26A
*Attribute for spotting what others miss (7)
Starts with K, ends with EKEENEYE→
28A
What a scare might make you do (4)
Starts with J, ends with PJUMP→
31A
Word after hand or band (3)
Starts with S, ends with WSAW→
33A
"That's a good tip for the future" (5)
Starts with N, ends with DNOTED→
34A
Actress de Armas of "Knives Out" (3)
Starts with A, ends with AANA→
35A
Swanky shindig (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGALA→
36A
Copenhagener, e.g. (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDANE→
37A
What the answers to the starred clues are, collectively? (15)
Starts with B, ends with EBODYOFKNOWLEDGE→
42A
$50/hour, e.g. (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERATE→
43A
Cuisine from Bangkok (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITHAI→
44A
It's blowing in the wind (3)
Starts with A, ends with RAIR→
45A
Artist with the albums "19," "21," "25" and "30" (5)
Starts with A, ends with EADELE→
47A
"My dear ___ …" (3)
Starts with S, ends with RSIR→
48A
Online files for instruction manuals, often (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPDFS→
49A
*Cheeky sort (7)
Starts with W, ends with SWISEASS→
52A
Rip-___ (awful deals) (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOFFS→
54A
Pre-entree order, informally (3)
Starts with A, ends with PAPP→
55A
Daily delivery (4)
Starts with M, ends with LMAIL→
57A
Declares as fact (6)
Starts with S, ends with OSAYSSO→
61A
Picked out of a lineup, informally (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIDED→
63A
*One given to insolence (10)
Starts with S, ends with HSMARTMOUTH→
65A
Tickle Me Elmo toymaker (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTYCO→
66A
HR-V and CR-V automaker (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHONDA→
67A
Senior dance party (4)
Starts with P, ends with MPROM→
68A
Meyers of "Late Night" (4)
Starts with S, ends with HSETH→
69A
Within a stone's throw of (4)
Starts with N, ends with RNEAR→
70A
Patches up, say (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSEWS→
Down
2D
Repetitive sound effect (4)
Starts with E, ends with OECHO→
3D
Highway, e.g. (4)
Starts with R, ends with DROAD→
4D
Way to the highway (6)
Starts with O, ends with PONRAMP→
5D
Spot to keep a passport while traveling (9)
Starts with H, ends with EHOTELSAFE→
6D
Valuable deposit (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
7D
"Finding Nemo" setting (4)
Starts with R, ends with FREEF→
8D
Simply unacceptable (5)
Starts with N, ends with KNOTOK→
9D
M.L.B. official (3)
Starts with U, ends with PUMP→
10D
Customized bit of marketing (10)
Starts with T, ends with DTARGETEDAD→
11D
"Yes, captain!" (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAYEAYE→
12D
Moved like a kangaroo (6)
Starts with H, ends with DHOPPED→
15D
"If the ___ fits, wear it!" (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESHOE→
18D
School bake sale org. (3)
Starts with P, ends with APTA→
22D
Mountain visible from Anchorage (6)
Starts with D, ends with IDENALI→
25D
Lecture (4)
Starts with T, ends with KTALK→
27D
"___ of your business!" (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENONE→
28D
Punch in the ring (3)
Starts with J, ends with BJAB→
29D
Game with the goal of running out of cards (3)
Starts with U, ends with OUNO→
30D
Huge props (10)
Starts with M, ends with TMADRESPECT→
32D
Desires (5)
Starts with W, ends with SWANTS→
35D
Cheerleader's shout (6)
Starts with G, ends with MGOTEAM→
36D
A little sun? (9)
Starts with D, ends with RDWARFSTAR→
38D
Connecticut Ivy (4)
Starts with Y, ends with EYALE→
39D
Home of Xenia, the U.S.'s largest city whose name starts with "X" (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOHIO→
40D
Many an embedded animation (3)
Starts with G, ends with FGIF→
41D
Settings for "The Pitt" and "Code Black," for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with SERS→
45D
Lies ahead (6)
Starts with A, ends with SAWAITS→
46D
Technique whereby a shirt is lowered into a pigmented bath (6)
Starts with D, ends with EDIPDYE→
48D
Military mind games, for short (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPSYOPS→
50D
Merit badge holder (4)
Starts with S, ends with HSASH→
51D
Schuster's partner in publishing (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSIMON→
53D
Closest peeps (3)
Starts with F, ends with MFAM→
56D
Assignment at a bowling alley (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELANE→
58D
"You bet!" (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESURE→
59D
Place in an overhead bin (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSTOW→
60D
Electrical resistance units (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOHMS→
62D
[Facepalm] (3)
Starts with D, ends with HDOH→
64D
Nutritional intake amt. (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARDA→
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 26, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Brad Lively and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Number not representable by Roman numerals (ZERO); What's the point of bullfighting? (HORN); Bryce Canyon's state (UTAH).
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.
