NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 4, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across35
Down43
ConstructorKate Schutzengel
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
"The ___ is clear!" (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCOAST→
6A
"Mamma Mia" group (4)
Starts with A, ends with AABBA→
10A
Spaces, as between teeth (4)
Starts with G, ends with SGAPS→
14A
Author Joyce Carol ___ (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOATES→
15A
Devices for keyless entry (4)
Starts with F, ends with SFOBS→
16A
Amo, amas, ___ (4)
Starts with A, ends with TAMAT→
17A
"Sleepless in Seattle" or "Legally Blonde," informally (10)
Starts with C, ends with KCHICKFLICK→
19A
Actress Dunham or Waithe (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALENA→
20A
Call from an ump (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOUT→
21A
Group of connected PCs (3)
Starts with L, ends with NLAN→
22A
Like some columns and bonds (5)
Starts with I, ends with CIONIC→
23A
Methodical way for something to be built (12)
Starts with B, ends with KBRICKBYBRICK→
27A
"This place is fire" (6)
Starts with I, ends with TITSLIT→
30A
Sidney who directed "12 Angry Men" and "The Wiz" (5)
Starts with L, ends with TLUMET→
31A
Japanese camera giant (5)
Starts with N, ends with NNIKON→
32A
"The Lion King" villain (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSCAR→
34A
Soph., jr. and sr. (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYRS→
37A
Slogan encouraging the use of seatbelts (15)
Starts with C, ends with TCLICKITORTICKET→
41A
Swiss peak (3)
Starts with A, ends with PALP→
42A
Enormous (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHUGE→
43A
New England state with the slogan "The Way Life Should Be" (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMAINE→
44A
Used, as a chair (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSATON→
47A
Shaggy hairstyle (6)
Starts with M, ends with PMOPTOP→
48A
Simple game requiring steady hands (12)
Starts with P, ends with SPICKUPSTICKS→
52A
Improvise, as a speech (5)
Starts with A, ends with BADLIB→
53A
When a plane is due, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
54A
Used to be (3)
Starts with W, ends with SWAS→
57A
College figure (4)
Starts with D, ends with NDEAN→
58A
Suddenly feels repulsed by a romantic partner … or a hint to 17-, 23-, 37- and 48-Across (10)
Starts with G, ends with KGETSTHEICK→
62A
Pole on a sailboat (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMAST→
63A
Tradition for many high school seniors (4)
Starts with P, ends with MPROM→
64A
Fasten, as a ship's rope (5)
Starts with B, ends with YBELAY→
65A
In addition (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALSO→
66A
Levelheaded (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESANE→
67A
"Goodie" on classic radio (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOLDIE→
Down
1D
2017 Pixar film set in Mexico (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCOCO→
2D
Third-largest Hawaiian island (4)
Starts with O, ends with UOAHU→
3D
Going ___ (fighting) (4)
Starts with A, ends with TATIT→
4D
Part of a min. (3)
Starts with S, ends with CSEC→
5D
Chiding sound (3)
Starts with T, ends with KTSK→
6D
Insurance company whose mascot is a duck (5)
Starts with A, ends with CAFLAC→
7D
Sound effect for a bop on the head (5)
Starts with B, ends with KBOINK→
8D
Eng. channel (3)
Starts with B, ends with CBBC→
9D
Request (3)
Starts with A, ends with KASK→
10D
Aplenty (6)
Starts with G, ends with EGALORE→
11D
Bag of hotel room freebies, say (10)
Starts with A, ends with TAMENITYKIT→
12D
Feel a suddenly overwhelming fear (5)
Starts with P, ends with CPANIC→
13D
Serving of pancakes (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSTACK→
18D
Move like a fairy (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFLIT→
22D
Tech giant founded in 1911 (3)
Starts with I, ends with MIBM→
23D
Voting group (4)
Starts with B, ends with CBLOC→
24D
Skating locale (4)
Starts with R, ends with KRINK→
25D
Play loudly, as from a speaker (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBLARE→
26D
Traditional circular dwelling (4)
Starts with Y, ends with TYURT→
27D
Ancient Peruvian (4)
Starts with I, ends with AINCA→
28D
Cash drawer (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTILL→
29D
Plays hooky (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSKIPSCLASS→
32D
Shocks into silence (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTUNS→
33D
Part of a gearwheel (3)
Starts with C, ends with GCOG→
35D
Nevada city near Lake Tahoe (4)
Starts with R, ends with ORENO→
36D
Bit of a staircase (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSTEP→
38D
Flapjack franchise (4)
Starts with I, ends with PIHOP→
39D
Reassurance after a loud crash, say (4)
Starts with I, ends with KIMOK→
40D
Puts a limit on (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCAPS→
45D
Resembling (6)
Starts with A, ends with OAKINTO→
46D
Spot for three men in a nursery rhyme (3)
Starts with T, ends with BTUB→
47D
Exam for a future doc (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMCAT→
48D
Culinary personality Lakshmi (5)
Starts with P, ends with APADMA→
49D
Best imaginable (5)
Starts with I, ends with LIDEAL→
50D
Wyoming's Grand ___ National Park (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTETON→
51D
"Hi, you know who this is" (5)
Starts with I, ends with EITSME→
54D
Undomesticated (4)
Starts with W, ends with DWILD→
55D
Smoothie "superfood" (4)
Starts with A, ends with IACAI→
56D
Scottish terrier breed (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESKYE→
58D
Rte. finder (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGPS→
59D
Long time in history (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
60D
Network for "Succession" and "The Wire" (3)
Starts with H, ends with OHBO→
61D
Slithery fish (3)
Starts with E, ends with LEEL→
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 4, 2026?+
78 clues: 35 Across and 43 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Kate Schutzengel and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: "The ___ is clear!" (COAST); "Mamma Mia" group (ABBA); Spaces, as between teeth (GAPS).
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.
