NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 8, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues70
Across34
Down36
ConstructorRafael Musa and Geoffrey Schorkopf
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
Criticizes, in modern lingo (7)
Starts with H, ends with NHATESON→
8A
Unruffled (6)
Starts with A, ends with EATEASE→
14A
"Not to worry ..." (8)
Starts with T, ends with WTHERENOW→
16A
Chichi (6)
Starts with S, ends with YSWANKY→
17A
One away from one's duties? (8)
Starts with T, ends with ETAXEXILE→
18A
French exit (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESORTIE→
19A
Hollywood is on it: Abbr. (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPST→
20A
Secures, in a way (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMOORS→
23A
Create a crispy crust for, say (7)
Starts with P, ends with RPANSEAR→
25A
Coolers, for short (3)
Starts with A, ends with SACS→
26A
"Jeez!" (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAWMAN→
29A
Touchy topic (8)
Starts with S, ends with TSORESPOT→
31A
One of two in Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" (6)
Starts with C, ends with BCHERUB→
33A
Cartoonist who popularized the Democratic donkey (4)
Starts with N, ends with TNAST→
34A
"Bad hair day" hair (3)
Starts with M, ends with PMOP→
36A
Address no longer than 18 minutes (7)
Starts with T, ends with KTEDTALK→
38A
Prepares for company, maybe (7)
Starts with N, ends with SNEATENS→
40A
Networking assets (3)
Starts with I, ends with SINS→
41A
Second City district, with "the" (4)
Starts with L, ends with PLOOP→
43A
Plumbing and welding, e.g. (6)
Starts with T, ends with STRADES→
44A
Really nasty fall? (8)
Starts with I, ends with MICESTORM→
47A
Date unlikely to be on a calendar (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTRYST→
48A
Mammoth's home, for short (3)
Starts with N, ends with LNHL→
49A
Where to go for a run (7)
Starts with S, ends with ASKIAREA→
51A
Peabody-winning journalist Steve (5)
Starts with K, ends with TKROFT→
53A
Many a Chilango (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSENOR→
54A
Formula 1 fig. (3)
Starts with K, ends with HKPH→
57A
"I'm this-a way!" (6)
Starts with Y, ends with OYOOHOO→
59A
Great depression? (8)
Starts with S, ends with ESINKHOLE→
61A
"Would you look at the time?!" (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIMLATE→
62A
Scrumdiddlyumptious (8)
Starts with T, ends with RTODIEFOR→
63A
Like some interests and stocks (6)
Starts with V, ends with DVESTED→
64A
Feeds the kitty, say (7)
Starts with C, ends with SCATSITS→
Down
1D
It's usually followed by an "s" (4)
Starts with H, ends with PHTTP→
2D
Indicators of awareness (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAHAS→
3D
Ding thing? (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTEXT→
4D
Bygone "before" (3)
Starts with E, ends with EERE→
5D
Books that go into intimate detail? (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSEXMANUALS→
6D
It might bring you to tears (5)
Starts with O, ends with NONION→
7D
"Good riddance" (6)
Starts with N, ends with SNOLOSS→
9D
All slam dunks (4)
Starts with T, ends with STWOS→
10D
Accessory turned down on a cap (6)
Starts with E, ends with PEARLAP→
11D
Humor without a traditional punch line (10)
Starts with A, ends with YANTICOMEDY→
12D
Create ripple effects, in a way (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSKIPSTONES→
13D
Scallops can have hundreds of tiny blue ones (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEYES→
15D
"It's a date!" (6)
Starts with W, ends with NWEREON→
21D
It's a wrap! (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSARAN→
23D
Hairstylist's concern (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPART→
24D
Go back to the beginning (5)
Starts with R, ends with TRESET→
26D
Whence the line "Beware the ides of March" in "Julius Caesar" (4)
Starts with A, ends with IACTI→
27D
Comment from one who's going along (10)
Starts with W, ends with EWHENINROME→
28D
Where to see fresh coats of white? (10)
Starts with M, ends with SMEDSCHOOLS→
30D
First gear? (10)
Starts with S, ends with TSTARTERKIT→
32D
Rorschach patterns (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBLOTS→
35D
"I'm this-a way!" (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPSST→
37D
Goofballs (5)
Starts with K, ends with SKOOKS→
39D
___ Theatre, Atlanta art house named for a fictional estate (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATARA→
42D
White-collar figure (6)
Starts with P, ends with TPRIEST→
45D
Pointy-topped red-and-green headwear (6)
Starts with E, ends with TELFHAT→
46D
Tuber that's the source of tapioca (6)
Starts with M, ends with CMANIOC→
50D
___ Rousey, first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo (5)
Starts with R, ends with ARONDA→
51D
National capital that's home to Mykhailivska Square (4)
Starts with K, ends with VKYIV→
52D
Schlep (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETOTE→
54D
___ Annan, former U.N. secretary general (4)
Starts with K, ends with IKOFI→
55D
Something that's hatched (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPLOT→
56D
Half of some matching sets (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHERS→
58D
Work that traces the evolution of lang. over 1,000 years (3)
Starts with O, ends with DOED→
60D
"And ___ long gone when ___ next to me" (Taylor Swift lyric) (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHES→
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 8, 2026?+
70 clues: 34 Across and 36 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Rafael Musa and Geoffrey Schorkopf and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Criticizes, in modern lingo (HATESON); Unruffled (ATEASE); "Not to worry ..." (THERENOW).
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.
