NYT Crossword hints and answer for October 12, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
ConstructorZhouqin Burnikel
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
"Let's not forget ..." (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALSO→
5A
Singer/actress Bareilles (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASARA→
9A
First part of a musical (4)
Starts with A, ends with IACTI→
13A
Close by (4)
Starts with N, ends with RNEAR→
14A
Post-bath wrap (5)
Starts with T, ends with LTOWEL→
15A
Vegetable on a cob (4)
Starts with C, ends with NCORN→
16A
Electric vehicle from Japan (10)
Starts with N, ends with FNISSANLEAF→
18A
God with a bow and arrow (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEROS→
20A
Investment option for old age, in brief (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIRA→
22A
Mail carrier's assignment: Abbr. (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERTE→
23A
Signaling, as a performer (5)
Starts with C, ends with GCUING→
24A
Total mess (9)
Starts with M, ends with TMARESNEST→
27A
Contents of a sleeve (3)
Starts with A, ends with MARM→
28A
Birthstones for some Libras (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOPALS→
30A
Quick kiss (4)
Starts with P, ends with KPECK→
31A
Movie princess with "space buns" (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALEIA→
33A
Rapper ___ Kim (3)
Starts with L, ends with LLIL→
34A
Mercury, Venus or Mars (5)
Starts with D, ends with YDEITY→
35A
Unpredictable emotional shift (9)
Starts with M, ends with GMOODSWING→
38A
Striped kitty (5)
Starts with T, ends with YTABBY→
40A
Main element in pewter (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTIN→
41A
"No ___, no foul" (4)
Starts with H, ends with MHARM→
45A
Olympic sword with a guarded tip (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEPEE→
46A
Thick heads of hair (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMANES→
48A
Furious (3)
Starts with M, ends with DMAD→
49A
Celtics legend nicknamed "The Hick from French Lick" (9)
Starts with L, ends with DLARRYBIRD→
51A
Kicks off, as a concert (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOPENS→
53A
Singer Grande, informally (3)
Starts with A, ends with IARI→
54A
Part of the Holy Trinity (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSON→
55A
Tony winner Menzel (5)
Starts with I, ends with AIDINA→
56A
___-Cola (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACOCA→
58A
62A
Those, in Spanish (4)
Starts with E, ends with SESOS→
63A
Lollipop holder (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSTICK→
64A
Great Plains tribe (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOTOE→
65A
"Late Night" host Meyers (4)
Starts with S, ends with HSETH→
66A
___ off (miffed) (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTEED→
67A
Little kid (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETYKE→
Down
1D
"Tom Lake" novelist Patchett (3)
Starts with A, ends with NANN→
2D
It isn't working (7)
Starts with L, ends with ELEISURE→
3D
Raw fish dish at a Japanese restaurant (7)
Starts with S, ends with ISASHIMI→
4D
"Citizen Kane" director Welles (5)
Starts with O, ends with NORSON→
5D
Sun, in Spanish (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSOL→
6D
Astounded state (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAWE→
7D
Shows again, as a broadcast (6)
Starts with R, ends with SREAIRS→
8D
"Clemency" actress Woodard (5)
Starts with A, ends with EALFRE→
9D
Card that may be hidden "up one's sleeve" (3)
Starts with A, ends with EACE→
10D
"You're right!" (7)
Starts with C, ends with TCORRECT→
11D
Russian revolutionary Leon (7)
Starts with T, ends with YTROTSKY→
12D
City map next to a state map, e.g. (5)
Starts with I, ends with TINSET→
14D
Explosive block in Minecraft (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTNT→
17D
Mythical Greek ship (4)
Starts with A, ends with OARGO→
21D
Tree with "quaking" leaves (5)
Starts with A, ends with NASPEN→
23D
Baseball great Ripken (3)
Starts with C, ends with LCAL→
24D
___ Marian, Robin Hood's beloved (4)
Starts with M, ends with DMAID→
25D
Outstanding athlete (7)
Starts with A, ends with RALLSTAR→
26D
Sound from the horse's mouth (5)
Starts with N, ends with HNEIGH→
29D
Cunning tactic (4)
Starts with P, ends with YPLOY→
32D
"Jurassic Park" insect casing (5)
Starts with A, ends with RAMBER→
34D
Eat by candlelight, say (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDINE→
36D
Follows an order (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOBEYS→
37D
Sailboat propeller (4)
Starts with W, ends with DWIND→
38D
Hybrid flower named after a drink (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETEAROSE→
39D
Kind of jam in a Sacher torte (7)
Starts with A, ends with TAPRICOT→
42D
In-room safe or a chocolate on the pillow, say (7)
Starts with A, ends with YAMENITY→
43D
Went hog wild (7)
Starts with R, ends with KRANAMOK→
44D
Some E.R. workers (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMDS→
46D
Time piece? (6)
Starts with M, ends with EMINUTE→
47D
Sweet, fizzy drink (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASODA→
49D
Roller skate strings (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLACES→
50D
Give a leg up (5)
Starts with B, ends with TBOOST→
52D
Amelia Earhart, for one (5)
Starts with P, ends with TPILOT→
55D
Squid's defensive output (3)
Starts with I, ends with KINK→
57D
Residue on a grill (3)
Starts with A, ends with HASH→
59D
Reason for overtime (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETIE→
60D
Anxious condition, in brief (3)
Starts with O, ends with DOCD→
61D
Hive occupant (3)
Starts with B, ends with EBEE→
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 October 12, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Zhouqin Burnikel and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: "Let's not forget ..." (ALSO); Singer/actress Bareilles (SARA); First part of a musical (ACTI).
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.
