NYT Crossword hints and answer for October 18, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues136
Across61
Down75
TitleTell Me About Yourself!
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
Beneficiary of early capital (7)
Starts with S, ends with PSTARTUP→
8A
Bless, in a way (6)
Starts with A, ends with TANOINT→
14A
Close female friend … in relative terms (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSISTER→
20A
Less than satisfactory, slangily (7)
Starts with N, ends with ONOBUENO→
21A
Like some cyborg parts (6)
Starts with B, ends with CBIONIC→
22A
Extended play? (6)
Starts with E, ends with EENCORE→
23A
Heyhowareyou (14)
Starts with I, ends with EINEEDSOMESPACE→
25A
Journalist Michele with two Peabody Awards (6)
Starts with N, ends with SNORRIS→
26A
Walkers, informally (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPEDS→
28A
Softens with sudden sympathy or affection (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMELTS→
30A
"Behold," in Latin (4)
Starts with E, ends with EECCE→
31A
Bob ___, alter ego of Mr. Incredible (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPARR→
32A
"What" (12)
Starts with I, ends with TITELLYOUWHAT→
35A
Mythical figure whose name means "murmuring rock" (7)
Starts with L, ends with ILORELEI→
38A
Justice ___ Coney Barrett (3)
Starts with A, ends with YAMY→
39A
Summer setting in S.F. (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPDT→
40A
Party takeaway (5)
Starts with F, ends with RFAVOR→
41A
N.F.L. accolade (6)
Starts with A, ends with OALLPRO→
44A
View spoiler (7)
Starts with E, ends with EEYESORE→
49A
All--can-eat buffet (10)
Starts with I, ends with UIMISSEDYOU→
51A
Fiber-rich substance (4)
Starts with B, ends with NBRAN→
53A
Exam for future docs (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMCAT→
54A
Fenway squad (6)
Starts with R, ends with XREDSOX→
55A
"Since brass, ___ stone, ___ earth, ___ boundless sea …": Shak. (3)
Starts with N, ends with RNOR→
56A
___-mo (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSLO→
57A
Steamy (6)
Starts with E, ends with CEROTIC→
61A
It follows a coin toss (7)
Starts with K, ends with FKICKOFF→
65A
This (19)
Starts with I, ends with YIDONTSAYTHISLIGHTLY→
70A
Large volume (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETOME→
71A
They can make a pronounced difference (7)
Starts with U, ends with SUMLAUTS→
73A
Historic figure targeted in Stephen King's time-travel novel "11/22/63" (6)
Starts with O, ends with DOSWALD→
75A
Small + or – (3)
Starts with I, ends with NION→
76A
Apt name for a thief (3)
Starts with R, ends with BROB→
78A
Tree that can be a source of water for thirsty elephants (6)
Starts with B, ends with BBAOBAB→
83A
Nibble (4)
Starts with N, ends with HNOSH→
84A
Brand represented by Happy the Oil Drop (4)
Starts with E, ends with OESSO→
86A
See 88-Across (10)
Starts with I, ends with EIMOVERHERE→
90A
Admits (6)
Starts with C, ends with OCOPSTO→
92A
Follow-up to "Sit!" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHAKE→
93A
Off work, for short (3)
Starts with O, ends with OOOO→
94A
Figure, informally (3)
Starts with B, ends with DBOD→
95A
Making a strong effort (7)
Starts with A, ends with SATPAINS→
97A
Non, ni, 'a'ole (12)
Starts with I, ends with SIHAVENOWORDS→
103A
Nickname for Ellen or Helen (4)
Starts with N, ends with LNELL→
104A
[Beep!] (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMOVE→
105A
One of the Three Musketeers (5)
Starts with A, ends with SATHOS→
106A
"S.N.L." alum Gardner (5)
Starts with H, ends with IHEIDI→
108A
Artist who kept a pet ocelot (4)
Starts with D, ends with IDALI→
114A
Taib? Tbia? (14)
Starts with I, ends with DIMABITCONFUSED→
117A
It's cold in Italy (6)
Starts with G, ends with OGELATO→
118A
Shifts gears, say (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSEGUES→
119A
Nation bordering the Black Sea (7)
Starts with U, ends with EUKRAINE→
120A
Analogue of a delete key (6)
Starts with E, ends with RERASER→
122A
"That ship has sailed" (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETOOLATE→
Down
1D
Short cut (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSNIP→
2D
Beep, e.g. (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETONE→
3D
Undercover? (4)
Starts with A, ends with DABED→
4D
Has regrets about (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRUES→
5D
___ Allen, host of "Chopped" (3)
Starts with T, ends with DTED→
6D
Make public, as secret documents (6)
Starts with U, ends with LUNSEAL→
7D
Novel form of summer escapism? (8)
Starts with P, ends with DPOOLREAD→
8D
Connive with, maybe (4)
Starts with A, ends with TABET→
9D
Second-generation Japanese American (5)
Starts with N, ends with INISEI→
10D
Alley ___ (3)
Starts with O, ends with POOP→
11D
How a boss might communicate new policy (7)
Starts with I, ends with OINAMEMO→
12D
With courtesy (6)
Starts with N, ends with YNICELY→
13D
Immune system agent (5)
Starts with T, ends with LTCELL→
14D
Toothpaste brand since 1961 (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESENSODYNE→
15D
Italian diminutive suffix (3)
Starts with I, ends with OINO→
16D
It turns when driven (5)
Starts with S, ends with WSCREW→
17D
Logo of the W.N.B.A.'s New York Liberty (5)
Starts with T, ends with HTORCH→
18D
Name found in "Americana" (5)
Starts with E, ends with AERICA→
19D
Go back to square one (5)
Starts with R, ends with TRESET→
24D
Sex symbol of the 1950s-'60s, familiarly (7)
Starts with M, ends with NMARILYN→
29D
Hypercompetitive and driven, say (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATYPEA→
31D
Staff (9)
Starts with P, ends with LPERSONNEL→
33D
Street application (3)
Starts with T, ends with RTAR→
34D
Indigenous people of the Salt Lake Valley (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUTE→
35D
Weak, as an excuse (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELAME→
36D
"Ibis" poet (4)
Starts with O, ends with DOVID→
37D
Bob who painted "Cabin at Sunset," which sold for over $1 million to benefit public media (4)
Starts with R, ends with SROSS→
40D
Fragrant holiday purchase (3)
Starts with F, ends with RFIR→
42D
Gawker (8)
Starts with L, ends with OLOOKYLOO→
43D
Goody-goody sort (7)
Starts with P, ends with NPURITAN→
45D
Young salmon (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSMOLT→
46D
Eight-related (5)
Starts with O, ends with LOCTAL→
47D
Like Amazon forests, typically (5)
Starts with R, ends with YRAINY→
48D
Series finale? (3)
Starts with E, ends with CETC→
50D
Maze's goal (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEXIT→
51D
Comes into one's own (8)
Starts with B, ends with SBLOSSOMS→
52D
[So-o-o funny!] (4)
Starts with R, ends with LROFL→
56D
Reason to head for the hills (7)
Starts with S, ends with PSKITRIP→
58D
Drill (9)
Starts with R, ends with LREHEARSAL→
60D
"Geaux Tigers!" sch. (3)
Starts with L, ends with ULSU→
62D
John M. ___, director of 2024's "Wicked" (3)
Starts with C, ends with UCHU→
63D
Showing signs of working out, say (3)
Starts with F, ends with TFIT→
65D
"Let's do this!" (5)
Starts with I, ends with NITSON→
66D
Use a divining rod (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDOWSE→
67D
Midwest birthplace of Marlon Brando (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOMAHA→
68D
Buddies, in Bayonne (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAMIS→
69D
Wisecrack (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGIBE→
73D
Musical Yoko (3)
Starts with O, ends with OONO→
74D
Big bang source (9)
Starts with D, ends with RDETONATOR→
77D
Like London's Kew Gardens (7)
Starts with B, ends with CBOTANIC→
79D
Surprised greeting (4)
Starts with O, ends with IOHHI→
80D
Word with black or coffee (4)
Starts with B, ends with NBEAN→
81D
Covenant keepers (4)
Starts with A, ends with SARKS→
82D
Something in which you might stand for a spell (3)
Starts with B, ends with EBEE→
85D
"Lay it on me" (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSHOOT→
87D
Ousted, democratically (8)
Starts with V, ends with TVOTEDOUT→
89D
Sushi topper (3)
Starts with R, ends with EROE→
90D
Boutonniere counterpart (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECORSAGE→
91D
Eccentric (3)
Starts with O, ends with DODD→
94D
Many a modern-day septuagenarian (6)
Starts with B, ends with RBOOMER→
96D
Pricing game on "The Price Is Right" (6)
Starts with P, ends with OPLINKO→
97D
Avatar, e.g. (5)
Starts with I, ends with EIMAGE→
98D
Smash hit (5)
Starts with H, ends with RHOMER→
99D
Teresa of ___ (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAVILA→
100D
Sacred Sanskrit texts (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVEDAS→
101D
Card game played in Dickens's "The Pickwick Papers" (5)
Starts with W, ends with TWHIST→
102D
Drew back (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSHIED→
107D
Website with a "Star Seller" program (4)
Starts with E, ends with YETSY→
108D
Binary (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDUAL→
109D
Setting for most of the TV series "Pachinko" (4)
Starts with A, ends with AASIA→
110D
Time for a social media break, maybe (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLENT→
111D
___ fixe (4)
Starts with I, ends with EIDEE→
113D
Office address abbr. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESTE→
115D
Cupcake, in Ireland (3)
Starts with B, ends with NBUN→
116D
Not to (3)
Starts with F, ends with OFRO→
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 18, 2026?+
136 clues: 61 Across and 75 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Peter Gorman and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Beneficiary of early capital (STARTUP); Bless, in a way (ANOINT); Close female friend … in relative terms (SISTER).
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.
