NYT Crossword hints and answer for October 20, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across38
Down40
ConstructorAdam Aaronson
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
Apple tablet (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIPAD→
5A
Facing the pitcher (5)
Starts with A, ends with TATBAT→
10A
Time to blow out the candles on a cake, informally (4)
Starts with B, ends with YBDAY→
14A
Informal eatery (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECAFE→
15A
Thanks, in France (5)
Starts with M, ends with IMERCI→
16A
Singer Guthrie (4)
Starts with A, ends with OARLO→
17A
Says 2 + 2 = 5, e.g. (4)
Starts with E, ends with SERRS→
18A
Wedding cake figurine (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBRIDE→
19A
Last language alphabetically on Google Translate (4)
Starts with Z, ends with UZULU→
20A
Milkshake flavor made with Oreos (13)
Starts with C, ends with MCOOKIESNCREAM→
23A
The "A" of I.P.A. (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
24A
Pitcher Maddux who won the Cy Young Award in four consecutive years (4)
Starts with G, ends with GGREG→
25A
Welcome sights for thirsty people in deserts (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOASES→
28A
Accelerator or brake (5)
Starts with P, ends with LPEDAL→
30A
Music genre that Joan Jett "loves" (9)
Starts with R, ends with LROCKNROLL→
33A
Arcing tennis shot (3)
Starts with L, ends with BLOB→
35A
Member of a convent (3)
Starts with N, ends with NNUN→
36A
Lavatory, in Liverpool (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLOO→
37A
Pasta often filled with ricotta (7)
Starts with R, ends with IRAVIOLI→
41A
Listing on the Billboard Hot 100 (7)
Starts with P, ends with GPOPSONG→
44A
50 years, for Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit" (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAGE→
45A
Play a part in a play (3)
Starts with A, ends with TACT→
47A
"My man!" (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBRO→
48A
Two-part steakhouse entree (9)
Starts with S, ends with FSURFNTURF→
56A
Filmmaker Miyazaki (5)
Starts with H, ends with OHAYAO→
57A
Questions (4)
Starts with A, ends with SASKS→
59A
Color that means "stop" (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRED→
60A
Like some scented stickers (13)
Starts with S, ends with FSCRATCHNSNIFF→
64A
Sorority's counterpart, in brief (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFRAT→
66A
Mandarin "hello" (5)
Starts with N, ends with ONIHAO→
67A
Head ___ heels (4)
Starts with O, ends with ROVER→
68A
Chauffeured vehicle (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLIMO→
69A
Message often accompanied by an exclamation point in a triangle (5)
Starts with A, ends with TALERT→
70A
Michelin product (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETIRE→
71A
Alternative to a Lyft (4)
Starts with U, ends with RUBER→
73A
Make simpler (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEASE→
Down
1D
What covers the North Pole (6)
Starts with I, ends with PICECAP→
2D
End of some sentences (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPAROLE→
3D
Having a certain natural hairstyle (6)
Starts with A, ends with DAFROED→
4D
Furniture piece for a talk show host (4)
Starts with D, ends with KDESK→
5D
Shade of yellow (5)
Starts with A, ends with RAMBER→
6D
More abrupt in language (6)
Starts with T, ends with RTERSER→
7D
Hire to the team (7)
Starts with B, ends with NBRINGON→
8D
Band with the aptly titled debut album "High Voltage" (4)
Starts with A, ends with CACDC→
9D
Stratum (4)
Starts with T, ends with RTIER→
10D
Marketplace with stalls (6)
Starts with B, ends with RBAZAAR→
11D
Occasion for a percussionist to shine (8)
Starts with D, ends with ODRUMSOLO→
12D
With 13-Down, "___ can eat" (restaurant come-on) (3)
Starts with A, ends with LALL→
13D
See 12-Down (3)
Starts with Y, ends with UYOU→
21D
Inuit's home (5)
Starts with I, ends with OIGLOO→
22D
Time unit aptly hidden in "paleontology" (3)
Starts with E, ends with NEON→
26D
University in North Carolina (4)
Starts with E, ends with NELON→
27D
Difficult, tiring work (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSLOG→
29D
Comic actress Wong (3)
Starts with A, ends with IALI→
31D
Unit of flour (3)
Starts with C, ends with PCUP→
32D
Door handle (4)
Starts with K, ends with BKNOB→
34D
Untuneful trumpet sound (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBLAT→
37D
Lacking much thought (4)
Starts with R, ends with HRASH→
38D
Water, in Oaxaca (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAGUA→
39D
Aforementioned (8)
Starts with V, ends with EVERYSAME→
40D
Hospital area with IVs (3)
Starts with I, ends with UICU→
42D
News media (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPRESS→
43D
Crosstown rivals of the Cubbies (3)
Starts with S, ends with XSOX→
46D
Windpipe (7)
Starts with T, ends with ATRACHEA→
49D
Decision-making consideration (6)
Starts with F, ends with RFACTOR→
50D
Neither here ___ there (3)
Starts with N, ends with RNOR→
51D
Only black key in a G major scale (6)
Starts with F, ends with PFSHARP→
53D
Fodder for "Jeopardy!" (6)
Starts with T, ends with ATRIVIA→
54D
Alludes (to) (6)
Starts with R, ends with SREFERS→
55D
58D
Ties that are hard to untie (5)
Starts with K, ends with SKNOTS→
61D
Super-uptight (4)
Starts with A, ends with LANAL→
62D
Bit of bathroom décor (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETILE→
63D
Do, re or mi (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENOTE→
64D
It goes around every year (3)
Starts with F, ends with UFLU→
65D
Short ___ (beef cut) (3)
Starts with R, ends with BRIB→
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 20, 2025?+
78 clues: 38 Across and 40 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Adam Aaronson and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Apple tablet (IPAD); Facing the pitcher (ATBAT); Time to blow out the candles on a cake, informally (BDAY).
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.
