NYT Crossword hints and answer for October 20, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
ConstructorDavid Falkowski
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
Las ___, Canary Islands (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPALMAS→
7A
Device with an addictive aerosol, for short (4)
Starts with E, ends with GECIG→
11A
Plant, as seeds (3)
Starts with S, ends with WSOW→
14A
Laid back (6)
Starts with A, ends with EATEASE→
15A
"Hello ___" (smartphone tagline) (4)
Starts with M, ends with OMOTO→
16A
"That's terrible!" (3)
Starts with U, ends with HUGH→
17A
Campfire cookout, informally (11)
Starts with W, ends with TWEENIEROAST→
19A
Crafty (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSLY→
20A
Jake ___, 1980 Oscar-winning role for Robert De Niro (7)
Starts with L, ends with ALAMOTTA→
21A
[Hey, I can hear you, you know] (4)
Starts with A, ends with MAHEM→
22A
Criticize very harshly (4)
Starts with F, ends with YFLAY→
25A
Old-time winter excursion (10)
Starts with S, ends with ESLEIGHRIDE→
27A
Loosey-goosey (3)
Starts with L, ends with XLAX→
28A
Not yet posted, in brief (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATBA→
29A
Bit in a nutrition bar (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOAT→
30A
Flattering lines? (3)
Starts with O, ends with EODE→
31A
Indian yogurt dish (5)
Starts with R, ends with ARAITA→
34A
Susceptible to bribery (5)
Starts with V, ends with LVENAL→
38A
"Seriously, though ..." or a hint to 17-, 25-, 48- and 58-Across (15)
Starts with A, ends with EALLKIDDINGASIDE→
41A
Unit of magnetic flux density (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATESLA→
42A
One who says "Hell if I know!"? (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSATAN→
43A
Subtle greeting (3)
Starts with N, ends with DNOD→
44A
Letter-shaped part of a blueprint (3)
Starts with E, ends with LELL→
46A
Part of every day, in Italy (3)
Starts with O, ends with AORA→
47A
Improvised instrument in folk music (3)
Starts with J, ends with GJUG→
48A
Pugilist's pain point, perhaps (10)
Starts with B, ends with BBRUISEDRIB→
53A
Serious aversion (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHATE→
55A
Farm storage building (7)
Starts with G, ends with YGRANARY→
57A
Short-term job (3)
Starts with G, ends with GGIG→
58A
Seattle landmark from which Mount Rainier can be seen (11)
Starts with S, ends with ESPACENEEDLE→
62A
Exploit (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUSE→
63A
What a dawdler may need to pick up, with "the" (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPACE→
64A
Further out there (6)
Starts with Z, ends with RZANIER→
65A
Flanders of "The Simpsons" (3)
Starts with N, ends with DNED→
66A
Dust-ups (4)
Starts with A, ends with SADOS→
67A
Loud speaker, maybe (6)
Starts with O, ends with RORATOR→
Down
1D
What's shaken in the order to "Shake!" (3)
Starts with P, ends with WPAW→
2D
Filled up on (3)
Starts with A, ends with EATE→
3D
Gymnast Suni (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELEE→
4D
Virile (5)
Starts with M, ends with YMANLY→
5D
It's west of the Bering Strait (4)
Starts with A, ends with AASIA→
6D
Appears to be going down the drain (8)
Starts with S, ends with DSEEMSBAD→
7D
Overact (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEMOTE→
8D
Mammal with a long ringed tail (5)
Starts with C, ends with ICOATI→
9D
"We're on!" (6)
Starts with I, ends with OITSAGO→
10D
Tricked (3)
Starts with G, ends with TGOT→
11D
Dish with vinegared rice (5)
Starts with S, ends with ISUSHI→
12D
Eyed lustfully (5)
Starts with O, ends with DOGLED→
13D
Question exclaimed after misfortune (5)
Starts with W, ends with EWHYME→
18D
One way to spell relief, per ads (7)
Starts with R, ends with SROLAIDS→
21D
Crafts, in Córdoba (5)
Starts with A, ends with SARTES→
22D
Part of a homecoming parade (5)
Starts with F, ends with TFLOAT→
23D
Big scoop (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELADLE→
24D
Leaps for Michelle Kwan (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAXELS→
26D
Fine cigar (6)
Starts with H, ends with AHAVANA→
28D
Hardships (6)
Starts with T, ends with STRIALS→
32D
Madre's hermana (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATIA→
33D
French author ___ de Saint-Exupéry (7)
Starts with A, ends with EANTOINE→
35D
Stealthy spy with a blowgun (5)
Starts with N, ends with ANINJA→
36D
It may follow deuce (5)
Starts with A, ends with TADOUT→
37D
Overlook (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELEDGE→
39D
Designer Calvin (5)
Starts with K, ends with NKLEIN→
40D
Hummus bean (8)
Starts with G, ends with OGARBANZO→
45D
Piece of goalie gear (6)
Starts with L, ends with DLEGPAD→
48D
Started (5)
Starts with B, ends with NBEGUN→
49D
Not leave a bet as is (5)
Starts with R, ends with ERAISE→
50D
Gave a push (5)
Starts with U, ends with DURGED→
51D
"Fire-breather" in the night sky (5)
Starts with D, ends with ODRACO→
52D
Relays and rallies (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRACES→
53D
Shenzi in "The Lion King," e.g. (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHYENA→
56D
Bottom (4)
Starts with R, ends with RREAR→
58D
Luxury resort amenity (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASPA→
59D
Relatively short Morse code bit (3)
Starts with D, ends with TDIT→
60D
Sign of summer (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLEO→
61D
Blunder (3)
Starts with E, ends with RERR→
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, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by David Falkowski and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Las ___, Canary Islands (PALMAS); Device with an addictive aerosol, for short (ECIG); Plant, as seeds (SOW).
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.
