NYT Crossword hints and answer for October 26, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
ConstructorKevin Christian and Andrea Carla Michaels
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
Mimicking (5)
Starts with A, ends with GAPING→
6A
Altered mortgage, for short (4)
Starts with R, ends with IREFI→
10A
"___ Abner" of old comics (3)
Starts with L, ends with LLIL→
13A
Washer cycle after "wash" (5)
Starts with R, ends with ERINSE→
14A
___ White, three-time Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSHAUN→
15A
Wedding vow (3)
Starts with I, ends with OIDO→
16A
Walled area for a racket sport (11)
Starts with S, ends with TSQUASHCOURT→
18A
Aunt, in Tijuana (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATIA→
19A
"___ Lips Are Sealed" (1981 Go-Go's hit) (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROUR→
20A
Little hopper (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTOAD→
21A
"It's boiling in here!" (5)
Starts with I, ends with TIMHOT→
23A
Food, water or shelter (4)
Starts with N, ends with DNEED→
25A
Band with the 1999 triple-platinum hit "All Star" (10)
Starts with S, ends with HSMASHMOUTH→
28A
Political connections (3)
Starts with I, ends with SINS→
30A
"Laughing" beast (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHYENA→
31A
Sonnets and such (5)
Starts with P, ends with YPOESY→
34A
Partner of gloom (4)
Starts with D, ends with MDOOM→
36A
Break off suddenly (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSNAP→
39A
"Pretty please? I won't ask again" (15)
Starts with J, ends with EJUSTTHISONETIME→
42A
"Absolutely, amigo!" (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISISI→
43A
Kids' fun run length, for short (4)
Starts with O, ends with KONEK→
44A
Have a knee-jerk response, perhaps (5)
Starts with R, ends with TREACT→
45A
Something acute or obtuse (5)
Starts with A, ends with EANGLE→
47A
Dinghy thingy (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROAR→
48A
Played mind games with (10)
Starts with P, ends with TPSYCHEDOUT→
52A
Post-Christmas event (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESALE→
56A
Game with numbered balls (5)
Starts with L, ends with OLOTTO→
57A
"The ___ thickens" (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPLOT→
59A
Beantown home team, informally (3)
Starts with S, ends with XSOX→
60A
"I am the eggman. They ___ the eggmen …" (Beatles lyric) (3)
Starts with A, ends with EARE→
61A
All over the place … or a hint to the circled letters in 16-, 25-, 39- and 48-Across (11)
Starts with S, ends with TSCATTERSHOT→
65A
Word before "a bird," "a plane" and "Superman!" (3)
Starts with I, ends with SITS→
66A
Actress Shire of the "Godfather" trilogy (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATALIA→
67A
"Old MacDonald" refrain (5)
Starts with E, ends with OEIEIO→
68A
___ King Cole (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNAT→
69A
Contract detail, informally (4)
Starts with S, ends with CSPEC→
70A
Painter's stand (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEASEL→
Down
1D
Firing offense? (5)
Starts with A, ends with NARSON→
2D
Arouse, as interest (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPIQUE→
3D
Make accustomed (to) (5)
Starts with I, ends with EINURE→
4D
Hush-hush D.C. org. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANSA→
5D
Bit of derring-do (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGEST→
6D
"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" spinoff (5)
Starts with R, ends with ARHODA→
7D
All-vowel French 101 word (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEAU→
8D
Sable or mink (3)
Starts with F, ends with RFUR→
9D
Before the deadline (6)
Starts with I, ends with EINTIME→
10D
Vilnius is its capital (9)
Starts with L, ends with ALITHUANIA→
11D
No-brainer? (5)
Starts with I, ends with TIDIOT→
12D
Reluctant (to) (5)
Starts with L, ends with HLOATH→
14D
Phishing scheme, e.g. (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSCAM→
17D
Brother on TV's "Bonanza" (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHOSS→
22D
Bogeymen (8)
Starts with M, ends with SMONSTERS→
24D
Having a sharp outline (8)
Starts with D, ends with TDISTINCT→
26D
"All ___ Up" (Elvis #1 hit) (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSHOOK→
27D
It's sung in praise (4)
Starts with H, ends with NHYMN→
29D
Manhattan-based media org. (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNYT→
31D
Bedwear, in brief (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPJS→
32D
All-vowel French 101 word (3)
Starts with O, ends with IOUI→
33D
Blue-book event (9)
Starts with E, ends with TESSAYTEST→
34D
Partner of wined (5)
Starts with D, ends with DDINED→
35D
Suffix for some sugars (3)
Starts with O, ends with EOSE→
37D
"Better Call Saul" network (3)
Starts with A, ends with CAMC→
38D
___ peeve (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPET→
40D
Reason to give a darn? (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHOLE→
41D
1970s feminist cause, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
46D
Ends a relationship with by suddenly cutting off communication (6)
Starts with G, ends with SGHOSTS→
47D
Central Plains tribe (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOTOE→
48D
Without any toppings (5)
Starts with P, ends with NPLAIN→
49D
To a degree, informally (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASORTA→
50D
Of the eyes (5)
Starts with O, ends with COPTIC→
51D
Big name in cosmetics (4)
Starts with U, ends with AULTA→
53D
Grill residue (5)
Starts with A, ends with SASHES→
54D
Sergeant's superior, slangily (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELOOIE→
55D
Praise to the skies (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEXTOL→
58D
Word with family or fir (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETREE→
62D
One may be twist-off (3)
Starts with C, ends with PCAP→
63D
Pub pint, perhaps (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
64D
One-named "Chandelier" singer (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASIA→
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 26, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Kevin Christian and Andrea Carla Michaels and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Mimicking (APING); Altered mortgage, for short (REFI); "___ Abner" of old comics (LIL).
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.
