NYT Crossword hints and answer for September 13, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues160
Across80
Down80
TitleThinking Inside the Box
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
Less injurious (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSAFER→
6A
Showed some real malice toward (6)
Starts with S, ends with TSPATAT→
12A
Mideast currency (5)
Starts with D, ends with RDINAR→
17A
Landscaper's timesaver (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSOD→
20A
"Well, how about that?!" (5)
Starts with I, ends with EILLBE→
21A
Practice taught in a dojo (6)
Starts with K, ends with EKARATE→
22A
Combined (5)
Starts with I, ends with EINONE→
23A
Computer's "brain," in brief (3)
Starts with C, ends with UCPU→
24A
Certain group of orchestral winds (12)
Starts with F, ends with NFLUTESECTION→
26A
Large insect named from Greek myth (9)
Starts with A, ends with HATLASMOTH→
29A
Hook for a newspaper article (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELEDE→
30A
Forerunners of CDs (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLPS→
31A
New start? (3)
Starts with N, ends with ONEO→
32A
Nautical lever (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROAR→
33A
"De dónde ___ tú?" ("Where are you from?": Sp.) (4)
Starts with E, ends with SERES→
35A
Rope in (5)
Starts with L, ends with OLASSO→
37A
Mechanic's offering (10)
Starts with C, ends with ECARSERVICE→
41A
Told, as a story (7)
Starts with R, ends with DRELATED→
43A
Special offer (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPROMO→
46A
Turn from solid to liquid (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMELT→
47A
Diamond, e.g. (3)
Starts with G, ends with MGEM→
48A
Santa Fe automaker (7)
Starts with H, ends with IHYUNDAI→
50A
Two of them make up a diameter (5)
Starts with R, ends with IRADII→
52A
Chilling (6)
Starts with A, ends with EATEASE→
54A
Frat ___ (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBRO→
56A
Sharp nail (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTALON→
57A
Group project on a winter's day, perhaps (12)
Starts with G, ends with NGIANTSNOWMAN→
59A
What snobby people put on (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAIRS→
61A
___ Simmons, founding member of Kiss (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGENE→
62A
Missouri airport code (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSTL→
63A
Highly anomalous (5)
Starts with W, ends with DWEIRD→
64A
Distraction-limiting lifestyle trend (8)
Starts with M, ends with EMONKMODE→
66A
[24-Across] (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSTEM→
70A
Rake in (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEARN→
72A
Enthusiastic response to "Who's ready?" (3)
Starts with I, ends with MIAM→
73A
[37-Across] (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITAXI→
74A
Celebration between Xmas and M.L.K. Day (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENYE→
75A
Classic Dalmatian name (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSPOT→
79A
"Am I invisible or what?!" (8)
Starts with N, ends with ENOTICEME→
84A
[41-Across] (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAKIN→
85A
Airport screening org. (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATSA→
86A
Another name for Vishnu, translating to "the remover" (4)
Starts with H, ends with IHARI→
87A
Broadway's "Dear ___ Hansen" (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEVAN→
88A
Mellow, in a way (3)
Starts with Z, ends with NZEN→
89A
[57-Across] (4)
Starts with Y, ends with IYETI→
90A
Prompts to play, while conducting (6)
Starts with C, ends with NCUESIN→
92A
Largest zodiac constellation (5)
Starts with V, ends with OVIRGO→
94A
Privacy doc (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANDA→
96A
Material in reusable diapers (5)
Starts with C, ends with HCLOTH→
99A
Rihanna song with the lyric "Please, someone help me" (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSOS→
100A
Tonsil doc (3)
Starts with E, ends with TENT→
101A
Baby fox (3)
Starts with K, ends with TKIT→
103A
Pioneering premium channel (3)
Starts with H, ends with OHBO→
106A
Pole, e.g. (4)
Starts with S, ends with VSLAV→
107A
Advantageous (5)
Starts with U, ends with EUTILE→
109A
Qualm (11)
Starts with R, ends with NRESERVATION→
112A
Plot feature of "Planet of the Apes" (10)
Starts with T, ends with LTIMETRAVEL→
114A
Casals who popularized Bach's cello suites (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPABLO→
115A
Suitable (11)
Starts with A, ends with EAPPROPRIATE→
117A
Source of the word "tuk-tuk" used for a motorized rickshaw (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITHAI→
120A
Crumb carriers (4)
Starts with A, ends with SANTS→
122A
"What ___ we doing?" (3)
Starts with A, ends with EARE→
123A
Took a load off (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSAT→
124A
Cousins of cobras (4)
Starts with A, ends with SASPS→
127A
"Good job!" (7)
Starts with W, ends with OWAYTOGO→
129A
Absorbent (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPOROUS→
132A
Cell network letters (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELTE→
134A
Co-Stooge of Larry (3)
Starts with M, ends with EMOE→
135A
Reply to "Nuh-uh!" (5)
Starts with I, ends with OISTOO→
136A
1990s exercise fad (5)
Starts with T, ends with OTAEBO→
138A
Descended with rappelling ropes (10)
Starts with S, ends with NSCALEDDOWN→
141A
Step forcefully (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSTOMP→
142A
Alternative to a username when logging in (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEMAIL→
143A
1,000,000,000 years (3)
Starts with E, ends with NEON→
145A
Builds muscle (5)
Starts with T, ends with STONES→
146A
Period of letting loose (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPREE→
147A
Abbr. after some business names (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLTD→
148A
Looks of contempt (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSNEERS→
Down
1D
Flour de-clumper (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSIFTER→
2D
Intriguing appeal (6)
Starts with A, ends with EALLURE→
3D
Cornet lookalike (10)
Starts with F, ends with NFLUGELHORN→
4D
Food assistance syst. (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEBT→
5D
Easily recite, with "off" (4)
Starts with R, ends with LREEL→
6D
Scampered away (10)
Starts with S, ends with DSKEDADDLED→
7D
Walks nervously, in a way (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPACES→
8D
Jazz drummer Blakey (3)
Starts with A, ends with TART→
9D
Customize (to) (6)
Starts with T, ends with RTAILOR→
11D
Stunners, so to speak (4)
Starts with T, ends with STENS→
12D
William and Harry's mum (5)
Starts with D, ends with ADIANA→
13D
Occasional (12)
Starts with I, ends with TINTERMITTENT→
14D
Like choices that can't turn out that badly (6)
Starts with N, ends with ENOLOSE→
15D
Japan's largest carrier (3)
Starts with A, ends with AANA→
16D
Locale with many seasonal businesses (10)
Starts with R, ends with NRESORTTOWN→
17D
Previously unseen sporting result (term coined in 2014) (9)
Starts with S, ends with ISCORIGAMI→
18D
Pick, with "for" (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOPT→
19D
"That's obvious!" (3)
Starts with D, ends with HDUH→
25D
Mabel Mora's portrayer on "Only Murders in the Building" (11)
Starts with S, ends with ZSELENAGOMEZ→
27D
Dallas baller (3)
Starts with M, ends with VMAV→
34D
Use your words? (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSAY→
36D
Central support (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPINE→
37D
Concluding passage, in music (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACODA→
38D
Enthusiasm (4)
Starts with E, ends with NELAN→
39D
French film award (5)
Starts with C, ends with RCESAR→
40D
Reword, perhaps (5)
Starts with E, ends with DEMEND→
42D
Child king of Egypt (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTUT→
44D
URL ender for many nonprofits (3)
Starts with O, ends with GORG→
45D
___ tai (3)
Starts with M, ends with IMAI→
51D
Hookups (3)
Starts with I, ends with SINS→
53D
Isle of ___ (Scottish locale whose name sounds like an expression of endearment) (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEWE→
54D
Sound of impact (3)
Starts with B, ends with MBAM→
55D
Home of the Christ the Redeemer statue (3)
Starts with R, ends with ORIO→
58D
Brings the house down, like a comic (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSLAYS→
60D
Moving between the poles? (6)
Starts with S, ends with GSKIING→
65D
Computer covered by AppleCare (3)
Starts with M, ends with CMAC→
66D
[109-Across] (4)
Starts with S, ends with YSTAY→
67D
[115-Across] (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETAKE→
68D
[127-Across] (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEXIT→
69D
[138-Across] (4)
Starts with M, ends with IMINI→
71D
What acids do when mixed with bases (5)
Starts with R, ends with TREACT→
75D
___-wolf (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESHE→
76D
Secondhand lung irritant (12)
Starts with P, ends with EPASSIVESMOKE→
77D
Bird whose name comes from the Latin for "golden" (6)
Starts with O, ends with EORIOLE→
78D
Glittery holiday strands (6)
Starts with T, ends with LTINSEL→
79D
Not even once (5)
Starts with N, ends with RNEVER→
80D
Sheeplike (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOVINE→
81D
Pastries that can be very sweet, ironically (5)
Starts with T, ends with STARTS→
82D
Tucked-away observations (11)
Starts with M, ends with SMENTALNOTES→
83D
Conclude (3)
Starts with E, ends with DEND→
91D
Shipmate of Spock (5)
Starts with U, ends with AUHURA→
93D
Pods in bhindi masala (4)
Starts with O, ends with AOKRA→
95D
Yellowfin tuna (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAHI→
96D
Advertising award (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCLIO→
97D
Home décor options (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLAMPS→
98D
As a whole (7)
Starts with O, ends with LOVERALL→
102D
Hookup during infusion therapy, in brief (5)
Starts with I, ends with GIVBAG→
104D
Mardi Gras accessory (3)
Starts with B, ends with ABOA→
105D
Released with conditions (8)
Starts with O, ends with EONPAROLE→
106D
Topping for an apple crisp (8)
Starts with S, ends with LSTREUSEL→
108D
"Toodles!" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATATA→
110D
Embodiment (7)
Starts with E, ends with EEPITOME→
111D
Young 'un (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTOT→
113D
Snickers (7)
Starts with T, ends with STITTERS→
116D
Expert (3)
Starts with P, ends with OPRO→
117D
Soft-serve request (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTWIST→
119D
Deandre ___, N.B.A. center who was picked first in the 2018 draft (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAYTON→
121D
Weapon used by some chimpanzees (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSPEAR→
125D
Lead-in to grid or play (5)
Starts with P, ends with RPOWER→
126D
Puts in the mail (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSENDS→
128D
"My bad!" (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOOPS→
130D
Off Broadway award (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOBIE→
131D
___-free (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSCOT→
133D
Heaven on earth (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEDEN→
137D
Boomer at a concert (3)
Starts with A, ends with PAMP→
139D
It's sometimes shortened to the letter "N" (3)
Starts with A, ends with DAND→
140D
Dennis's sister on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDEE→
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 September 13, 2026?+
160 clues: 80 Across and 80 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Henry Lin-David and Frank S. David and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Less injurious (SAFER); Showed some real malice toward (SPATAT); Mideast currency (DINAR).
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.
