NYT Crossword hints and answer for September 17, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues83
Across39
Down44
ConstructorJackson Matz
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
State trees of North Dakota (4)
Starts with E, ends with SELMS→
5A
Ditto, in footnotes (4)
Starts with I, ends with MIDEM→
9A
Measure (up) (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSTACK→
14A
First in a line of 14 popes (4)
Starts with L, ends with ILEOI→
15A
Some garage jobs (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLUBES→
17A
Olympian Strug (5)
Starts with K, ends with IKERRI→
18A
Start of a joke (10)
Starts with K, ends with KKNOCKKNOCK→
20A
Elder brother of Moses (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAARON→
21A
Brand whose name is derived from the French phrase "sans caféine" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASANKA→
22A
Perfectly pitched? (5)
Starts with N, ends with TNOHIT→
24A
Sound effect in a slapstick routine (4)
Starts with B, ends with KBONK→
25A
One might hit it or raise it, metaphorically (4)
Starts with R, ends with FROOF→
27A
Vodka cocktails with orange liqueur and lime juice (9)
Starts with K, ends with SKAMIKAZES→
29A
Awakening (7)
Starts with A, ends with LAROUSAL→
32A
World Cup champs of 1978, 1986 and 2022: Abbr. (3)
Starts with A, ends with GARG→
33A
Knowing what not to say, say (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTACT→
34A
Regional life forms (5)
Starts with B, ends with ABIOTA→
38A
Kitchen appliance brand (5)
Starts with O, ends with ROSTER→
42A
Cry of dismay (3)
Starts with A, ends with KACK→
43A
45A
"Fat chance!" (3)
Starts with H, ends with HHAH→
46A
Classroom assignments (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDESKS→
48A
Encouraged, with "on" (5)
Starts with E, ends with DEGGED→
49A
Very pressing (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDIRE→
52A
One-named Barbadian superstar (7)
Starts with R, ends with ARIHANNA→
54A
Title nickname in a classic 1984 sports film (9)
Starts with K, ends with DKARATEKID→
60A
Time when streetlights turn on (4)
Starts with D, ends with KDUSK→
61A
"All right already, I'll do it!" (4)
Starts with O, ends with KOKOK→
62A
Punk or funk (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGENRE→
64A
Joined, as a table (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSATAT→
67A
Edmonton athlete (5)
Starts with O, ends with ROILER→
69A
Trinket (10)
Starts with K, ends with KKNICKKNACK→
71A
Swedish coin (5)
Starts with K, ends with AKRONA→
72A
Nursery song refrain (5)
Starts with E, ends with OEIEIO→
73A
Really loving (4)
Starts with I, ends with OINTO→
74A
Like a smart aleck (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSASSY→
75A
Pushing against a boundary … like this answer? (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEDGY→
76A
"Shreds," in winter sports lingo (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSKIS→
Down
1D
___ Club (4)
Starts with E, ends with SELKS→
2D
Actress Dunham (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALENA→
3D
Apollo mission mementos (9)
Starts with M, ends with SMOONROCKS→
4D
Alternative to a strike [cough cough] (7)
Starts with S, ends with TSICKOUT→
5D
Variety (3)
Starts with I, ends with KILK→
6D
Brooks & ___ (country duo) (4)
Starts with D, ends with NDUNN→
7D
Literary download (5)
Starts with E, ends with KEBOOK→
8D
Anime style involving giant robots (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMECHA→
9D
Rocksteady precursor (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASKA→
10D
Soothing home remedy for puffy eyes (7)
Starts with T, ends with STEABAGS→
11D
Spanish rice (5)
Starts with A, ends with ZARROZ→
12D
Sorcerous elder of folklore (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECRONE→
13D
Garden hose problems (5)
Starts with K, ends with SKINKS→
16D
Go over lightly (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSKIM→
19D
Enemy agency in "Get Smart" (4)
Starts with K, ends with SKAOS→
23D
___ Maria (liqueur) (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATIA→
26D
Beatles sobriquet (4)
Starts with F, ends with 4FAB4→
28D
See 68-Down (4)
Starts with K, ends with CKROC→
29D
Slightly (4)
Starts with A, ends with DATAD→
30D
Go pit-a-pat (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERACE→
35D
Texter's "!!!" (3)
Starts with O, ends with GOMG→
36D
Make "it," in a kids' game (3)
Starts with T, ends with GTAG→
37D
Ripening agent (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAGER→
39D
Body of policy advisers (9)
Starts with T, ends with KTHINKTANK→
40D
Take home (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEARN→
41D
Bird named for a Titan (4)
Starts with R, ends with ARHEA→
43D
Like a 6-3, 6-1 tennis match (4)
Starts with 2, ends with T2SET→
44D
Contrite answer to "Who put the empty ice cream carton back in the freezer?" (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIDID→
47D
Legendary sea monsters (7)
Starts with K, ends with SKRAKENS→
49D
Some bottled waters (7)
Starts with D, ends with SDASANIS→
51D
String tightener on a guitar (3)
Starts with P, ends with GPEG→
53D
Ear covering (4)
Starts with H, ends with KHUSK→
54D
Screwballs (5)
Starts with K, ends with SKOOKS→
55D
Director Kurosawa (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAKIRA→
56D
Caramel-filled candies (5)
Starts with R, ends with SROLOS→
57D
Actress Palmer of "Nope" (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKEKE→
58D
Outie's counterpart (5)
Starts with I, ends with EINNIE→
59D
Hung on the clothesline (5)
Starts with D, ends with DDRIED→
63D
Vape pen, informally (4)
Starts with E, ends with GECIG→
65D
When Hamilton arrives in New York City, in "Hamilton" (4)
Starts with A, ends with IACTI→
66D
Some ring decisions, in brief (4)
Starts with T, ends with STKOS→
68D
With 28-Down, longtime McDonald's chief (3)
Starts with R, ends with YRAY→
70D
Comedian Jo (3)
Starts with K, ends with YKOY→
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 17, 2025?+
83 clues: 39 Across and 44 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Jackson Matz and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: State trees of North Dakota (ELMS); Ditto, in footnotes (IDEM); Measure (up) (STACK).
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.
