NYT Crossword hints and answer for September 18, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues68
Across33
Down35
ConstructorRyan Mathiason
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
Server's warning at a restaurant (6)
Starts with I, ends with TITSHOT→
7A
Moved along (to) (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSEGUED→
13A
Modern tech aid whose design was inspired by a Go board (6)
Starts with Q, ends with EQRCODE→
14A
Figuratively speaking (7)
Starts with S, ends with YSOTOSAY→
15A
Begin to boil (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSEERED→
16A
Insects named for when they emerge (8)
Starts with J, ends with SJUNEBUGS→
17A
Breaks off (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENDS→
18A
Water containers (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDAMS→
19A
Dinosaur in Pixar's "The Good Dinosaur" (4)
Starts with A, ends with OARLO→
20A
Four-time N.B.A. All-Star Young (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETRAE→
21A
Line at an Apple Store (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMACS→
22A
Permanent, perhaps (5)
Starts with I, ends with NINPEN→
23A
Contents of some pockets (3)
Starts with A, ends with RAIR→
24A
Yell sharply (4)
Starts with B, ends with KBARK→
25A
Org. whose events are typically held at clubs (3)
Starts with P, ends with APGA→
26A
Country club? (13)
Starts with U, ends with SUNITEDNATIONS→
30A
Defensive effort in the red zone (13)
Starts with G, ends with DGOALLINESTAND→
32A
Not everyone agrees on this (13)
Starts with S, ends with NSPLITDECISION→
34A
Ball girl (3)
Starts with D, ends with BDEB→
35A
"Big Brother" host Julie (4)
Starts with C, ends with NCHEN→
36A
Org. concerned with traffic (3)
Starts with F, ends with AFAA→
37A
Ones catching rays, perhaps? (5)
Starts with O, ends with SORCAS→
40A
Two in a row? (4)
Starts with F, ends with SFOES→
41A
Places to buy buckets, familiarly (4)
Starts with K, ends with SKFCS→
42A
Common plant for a "plant mom" (4)
Starts with F, ends with NFERN→
43A
Long-bodied fish (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPIKE→
44A
Cookie contents (4)
Starts with D, ends with ADATA→
45A
Not together, in a way (8)
Starts with A, ends with EALACARTE→
47A
"Is that a challenge?!" (6)
Starts with D, ends with EDAREME→
49A
Some features of backyard landscaping (7)
Starts with G, ends with SGAZEBOS→
50A
"I'll be right with you" (6)
Starts with O, ends with CONESEC→
51A
Gave the once-over (6)
Starts with E, ends with PEYEDUP→
52A
"Don't believe me? Just watch!" (6)
Starts with C, ends with OCANTOO→
Down
1D
Brightness measures, in brief (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIQS→
2D
Element of a dating profile? (8)
Starts with T, ends with GTREERING→
3D
Potential outcomes (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSCENARIOS→
5D
___ of Solomon, literary collection written in the first or second century (4)
Starts with O, ends with SODES→
6D
Sci-fi writer Chiang (3)
Starts with T, ends with DTED→
7D
"&" follower, in some business names (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSONS→
8D
When much rainy weather occurs in Côte d'Ivoire (3)
Starts with E, ends with EETE→
9D
Flip (9)
Starts with G, ends with SGOBANANAS→
11D
High-ranking scout (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEAGLE→
12D
Company whose products suck (5)
Starts with D, ends with NDYSON→
14D
Additional schoolwork? (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSUMS→
16D
Simple cocktail named for two brands (11)
Starts with J, ends with EJACKANDCOKE→
18D
"Phooey!" (6)
Starts with D, ends with TDARNIT→
20D
Torque symbol, in physics (3)
Starts with T, ends with UTAU→
21D
Bit of nonsense writing that typically gets a laugh (6)
Starts with M, ends with BMADLIB→
22D
Delighted cry upon receiving an acceptance (6)
Starts with I, ends with NIGOTIN→
24D
Ball girls (6)
Starts with B, ends with SBELLES→
25D
Leap day baby, e.g. (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPISCES→
27D
Clicked with a partner? (9)
Starts with T, ends with DTAPDANCED→
28D
Snicker (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETEEHEE→
29D
Simple check for freshness (9)
Starts with S, ends with TSNIFFTEST→
31D
Act like yourself, perhaps? (8)
Starts with D, ends with ODOACAMEO→
33D
Nasty ___ (noted rap moniker) (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNAS→
37D
Not in the minority? (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOFAGE→
38D
It often has four legs (5)
Starts with R, ends with YRELAY→
39D
Fidget spinners or Angry Birds, once (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECRAZE→
40D
Give ___ (cause consternation in) (4)
Starts with F, ends with SFITS→
41D
Character played by Rashida Jones on "The Office" (5)
Starts with K, ends with NKAREN→
43D
Set piece (4)
Starts with P, ends with PPROP→
44D
Longtime U.F.C. C.E.O. ___ White (4)
Starts with D, ends with ADANA→
46D
Aladdin's sidekick (3)
Starts with A, ends with UABU→
47D
Many a nonfiction Oscar nominee, informally (3)
Starts with D, ends with CDOC→
48D
Lead-in to "lab" in the name of an S&P 500 company (3)
Starts with E, ends with OECO→
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 18, 2026?+
68 clues: 33 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Ryan Mathiason and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Server's warning at a restaurant (ITSHOT); Moved along (to) (SEGUED); Modern tech aid whose design was inspired by a Go board (QRCODE).
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.
