NYT Crossword hints and answer for September 25, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues70
Across35
Down35
ConstructorRafael Musa
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
Olympic slalom equipment (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECANOE→
6A
Spanish sparkling wine (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACAVA→
10A
First, second or third (4)
Starts with G, ends with RGEAR→
14A
"For real!" (10)
Starts with I, ends with TIKIDYOUNOT→
16A
Fictional company famous for its duds (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACME→
17A
Outcome of a match, maybe (10)
Starts with T, ends with ETINDERDATE→
18A
Forum setting (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROME→
19A
U2 producer Brian (3)
Starts with E, ends with OENO→
20A
Stew on it! (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELADLE→
21A
Like a whodunit in which the butler did it [duh!] (5)
Starts with B, ends with LBANAL→
22A
Device seen on a front desk (4)
Starts with B, ends with LBELL→
23A
Ho Chi Minh City's former name (6)
Starts with S, ends with NSAIGON→
25A
Exploit a loophole, e.g. (13)
Starts with G, ends with MGAMETHESYSTEM→
29A
Disinclined (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAVERSE→
30A
Supermodel Alek (3)
Starts with W, ends with KWEK→
31A
___ one's time (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBIDE→
34A
Procedure after which you might wear flip-flops, informally (4)
Starts with P, ends with IPEDI→
37A
___ Minor (4)
Starts with A, ends with AASIA→
38A
Pen that isn't used for writing, in brief (4)
Starts with E, ends with GECIG→
39A
"Karma is a cat / Purring in my ___ 'cause it loves me" (Taylor Swift lyric) (3)
Starts with L, ends with PLAP→
40A
Port on the Loire (6)
Starts with N, ends with SNANTES→
42A
"Speaking of which ..." (13)
Starts with T, ends with ETHATREMINDSME→
45A
Like an earworm (6)
Starts with C, ends with YCATCHY→
46A
Play group (4)
Starts with A, ends with SACTS→
47A
Not bother (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELETBE→
48A
Rapper and actor Smith (5)
Starts with J, ends with NJADEN→
50A
Go-to doc (3)
Starts with P, ends with PPCP→
53A
Actress Shawkat (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALIA→
54A
Ones providing brief assistance? (10)
Starts with P, ends with SPARALEGALS→
56A
Alliance (4)
Starts with B, ends with CBLOC→
57A
Invasive plants? (10)
Starts with E, ends with SENEMYSPIES→
58A
One might be meat-only or dairy-only in a kosher household (4)
Starts with S, ends with KSINK→
59A
Morsels often found in fried rice (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPEAS→
60A
The Devil's domain (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTAROT→
Down
1D
Give credit to, in a way (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECITE→
2D
Analogous (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAKIN→
3D
___ Sarratore, "My Brilliant Friend" character (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONINO→
4D
"How ___" (3)
Starts with O, ends with DODD→
5D
Certain loopholes (7)
Starts with E, ends with SEYELETS→
6D
Spoon, e.g. (6)
Starts with C, ends with ECUDDLE→
7D
Second Freudian stage (4)
Starts with A, ends with LANAL→
8D
Gives one's approval, in a way (8)
Starts with V, ends with SVOTESYES→
9D
Past-tense verb that becomes its present tense when you move its last letter to the front (3)
Starts with A, ends with EATE→
10D
Sources of some rock (11)
Starts with G, ends with SGARAGEBANDS→
11D
Some experts of interest? (10)
Starts with E, ends with SECONOMISTS→
12D
World capital once known as Philadelphia (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAMMAN→
13D
Instagram : ___ :: YouTube : Short (4)
Starts with R, ends with LREEL→
15D
Focus for the foul-mouthed? (10)
Starts with O, ends with HORALHEALTH→
22D
"Hang on a sec" (11)
Starts with B, ends with KBERIGHTBACK→
24D
Says "please," say (10)
Starts with A, ends with YASKSNICELY→
25D
Look stunned (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGAPE→
26D
"___ plaisir" ("You're welcome," in French) (4)
Starts with A, ends with CAVEC→
27D
Breathtaking activity? (10)
Starts with M, ends with NMEDITATION→
28D
Take without paying ... or a motion made while paying (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESWIPE→
32D
Per ___ (4)
Starts with D, ends with MDIEM→
33D
Slip (into) (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEASE→
41D
Residence that can have thousands of chambers (7)
Starts with A, ends with TANTNEST→
43D
Unreturnable pickleball shot (3)
Starts with A, ends with EACE→
44D
Polite titles (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMADAMS→
45D
Instruments in chamber groups (5)
Starts with C, ends with ICELLI→
47D
Discovery sites (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLABS→
49D
What's distorted in a Mercator projection (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAREA→
50D
Part of a full house (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPAIR→
51D
Ptolemaic royal, familiarly (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCLEO→
52D
Poke alternative (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPSST→
55D
Transcript fig. (3)
Starts with G, ends with AGPA→
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 25, 2026?+
70 clues: 35 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Rafael Musa and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Olympic slalom equipment (CANOE); Spanish sparkling wine (CAVA); First, second or third (GEAR).
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.
