NYT Crossword hints and answer for September 28, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across38
Down40
ConstructorHelen Chen
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
Widespread disorder (5)
Starts with H, ends with CHAVOC→
6A
Like the exteriors of armadillos (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSCALY→
11A
Fall behind in payments (3)
Starts with O, ends with EOWE→
14A
Boxing locale (5)
Starts with A, ends with AARENA→
15A
Classic radio song (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOLDIE→
16A
Dessert with a crust (3)
Starts with P, ends with EPIE→
17A
Solid baseball hit (5)
Starts with L, ends with RLINER→
18A
Complete shocker (9)
Starts with B, ends with LBOMBSHELL→
20A
Bicycle built for two (6)
Starts with T, ends with MTANDEM→
22A
Round Table title (3)
Starts with S, ends with RSIR→
23A
"___ time will tell" (4)
Starts with O, ends with YONLY→
24A
Prefix with physics or thermal (3)
Starts with G, ends with OGEO→
25A
Make into law (5)
Starts with E, ends with TENACT→
27A
Alternative to French fries (9)
Starts with T, ends with STATERTOTS→
31A
Skill needed to solve sudoku (5)
Starts with L, ends with CLOGIC→
35A
Suffix with fail or forfeit (3)
Starts with U, ends with EURE→
36A
Apple platform (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIOS→
37A
"Time flies like an [50-Down]; fruit flies like a ___" (6)
Starts with B, ends with ABANANA→
38A
41A
See 38-Across (7)
Starts with H, ends with NHOMERUN→
42A
Coconut Girl Scout cookies (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSAMOAS→
43A
"La Cage ___ Folles" (3)
Starts with A, ends with XAUX→
44A
Frat member (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBRO→
45A
Liability's opposite (5)
Starts with A, ends with TASSET→
46A
Detonation region (9)
Starts with B, ends with EBLASTZONE→
49A
"___ I compare thee to a summer's day?": Shak. (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSHALL→
51A
Before, poetically (3)
Starts with E, ends with EERE→
52A
What's more (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALSO→
56A
Performs a stylish ballroom dance (6)
Starts with T, ends with STANGOS→
60A
Tropical tree whose product is sometimes used as a meat substitute (9)
Starts with J, ends with TJACKFRUIT→
63A
San Francisco ballplayer (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGIANT→
64A
Actress de Armas (3)
Starts with A, ends with AANA→
65A
"Take a look!" (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGOSEE→
66A
Helper for computer problems, informally (5)
Starts with I, ends with YITGUY→
67A
Kylo ___ of "Star Wars" (3)
Starts with R, ends with NREN→
68A
Stockholm native (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESWEDE→
69A
Pursue (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECHASE→
Down
1D
"Stop!" (4)
Starts with H, ends with THALT→
2D
Puccini's "O mio babbino caro," e.g. (4)
Starts with A, ends with AARIA→
3D
Kind of diagram with overlapping circles (4)
Starts with V, ends with NVENN→
5D
One's employment pursuit (6)
Starts with C, ends with RCAREER→
7D
Places to hang clothes (7)
Starts with C, ends with SCLOSETS→
8D
Forum overseers (6)
Starts with A, ends with SADMINS→
9D
The Scales, zodiacally (5)
Starts with L, ends with ALIBRA→
10D
"Definitely!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYES→
11D
Certain golf or tennis tournament (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOPEN→
12D
Funny Ferrell or Rogers (4)
Starts with W, ends with LWILL→
13D
Slippery (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEELY→
19D
Scorcher (6)
Starts with H, ends with EHOTONE→
21D
Recurring thematic elements (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMOTIFS→
26D
Happy as a ___ (4)
Starts with C, ends with MCLAM→
27D
City NE of Oklahoma City (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATULSA→
28D
Fields (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAREAS→
29D
The N.H.L. has 32 (5)
Starts with T, ends with STEAMS→
30D
Cartoon brawl sound effect (3)
Starts with O, ends with FOOF→
32D
Actress Greta of "Queen Christina" (5)
Starts with G, ends with OGARBO→
33D
Store, as ashes (5)
Starts with I, ends with NINURN→
34D
Dugout, e.g. (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECANOE→
37D
Complete series, maybe (6)
Starts with B, ends with TBOXSET→
39D
Gets by (6)
Starts with D, ends with KDOESOK→
40D
Solemn vow (4)
Starts with O, ends with HOATH→
41D
___ Guofeng, successor of Mao Zedong (3)
Starts with H, ends with AHUA→
43D
Like the score going into extra innings (7)
Starts with A, ends with DALLTIED→
46D
Top to accompany a skirt (6)
Starts with B, ends with EBLOUSE→
47D
Like the fate of Ophelia (6)
Starts with T, ends with CTRAGIC→
50D
See 37-Across (5)
Starts with A, ends with WARROW→
52D
Cracked slightly, as a door (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAJAR→
53D
Word following bike or memory (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELANE→
54D
Look at carefully (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSCAN→
57D
"Shallow" singer Lady ___ (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGAGA→
58D
Burden (4)
Starts with O, ends with SONUS→
59D
Ailment that aptly rhymes with "eye" (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESTYE→
61D
N.F.L. three-pointers: Abbr. (3)
Starts with F, ends with SFGS→
62D
Top to accompany shorts (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETEE→
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 28, 2026?+
78 clues: 38 Across and 40 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Helen Chen and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Widespread disorder (HAVOC); Like the exteriors of armadillos (SCALY); Fall behind in payments (OWE).
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.
