NYT Crossword hints and answer for September 30, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues72
Across35
Down37
ConstructorJoel Woodford
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
Much-used pencil (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSTUB→
5A
Composed (4)
Starts with C, ends with MCALM→
9A
A bit off (5)
Starts with A, ends with WASKEW→
14A
Isle that's the traditional burial site of Scottish kings (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIONA→
15A
Mayberry kid on old TV (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOPIE→
16A
Sharp increase (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPIKE→
17A
Market! (9)
Starts with E, ends with REXAMPAPER→
19A
Walked while fraught with worry, say (5)
Starts with P, ends with DPACED→
20A
Like a moon that is not full but is more than half visible (7)
Starts with G, ends with SGIBBOUS→
21A
Administrative role (5)
Starts with C, ends with KCLERK→
23A
Sign up (6)
Starts with E, ends with TENLIST→
24A
Ticket! (8)
Starts with C, ends with XCHECKBOX→
27A
Nottingham-to-London dir. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESSE→
28A
It was you (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTHOU→
30A
Attributed writer of the third Gospel (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESTLUKE→
31A
Culinary connoisseur (6)
Starts with F, ends with EFOODIE→
33A
GPS's guesses (4)
Starts with E, ends with SETAS→
34A
Planet! (13)
Starts with S, ends with YSURPRISEPARTY→
38A
Desert landform (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDUNE→
39A
San Francisco team, informally (6)
Starts with N, ends with SNINERS→
40A
Best and most awesome, in slang (6)
Starts with I, ends with TILLEST→
43A
Times Sq. squad (4)
Starts with N, ends with DNYPD→
44A
Humanities degs. (3)
Starts with B, ends with SBAS→
47A
Packet! (8)
Starts with S, ends with ESUITCASE→
49A
Person's bidding (6)
Starts with B, ends with TBEHEST→
51A
Need for a greedy Swede? (5)
Starts with K, ends with AKRONA→
52A
Great flair (7)
Starts with P, ends with EPANACHE→
53A
Nail a test (5)
Starts with A, ends with TACEIT→
55A
Locket! (9)
Starts with F, ends with RFRONTDOOR→
57A
Pie-in-the-face sound (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSPLAT→
58A
Sized up (4)
Starts with E, ends with DEYED→
59A
Hightailed it (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETORE→
60A
How a trickster might behave (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSLYLY→
61A
Group in a gym routine (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSETS→
62A
Margarine (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOLEO→
Down
1D
Drawn-out attacks (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSIEGES→
2D
Things to be cleansed from the body (6)
Starts with T, ends with STOXINS→
3D
Powerless (6)
Starts with U, ends with EUNABLE→
4D
5D
Writing partner (8)
Starts with C, ends with RCOAUTHOR→
6D
Many tech start-up ideas (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPPS→
7D
Trust eroder (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELIE→
8D
Some concert gear, informally (5)
Starts with M, ends with HMERCH→
9D
Feature (6)
Starts with A, ends with TASPECT→
10D
They might get lit at a birthday celebration (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSPARKLERS→
11D
Be super-successful, in slang (8)
Starts with K, ends with TKICKBUTT→
12D
Scrape (by) (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEKE→
13D
Give a ring, say (3)
Starts with W, ends with DWED→
18D
Surgery recovery period, in brief (6)
Starts with P, ends with PPOSTOP→
22D
"___ Troyens" (five-hour French opera) (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLES→
24D
Collection of dishes? (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECUISINE→
25D
Up to snuff (4)
Starts with O, ends with YOKAY→
26D
Treasure map markings (3)
Starts with X, ends with SXES→
29D
God whose name has one "I," fittingly (4)
Starts with O, ends with NODIN→
31D
Offer from many a streaming service (9)
Starts with F, ends with LFREETRIAL→
32D
Start of a counting rhyme (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEENY→
34D
"Star Trek" helmsman (4)
Starts with S, ends with USULU→
35D
Doubtful (8)
Starts with U, ends with YUNLIKELY→
36D
Musical promoters of school spirit (8)
Starts with P, ends with SPEPBANDS→
37D
Impassioned (6)
Starts with A, ends with TARDENT→
38D
Insult (3)
Starts with D, ends with SDIS→
41D
"Star Trek" engineer (6)
Starts with S, ends with YSCOTTY→
42D
Trig function that can output every real number (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTAN→
44D
"Don't freak out, dude" (6)
Starts with B, ends with LBECOOL→
45D
Where landlubbers are at home (6)
Starts with A, ends with EASHORE→
46D
It often features panels with speakers (6)
Starts with S, ends with OSTEREO→
48D
Targets of some heists (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSAFES→
50D
Was out of other options (5)
Starts with H, ends with OHADTO→
52D
Word found at the start of "Poe, to name one" (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPOET→
54D
Rank below sgt. (3)
Starts with C, ends with LCPL→
56D
Bread choice (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERYE→
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 30, 2026?+
72 clues: 35 Across and 37 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Joel Woodford and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Much-used pencil (STUB); Composed (CALM); A bit off (ASKEW).
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.
