NYT Crossword hints and answer for August 20, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
ConstructorHoang-Kim Vu
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
Sound like heaven (4)
Starts with H, ends with PHARP→
5A
Game of observation for travel (6)
Starts with S, ends with ISAFARI→
11A
Ad free (3)
Starts with P, ends with APSA→
14A
Brief in pants (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTROU→
15A
Correct thoroughly (6)
Starts with S, ends with NSPOTON→
16A
Bad feel (3)
Starts with A, ends with LAIL→
17A
Try to place connoisseurs? (11)
Starts with T, ends with MTASTINGROOM→
19A
Cells in compound (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARNA→
20A
Checks with style (5)
Starts with P, ends with DPLAID→
21A
To cop (3)
Starts with O, ends with NOWN→
22A
Competition, for starters (5)
Starts with A, ends with MATEAM→
24A
York ___ (5)
Starts with N, ends with ANUEVA→
26A
Place recording (6)
Starts with S, ends with OSTUDIO→
27A
Signals over game (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHORNS→
29A
Maturity approaching (5)
Starts with R, ends with RRIPER→
31A
Crows to relatives (6)
Starts with R, ends with SRAVENS→
32A
Free booze (3)
Starts with D, ends with YDRY→
33A
Confidentiality of letters? (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNDAS→
37A
"Done well" (5)
Starts with B, ends with OBRAVO→
38A
Short for "info flight" (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
39A
Sponge bath (5)
Starts with L, ends with ALOOFA→
40A
Nothing doing (4)
Starts with I, ends with EIDLE→
41A
Say "minus C" (3)
Starts with M, ends with HMEH→
42A
Set off (6)
Starts with D, ends with YDEFRAY→
43A
Practice Japanese (5)
Starts with R, ends with IREIKI→
45A
Equal roughly (5)
Starts with O, ends with RONPAR→
46A
Into light (6)
Starts with C, ends with TCUSSAT→
49A
Nags about noise? (5)
Starts with N, ends with HNEIGH→
51A
Land of Spot (5)
Starts with I, ends with TISLET→
52A
On-off signs (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOKS→
53A
Lines some over draw (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETRACE→
57A
For repentance some feel (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERUE→
58A
Details insignificant contests (11)
Starts with S, ends with SSPLITSHAIRS→
61A
Spending limits it (3)
Starts with C, ends with PCAP→
62A
Forum discussion, popular once (6)
Starts with U, ends with TUSENET→
63A
Cut short (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSNIP→
64A
Rock-___ (3)
Starts with A, ends with TALT→
65A
Out with ate, ate, ate (6)
Starts with P, ends with DPIGGED→
66A
Website gift custom (4)
Starts with E, ends with YETSY→
Down
1D
URL starter (4)
Starts with H, ends with PHTTP→
2D
Asian sea currently undergoing replenishment efforts (4)
Starts with A, ends with LARAL→
3D
Civil rights icon Parks (4)
Starts with R, ends with AROSA→
4D
Shift the gears of, in a way ... or a hint to this puzzle's Across clues (12)
Starts with P, ends with EPUTINREVERSE→
5D
ID in some data breaches (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSSN→
6D
Elite H.S. class covering the Constitution (5)
Starts with A, ends with VAPGOV→
7D
Visionary … or what you'll need to return to when solving this puzzle's Down clues (15)
Starts with F, ends with GFORWARDTHINKING→
9D
Babe in the Hundred Acre Wood (3)
Starts with R, ends with OROO→
10D
One advocated for by the National Prison Project (6)
Starts with I, ends with EINMATE→
11D
Whittled (down) (5)
Starts with P, ends with DPARED→
12D
Biblical mount (5)
Starts with S, ends with ISINAI→
13D
It's worth remembering! (5)
Starts with A, ends with OALAMO→
18D
"No idea" (6)
Starts with I, ends with OIDUNNO→
23D
Distinctive expression ... or a hint to this puzzle's Across clues (12)
Starts with T, ends with ETURNOFPHRASE→
25D
Feature of San Francisco's Lombard Street (3)
Starts with E, ends with SESS→
26D
Mole, e.g. (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSPY→
28D
Like many cricket fields (4)
Starts with O, ends with LOVAL→
30D
Plan to contribute to, for short (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIRA→
31D
One of 1,909 for Willie Mays, for short (3)
Starts with R, ends with IRBI→
34D
"___ the Explorer" (4)
Starts with D, ends with ADORA→
35D
Some distance away (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAFAR→
36D
Declare (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSAY→
38D
"Oh no! A mouse!" (3)
Starts with E, ends with KEEK→
39D
What the second number indicates in men's jeans sizes (6)
Starts with L, ends with HLENGTH→
41D
Univ. with an annual Mystery Hunt (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMIT→
42D
Eager response to "Wanna join?" (3)
Starts with D, ends with IDOI→
44D
Goes nuts for (6)
Starts with E, ends with PEATSUP→
46D
Around (5)
Starts with C, ends with ACIRCA→
47D
Garden-variety (5)
Starts with U, ends with LUSUAL→
48D
Wasn't paying attention (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSLEPT→
50D
Lauder of cosmetics (5)
Starts with E, ends with EESTEE→
52D
Designer Cassini (4)
Starts with O, ends with GOLEG→
54D
"I don't really care / If ya think I'm strange / I ___ gonna change": Joan Jett (4)
Starts with A, ends with TAINT→
55D
N.F.L. commentator Collinsworth (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCRIS→
56D
Arthur Ashe Courage Award, e.g. (4)
Starts with E, ends with YESPY→
59D
Letter after chi (3)
Starts with P, ends with IPSI→
60D
The "S" of E.S.T.: Abbr. (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSTD→
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 August 20, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Hoang-Kim Vu and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Sound like heaven (HARP); Game of observation for travel (SAFARI); Ad free (PSA).
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.
