NYT Crossword hints and answer for August 5, 2026

Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.

Clues72
Across28
Down44
ConstructorDaniel Bodily

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
With 6-Across, #1 hit (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCHART→
6A
– (6)
Starts with T, ends with RTOPPER→
12A
With 14-Across, ultimately fruitless (7)
Starts with L, ends with GLEADING→
14A
– (7)
Starts with N, ends with ENOWHERE→
16A
– (7)
Starts with I, ends with AICEDTEA→
18A
– (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRANKS→
20A
With 22-Across, pocket ID holder (4)
Starts with C, ends with DCARD→
22A
– (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECASE→
26A
With 28-Across, temple services? (4)
Starts with H, ends with DHEAD→
28A
– (8)
Starts with M, ends with SMASSAGES→
34A
– (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESTORAGE→
36A
– (6)
Starts with S, ends with ASAHARA→
37A
With 39-Across, web crawlers, e.g. (8)
Starts with I, ends with TINTERNET→
39A
– (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBOTS→
40A
With 41-Across, loses all one's dough (4)
Starts with G, ends with SGOES→
41A
– (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBUST→
46A
– (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMATE→
54A
– (7)
Starts with A, ends with AALGEBRA→
58A
– (7)
Starts with H, ends with RHOOSIER→
59A
With 60-Across, tallies attendees (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCOUNTS→
60A
– (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNOSES→

Down

1D
Michael of "Barbie" (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACERA→
3D
Axlike tool depicted in hieroglyphs (4)
Starts with A, ends with EADZE→
4D
City on Guanabara Bay, familiarly (3)
Starts with R, ends with ORIO→
5D
Paramount ancestor, in brief (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTNN→
6D
Apt rhyme of "clock" (4)
Starts with T, ends with KTOCK→
7D
Isn't settled up (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOWES→
8D
High degree (3)
Starts with P, ends with DPHD→
9D
Word with project or peeve (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPET→
10D
Before, in a hymnbook (3)
Starts with E, ends with EERE→
11D
Stephen of "V for Vendetta" (3)
Starts with R, ends with AREA→
12D
One of 25 in a track 10K (3)
Starts with L, ends with PLAP→
13D
Actress Teri (4)
Starts with G, ends with RGARR→
14D
19D
Capt.'s superior (3)
Starts with A, ends with MADM→
20D
Pole tossed in a Scottish game (5)
Starts with C, ends with RCABER→
21D
Beautify (5)
Starts with A, ends with NADORN→
22D
Stone figure? (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCARAT→
23D
Petri dish gels (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAGARS→
24D
Company that debuted Sonic the Hedgehog (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASEGA→
25D
Legal termination? (3)
Starts with E, ends with EESE→
26D
Proverbial waste maker (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHASTE→
27D
Some Deco works (5)
Starts with E, ends with SERTES→
29D
"Well, I have to save my ___" (Shrek line) (3)
Starts with A, ends with SASS→
30D
Total guesses (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTABS→
31D
"Ooh-la-la!" (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSOHOT→
32D
Our "-zoic" (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCENO→
33D
Florence-to-Venice dir. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENNE→
38D
Cable channel with many reruns (3)
Starts with T, ends with STBS→
42D
Site of the 2002 and 2034 Winter Olympics (4)
Starts with U, ends with HUTAH→
43D
Big success (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFEAT→
44D
Actors McKellen and McShane (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIANS→
45D
Messenger ___ (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARNA→
46D
Imbroglio (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMESS→
47D
Rose's lover of 1920s Broadway (4)
Starts with A, ends with EABIE→
48D
Número de Caballeros in a 1944 film (4)
Starts with T, ends with STRES→
49D
Something that may be lent or bent (3)
Starts with E, ends with REAR→
50D
Pen letters? (3)
Starts with B, ends with CBIC→
51D
Musical Yoko (3)
Starts with O, ends with OONO→
52D
Sch. in Norfolk, Va. (3)
Starts with O, ends with UODU→
53D
"Hamilton" star ___-Manuel Miranda (3)
Starts with L, ends with NLIN→
55D
Apt name for a groundskeeper? (3)
Starts with L, ends with NLON→

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 5, 2026?+

72 clues: 28 Across and 44 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Daniel Bodily and edited by Will Shortz.

What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+

For example: With 6-Across, #1 hit (CHART); – (TOPPER); With 14-Across, ultimately fruitless (LEADING).

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.

Today’s other puzzle answers

NYT Crossword guides