NYT Crossword hints and answer for February 16, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across40
Down38
ConstructorIan Livengood
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
Necklace fastener (5)
Starts with C, ends with PCLASP→
6A
Physique, slangily (3)
Starts with B, ends with DBOD→
9A
"___ to that!" (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAMEN→
13A
Textile city NNE of Paris (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELILLE→
14A
New wave band with the hit "Whip It" (4)
Starts with D, ends with ODEVO→
15A
Improvise, in jazz (4)
Starts with V, ends with PVAMP→
16A
Stared rudely (5)
Starts with O, ends with DOGLED→
17A
Late-night kitchen visit, e.g. (4)
Starts with R, ends with DRAID→
18A
Stench (4)
Starts with O, ends with RODOR→
19A
Longtime comic strip set in a medieval kingdom (13)
Starts with T, ends with DTHEWIZARDOFID→
22A
Home for pigs (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
23A
Teen wearing heavy eyeliner, maybe (4)
Starts with G, ends with HGOTH→
24A
Really, really cool (6)
Starts with B, ends with SBADASS→
27A
"My dude!" (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBRO→
28A
Computer operating system developed by Bell Labs (4)
Starts with U, ends with XUNIX→
30A
___-Hulk (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESHE→
31A
Charge for airing a commercial (5)
Starts with A, ends with EADFEE→
34A
Fictional lab assistant with a hunchback (4)
Starts with I, ends with RIGOR→
35A
Stylish (4)
Starts with C, ends with CCHIC→
36A
Capital of the Gem State, in a mailing address (7)
Starts with B, ends with DBOISEID→
38A
Possible cybercrime, informally (7)
Starts with I, ends with TIDTHEFT→
40A
M.I.T. Mystery ___ (annual puzzle competition) (4)
Starts with H, ends with THUNT→
41A
Close by (4)
Starts with N, ends with RNEAR→
43A
Corrosion signs (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRUSTS→
44A
Stadium cheer (3)
Starts with O, ends with EOLE→
45A
Glance through (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSCAN→
46A
Reader's Digest or Golf Digest, in brief (3)
Starts with M, ends with GMAG→
47A
Where clams are served (6)
Starts with R, ends with RRAWBAR→
49A
Knotted (up) (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTIED→
51A
Rep.'s counterpart (3)
Starts with D, ends with MDEM→
54A
"Makes no difference to me" (13)
Starts with I, ends with YIDGOEITHERWAY→
57A
Actress Kendrick (4)
Starts with A, ends with AANNA→
59A
Hourly pay rate (4)
Starts with W, ends with EWAGE→
60A
Flock that honks (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGEESE→
61A
Follow directions (4)
Starts with O, ends with YOBEY→
62A
Conga, for one (4)
Starts with D, ends with MDRUM→
63A
Chicago's ___ Planetarium (5)
Starts with A, ends with RADLER→
64A
Scottish girl (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLASS→
65A
Place to get a rubdown (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASPA→
66A
Voting spots (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPOLLS→
Down
1D
Thickens, as cream (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCLOTS→
2D
Not heavy (5)
Starts with L, ends with TLIGHT→
3D
Narrow way between city buildings (5)
Starts with A, ends with YALLEY→
4D
Whole bunch (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSLEW→
5D
Horse's ancestral line (8)
Starts with P, ends with EPEDIGREE→
6D
Hearty embrace (7)
Starts with B, ends with GBEARHUG→
7D
Roman poet who wrote "Metamorphoses" (4)
Starts with O, ends with DOVID→
8D
Dull-witted sort (8)
Starts with D, ends with DDODOBIRD→
9D
Eschew (5)
Starts with A, ends with DAVOID→
10D
Frantic scrambles (9)
Starts with M, ends with SMADDASHES→
11D
Rock subgenre with confessional lyrics (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEMO→
12D
"All Things Considered" airer (3)
Starts with N, ends with RNPR→
14D
"Fiddlesticks!" (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDRAT→
20D
D.C.'s National ___ (3)
Starts with Z, ends with OZOO→
21D
Kind of number on an old business card (3)
Starts with F, ends with XFAX→
25D
Change gears (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSHIFT→
26D
Religious offshoots (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSECTS→
27D
Top-tier (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBEST→
29D
Pinot ___ (4)
Starts with N, ends with RNOIR→
31D
Give 0 stars in a review, say (5)
Starts with A, ends with RABHOR→
32D
One giving support during childbirth (5)
Starts with D, ends with ADOULA→
33D
High-quality reds and whites (9)
Starts with F, ends with SFINEWINES→
34D
Something to noodle on (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIDEA→
35D
Drink very quickly (4)
Starts with C, ends with GCHUG→
37D
Glitterati (8)
Starts with I, ends with SINCROWDS→
39D
Shortfall of exports vis-à-vis imports (8)
Starts with T, ends with PTRADEGAP→
42D
One of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean (7)
Starts with A, ends with AANTIGUA→
46D
"It's just OK" (3)
Starts with M, ends with HMEH→
48D
Occasions for blowing out candles on cakes, informally (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBDAYS→
50D
Agenda bullet point (4)
Starts with I, ends with MITEM→
51D
Linger (on), as a topic (5)
Starts with D, ends with LDWELL→
52D
Art supporter (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEASEL→
53D
Mike who voiced Shrek in "Shrek" (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMYERS→
55D
Wyatt at the O.K. Corral (4)
Starts with E, ends with PEARP→
56D
Make over (4)
Starts with R, ends with OREDO→
57D
Early leader in instant messaging (3)
Starts with A, ends with LAOL→
58D
Org. for the Raptors, but not the Blue Jays (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANBA→
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 February 16, 2026?+
78 clues: 40 Across and 38 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Ian Livengood and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Necklace fastener (CLASP); Physique, slangily (BOD); "___ to that!" (AMEN).
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.
