NYT Crossword hints and answer for February 2, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
ConstructorJohn Ewbank and Colin Thomas
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
That girl's (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHERS→
5A
"___ is more" (paradoxical aphorism) (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLESS→
9A
Receded, as the tide (5)
Starts with E, ends with DEBBED→
14A
With, in French (4)
Starts with A, ends with CAVEC→
15A
English boarding school attended by many royals (4)
Starts with E, ends with NETON→
16A
First word in two U.S. state names (5)
Starts with N, ends with HNORTH→
17A
Clownfish in a 2003 Pixar film (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONEMO→
18A
Rights advocacy org. (4)
Starts with A, ends with UACLU→
19A
Makeup of a reef (5)
Starts with C, ends with LCORAL→
20A
Cult classic co-starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell (12)
Starts with G, ends with YGROUNDHOGDAY→
23A
Houston baseball players (6)
Starts with A, ends with SASTROS→
24A
Painting the town red, so to speak (6)
Starts with O, ends with GONAJAG→
28A
Eggs in a sushi roll (3)
Starts with R, ends with EROE→
29A
Addams Family cousin (3)
Starts with I, ends with TITT→
31A
One arguing in court: Abbr. (3)
Starts with A, ends with TATT→
32A
End of a school's web address (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEDU→
33A
Inspiration for a 2017 Tony-nominated musical (12)
Starts with G, ends with YGROUNDHOGDAY→
36A
Bring home, as money (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEARN→
39A
Great blue expanse (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASEA→
41A
1993 film that featured "I Got You Babe" (12)
Starts with G, ends with YGROUNDHOGDAY→
46A
In the manner of (3)
Starts with A, ends with AALA→
47A
Actress Claire of "The Crown" (3)
Starts with F, ends with YFOY→
48A
Goddess of the dawn (3)
Starts with E, ends with SEOS→
49A
Letters before Enterprise or Intrepid (3)
Starts with U, ends with SUSS→
52A
Uncle of Huey, Dewey and Louie (6)
Starts with D, ends with DDONALD→
54A
Bad odor (6)
Starts with S, ends with HSTENCH→
56A
60A
Gaze intently (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESTARE→
63A
Red, in Spanish (4)
Starts with R, ends with OROJO→
64A
Part in a movie (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROLE→
65A
Sharp, on a TV, informally (5)
Starts with H, ends with FHIDEF→
66A
Fat in a bird feeder (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSUET→
67A
Farthest points (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENDS→
68A
Takes the edge off (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEASES→
69A
No ifs, ___ or buts (4)
Starts with A, ends with SANDS→
70A
Student's hurdle (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTEST→
Down
1D
Building where airplanes are stored (6)
Starts with H, ends with RHANGAR→
2D
Really, really (6)
Starts with E, ends with OEVERSO→
3D
Like off-site employees (6)
Starts with R, ends with EREMOTE→
5D
Results in (7)
Starts with L, ends with OLEADSTO→
6D
Engrave (4)
Starts with E, ends with HETCH→
7D
Duet minus one (4)
Starts with S, ends with OSOLO→
8D
Like the proverbial bug in a rug (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSNUG→
9D
Animated film featuring the song "We Don't Talk About Bruno" (7)
Starts with E, ends with OENCANTO→
10D
Triumphant cry (5)
Starts with B, ends with ABOOYA→
11D
[I'm f-f-freezing!] (3)
Starts with B, ends with RBRR→
12D
When a flight is due to land, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
13D
Alternative to UPS or FedEx (3)
Starts with D, ends with LDHL→
21D
Dark crime genre (4)
Starts with N, ends with RNOIR→
22D
"How ___ the little busy bee ..." (4)
Starts with D, ends with HDOTH→
25D
___ Knight ("Star Wars" fighter) (4)
Starts with J, ends with IJEDI→
26D
Actor Scott or Driver (4)
Starts with A, ends with MADAM→
27D
Fellas (4)
Starts with G, ends with SGUYS→
30D
Rear end, informally (5)
Starts with T, ends with YTUSHY→
31D
Common saying (5)
Starts with A, ends with EADAGE→
33D
African grazer (3)
Starts with G, ends with UGNU→
34D
"The Matrix" character whose name, aptly, is an anagram of ONE (3)
Starts with N, ends with ONEO→
35D
The "G" of LGBTQ+ (3)
Starts with G, ends with YGAY→
36D
"Holy Moses!" (4)
Starts with E, ends with DEGAD→
37D
Folk singer Guthrie (4)
Starts with A, ends with OARLO→
38D
Horse with a reddish coat (4)
Starts with R, ends with NROAN→
42D
Pro gridiron officials, informally (7)
Starts with N, ends with SNFLREFS→
43D
Bird that scientists are trying to bring back from extinction (4)
Starts with D, ends with ODODO→
44D
Have a round of tequila, perhaps (7)
Starts with D, ends with SDOSHOTS→
45D
Regarding (4)
Starts with A, ends with OASTO→
49D
Not tied, as shoelaces (6)
Starts with U, ends with EUNDONE→
50D
Burns with liquid (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSCALDS→
51D
Least likely to start a conversation with a stranger, say (6)
Starts with S, ends with TSHYEST→
53D
Have the same opinion (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAGREE→
55D
White heron (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEGRET→
57D
Bear in constellation names (4)
Starts with U, ends with AURSA→
58D
A proper one is capitalized (4)
Starts with N, ends with NNOUN→
59D
Spun records, for short (4)
Starts with D, ends with DDJED→
60D
That girl (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESHE→
61D
___ Maria (coffee liqueur) (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATIA→
62D
Things eliminated with YouTube Premium (3)
Starts with A, ends with SADS→
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 2, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by John Ewbank and Colin Thomas and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: That girl's (HERS); "___ is more" (paradoxical aphorism) (LESS); Receded, as the tide (EBBED).
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.
