NYT Crossword hints and answer for February 7, 2026

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

Clues62
Across27
Down35
ConstructorMark Diehl

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
Breakfast bar item (11)
Starts with W, ends with RWAFFLEMAKER→
12A
Summer picnic side dish (13)
Starts with M, ends with DMACARONISALAD→
14A
Homo sapiens, e.g. (15)
Starts with G, ends with SGENUSANDSPECIES→
16A
Curio shop treasure (6)
Starts with O, ends with YODDITY→
18A
Losing propositions? (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDIETS→
19A
Keep-on-keeping-on quality (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGRIT→
21A
Cause for getting stuck (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMIRE→
22A
Not, colloquially (4)
Starts with N, ends with YNARY→
23A
Misdirect (4)
Starts with F, ends with LFOOL→
24A
Airbnb inclusion, usually (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLINEN→
25A
Some control buttons (3)
Starts with O, ends with SONS→
26A
Like hand-to-hand fighting (10)
Starts with C, ends with ECLOSERANGE→
28A
On the starting line (9)
Starts with R, ends with OREADYTOGO→
29A
Over/under and point spread (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSPORTSBETS→
31A
Small squeeze from a tube (3)
Starts with D, ends with BDAB→
34A
Dome-shaped Buddhist shrine (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASTUPA→
35A
Fancy-schmancy (4)
Starts with P, ends with HPOSH→
36A
Pronoun in Texas (4)
Starts with Y, ends with LYALL→
38A
"OMG"-evoking deed (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFEAT→
39A
Use for a yew (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHEDGE→
40A
As good as it gets (7)
Starts with O, ends with LOPTIMAL→
42A
Isle of Sappho (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLESBOS→
43A
They make low digits smaller (15)
Starts with T, ends with STOENAILSCISSORS→
46A
What a pitcher tries to do (13)
Starts with R, ends with ERETIRETHESIDE→
47A
Former e-book devices, until 2014 (11)
Starts with S, ends with SSONYREADERS→

Down

1D
Can't keep on topic (7)
Starts with W, ends with SWANDERS→
2D
Sharpshooter's asset (6)
Starts with A, ends with YACUITY→
3D
Preps for surgery, perhaps (5)
Starts with F, ends with SFASTS→
4D
Wear out around the edges (4)
Starts with F, ends with YFRAY→
5D
First name in Universal horror (3)
Starts with L, ends with NLON→
6D
Seldom-used PC key (3)
Starts with E, ends with DEND→
7D
Long shot practice (11)
Starts with M, ends with TMISSILETEST→
8D
"Save me ___!" (5)
Starts with A, ends with TASPOT→
9D
Pauline ___, former New Yorker film critic (4)
Starts with K, ends with LKAEL→
10D
Classic Chevy model (8)
Starts with E, ends with OELCAMINO→
11D
Not fair, in a way (7)
Starts with R, ends with GRAINING→
12D
Strip down the Interstate (6)
Starts with M, ends with NMEDIAN→
13D
Student's goal (6)
Starts with D, ends with EDEGREE→
14D
"That can't possibly be right!" (5)
Starts with G, ends with OGODNO→
15D
Enjoying recognition (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSEEN→
19D
One of many in a bee, typically (11)
Starts with G, ends with RGOODSPELLER→
20D
Reptile with a colorful name (7)
Starts with R, ends with AROSYBOA→
23D
Having lost all its fizz (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFLAT→
24D
Isn't keeping up (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLAGS→
26D
Michael who plays Allan in "Barbie" (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACERA→
27D
"Divergent" author Veronica (4)
Starts with R, ends with HROTH→
28D
Ensnare for, as some undertakings (8)
Starts with R, ends with OROPEINTO→
29D
A heavy drinker may be found in one (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSTUPOR→
30D
31D
Physiques that have gone a little soft (7)
Starts with D, ends with SDADBODS→
32D
Former veep with a Nobel Prize (6)
Starts with A, ends with EALGORE→
33D
"___ This Mess" (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBLESS→
34D
Opening for a mail carrier (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSLOT→
36D
Private reply (6)
Starts with Y, ends with RYESSIR→
38D
One of Oberon's subjects (5)
Starts with F, ends with YFAIRY→
39D
Author of "Steppenwolf" (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHESSE→
42D
Wrote fiction? (4)
Starts with L, ends with DLIED→
44D
Many a professional office: Abbr. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESTE→
45D
The Hornets, on scoreboards (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACHA→

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 7, 2026?+

62 clues: 27 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Mark Diehl and edited by Will Shortz.

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

For example: Breakfast bar item (WAFFLEMAKER); Summer picnic side dish (MACARONISALAD); Homo sapiens, e.g. (GENUSANDSPECIES).

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