NYT Crossword hints and answer for January 2, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues68
Across33
Down35
ConstructorAdam Wagner and Rafael Musa
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
Havanese greeting (3)
Starts with A, ends with FARF→
4A
Tolstoy book whose title asks a question (9)
Starts with W, ends with TWHATISART→
13A
Reluctantly stoop (5)
Starts with D, ends with NDEIGN→
16A
They rate up to 350,000 on the Scoville scale (9)
Starts with H, ends with SHABANEROS→
17A
H.S. class for tough life lessons? (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAPBIO→
18A
"Just tell me when it's over" (9)
Starts with I, ends with KICANTLOOK→
19A
Dance move also known as a backslide (8)
Starts with M, ends with KMOONWALK→
21A
Skims, as soup stock (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDEFATS→
22A
Fig. that cannot start with 9 (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSSN→
23A
Org. for The Rock and Brock Lesnar (3)
Starts with W, ends with EWWE→
24A
Tunnel-making machine (5)
Starts with B, ends with RBORER→
25A
Not many (4)
Starts with A, ends with WAFEW→
27A
Windfalls (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBOONS→
28A
Keep coming up (5)
Starts with R, ends with RRECUR→
30A
One might lead to pay back (9)
Starts with T, ends with NTAXRETURN→
34A
Make some introductions, say (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEMCEE→
35A
The Cowboys of the N.C.A.A. (3)
Starts with O, ends with UOSU→
36A
Word from the Lakota for "they dwell" (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETEPEE→
37A
Emotional manipulation tactic (9)
Starts with G, ends with PGUILTTRIP→
39A
Meaty meal (5)
Starts with F, ends with TFEAST→
40A
Attraction on the western side of Carson Range (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETAHOE→
41A
"Oof!" (4)
Starts with D, ends with NDAMN→
42A
Seems less impressive, so to speak (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPALES→
43A
Spray in the kitchen (3)
Starts with P, ends with MPAM→
44A
German stock market index (3)
Starts with D, ends with XDAX→
47A
Cumbrous (6)
Starts with C, ends with YCLUNKY→
49A
One-to-one relationship (8)
Starts with M, ends with YMONOGAMY→
51A
Exchanges blows? (9)
Starts with A, ends with SAIRKISSES→
54A
Eggless bread spread (9)
Starts with V, ends with EVEGENAISE→
55A
"A-a-a-and ___!" (improv show ender) (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCENE→
56A
High-carb snack (9)
Starts with E, ends with RENERGYBAR→
57A
May day celebrant (3)
Starts with M, ends with MMOM→
Down
1D
2D
Default outcomes, perhaps (5)
Starts with R, ends with SREPOS→
3D
Kind of sequence that proceeds 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ... (9)
Starts with F, ends with IFIBONACCI→
4D
Duration (5)
Starts with W, ends with EWHILE→
5D
Modern security threat (4)
Starts with H, ends with KHACK→
6D
Org. with the Rule of Law Initiative (3)
Starts with A, ends with AABA→
7D
Cylindrical oven (7)
Starts with T, ends with RTANDOOR→
8D
Extremely well-liked? (14)
Starts with I, ends with SINTERNETFAMOUS→
9D
Personal opinion? (10)
Starts with S, ends with MSELFESTEEM→
10D
Hooting and hollering (5)
Starts with A, ends with RAROAR→
11D
Part of an underground network (4)
Starts with R, ends with TROOT→
12D
Pithy put-downs (4)
Starts with T, ends with STSKS→
14D
Main ingredient in an aviation cocktail (3)
Starts with G, ends with NGIN→
15D
"I like the sound of that!" (14)
Starts with N, ends with GNOWWERETALKING→
20D
"So adorable!" (3)
Starts with A, ends with WAWW→
24D
Prepare to ship, say (5)
Starts with B, ends with PBOXUP→
26D
Delivery means to a gas station (10)
Starts with F, ends with RFUELTANKER→
27D
Count in the Blues Hall of Fame (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBASIE→
28D
On the ___ (frequently, informally) (3)
Starts with R, ends with GREG→
29D
Bird whose eggs are sometimes a canvas for Aboriginal art (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEMU→
30D
Capotes are flapped at them (5)
Starts with T, ends with STOROS→
31D
"Let's go, sleepyhead!" (9)
Starts with U, ends with MUPANDATEM→
32D
Booking, for short (3)
Starts with R, ends with SRES→
33D
Server's obstacle (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNET→
38D
"Word on the street is ..." (7)
Starts with T, ends with YTHEYSAY→
41D
___ Brown, author of "The Da Vinci Code" (3)
Starts with D, ends with NDAN→
42D
Night of lawlessness in a long-running horror franchise, with "the" (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPURGE→
43D
Try-hard (5)
Starts with P, ends with RPOSER→
45D
Kind of acid (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAMINO→
46D
Stem component (5)
Starts with X, ends with MXYLEM→
47D
Capitulate (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECAVE→
48D
Lender's security (4)
Starts with L, ends with NLIEN→
49D
Table outside (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMESA→
50D
Big purveyor of health supplements (3)
Starts with G, ends with CGNC→
52D
Gender-neutral term in a family (3)
Starts with S, ends with BSIB→
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 January 2, 2026?+
68 clues: 33 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Adam Wagner and Rafael Musa and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Havanese greeting (ARF); Tolstoy book whose title asks a question (WHATISART); Reluctantly stoop (DEIGN).
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.
