NYT Crossword hints and answer for January 21, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues77
Across36
Down41
ConstructorGinny Too and Avery Gee Katz
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
Practiced pitches (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSPIELS→
7A
What arms might do on a final gym rep (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETREMBLE→
14A
Lee has a hot bowl of ___ to start off his day (6)
Starts with C, ends with ECONGEE→
15A
Lee has a hot bowl of ___ to start off his day (7)
Starts with O, ends with LOATMEAL→
16A
Enemy of the Avengers (6)
Starts with U, ends with NULTRON→
17A
Ones with the munchies, maybe (8)
Starts with P, ends with SPOTHEADS→
18A
In need of a massage, say (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESORE→
19A
Like those local to Universal Studios Japan (6)
Starts with O, ends with NOSAKAN→
21A
Hide one's roots, perhaps (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDYE→
22A
Like the study of the kabbalah (8)
Starts with E, ends with CESOTERIC→
24A
Drill insert (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBIT→
26A
Polarizing punctuation choice (11)
Starts with S, ends with ASERIALCOMMA→
31A
Bracket-busting wins in March Madness (6)
Starts with U, ends with SUPSETS→
35A
Friend or ___ (3)
Starts with F, ends with EFOE→
36A
Complete disrepair (4)
Starts with R, ends with NRUIN→
37A
Says ___ to his neighbor, then heads on his way (5)
Starts with N, ends with ONIHAO→
38A
Recycling container (3)
Starts with B, ends with NBIN→
39A
Says ___ to his neighbor, then heads on his way (5)
Starts with H, ends with OHELLO→
40A
They might be foiled (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPLOTS→
41A
Treatment for a sprained ankle (3)
Starts with I, ends with EICE→
42A
Like the villain at the end of a "Scooby-Doo" episode (5)
Starts with O, ends with DOUTED→
43A
All ___ (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEARS→
45A
Jay-Z's and Alicia Keys's "___ State of Mind" (6)
Starts with E, ends with EEMPIRE→
46A
Classic P.O.W. movie starring Steve McQueen, with "The" (11)
Starts with G, ends with EGREATESCAPE→
49A
Heavy weight (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTON→
50A
Transaction on an online marketplace (8)
Starts with E, ends with EEBAYSALE→
55A
Govt. org. in "Alias" (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACIA→
58A
60A
Inflation measures, for short (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPSIS→
61A
Opportunity to dress up (8)
Starts with O, ends with NOCCASION→
63A
Eagles' nests (6)
Starts with A, ends with SAERIES→
65A
With gossip and beer over Friday's ___ game (7)
Starts with M, ends with GMAHJONG→
66A
With gossip and beer over Friday's ___ game (6)
Starts with B, ends with EBRIDGE→
67A
Satisfies (7)
Starts with P, ends with SPLEASES→
68A
Luxurious cotton fabric (6)
Starts with S, ends with NSATEEN→
Down
1D
Italian apology (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCUSE→
2D
Some pullover shirts (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPOLOS→
3D
Any course whose name ends in "101" (5)
Starts with I, ends with OINTRO→
4D
Bird with a plume that, ounce for ounce, was once worth more than gold (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEGRET→
5D
Constellation near the Big Dipper (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLEO→
6D
Gentlemen, in Granada (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSENORES→
7D
Captured (4)
Starts with T, ends with KTOOK→
8D
Like government bonds and Uber drivers (7)
Starts with R, ends with ERATABLE→
9D
___ minority (6)
Starts with E, ends with CETHNIC→
10D
Mrs., en français (3)
Starts with M, ends with EMME→
11D
Bit of sweat (4)
Starts with B, ends with DBEAD→
12D
British title (4)
Starts with L, ends with YLADY→
13D
Ultimatum ender (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELSE→
17D
Life across the ___ is much the same (12)
Starts with P, ends with NPACIFICOCEAN→
20D
British title (3)
Starts with S, ends with RSIR→
23D
These: Sp. (5)
Starts with E, ends with SESTOS→
25D
Shredded, as a contract (6)
Starts with T, ends with PTOREUP→
27D
Top-of-the-line (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAONE→
28D
Prefix with vitamin or tool (5)
Starts with M, ends with IMULTI→
29D
Athlete aiming for a four-minute finish, perhaps (5)
Starts with M, ends with RMILER→
30D
One end of an electrolytic cell (5)
Starts with A, ends with EANODE→
31D
Let float, as a currency (5)
Starts with U, ends with GUNPEG→
32D
Pertaining to hair (5)
Starts with P, ends with RPILAR→
33D
Welcome sight for a sailor (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHORE→
34D
Patronizes, as a restaurant (6)
Starts with E, ends with TEATSAT→
38D
Life stories (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBIOS→
39D
Warm and cozy (5)
Starts with H, ends with YHOMEY→
44D
Bona fide (7)
Starts with G, ends with EGENUINE→
45D
Govt. sites for testing pollutants (7)
Starts with E, ends with SEPALABS→
47D
Ones with chiseled abs? (6)
Starts with T, ends with STORSOS→
48D
___ Dhabi (3)
Starts with A, ends with UABU→
51D
Spar on a sailing boat (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSPRIT→
52D
Comment that breaks the fourth wall (5)
Starts with A, ends with EASIDE→
53D
Feudal lord (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELIEGE→
54D
German steel city (5)
Starts with E, ends with NESSEN→
55D
Provide for free, as a drink (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCOMP→
56D
Suffix with method or metaphor (4)
Starts with I, ends with LICAL→
59D
Collectible caps in the ’90s (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPOGS→
62D
Steely Dan album whose name is pronounced "Asia" (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAJA→
64D
The Three Kingdoms in Chinese history, e.g. (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
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 21, 2026?+
77 clues: 36 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Ginny Too and Avery Gee Katz and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Practiced pitches (SPIELS); What arms might do on a final gym rep (TREMBLE); Lee has a hot bowl of ___ to start off his day (CONGEE).
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.
