NYT Crossword hints and answer for January 9, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues72
Across31
Down41
ConstructorGreg Snitkin and Glenn Davis
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
Crush (9)
Starts with P, ends with EPUPPYLOVE→
10A
They get picked up at clubs (4)
Starts with T, ends with STABS→
14A
Winning like crazy (9)
Starts with O, ends with RONAHEATER→
15A
Surfing destinations, for short (4)
Starts with U, ends with SURLS→
16A
Places many Cubans are found (10)
Starts with C, ends with SCIGARBOXES→
18A
Noggin (4)
Starts with B, ends with NBEAN→
19A
Clumsy oafs (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOXES→
20A
"You better believe it!" (8)
Starts with H, ends with HHECKYEAH→
22A
Bad thing to have in a poker game (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTELL→
26A
Apple core? (3)
Starts with C, ends with UCPU→
28A
Confirmation from a maître d' (3)
Starts with O, ends with IOUI→
30A
"I didn't do it!" (5)
Starts with N, ends with ENOTME→
34A
Stealthy flier (10)
Starts with A, ends with LAIRMARSHAL→
39A
Bummer at a casino game (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCRAP→
40A
It often comes with the job (15)
Starts with B, ends with EBENEFITSPACKAGE→
42A
___ Slush (frozen fruit drink) (4)
Starts with I, ends with EICEE→
43A
"Watch your mouth!" (10)
Starts with D, ends with EDONTSASSME→
44A
Old-timey oath (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNERTS→
46A
Firm up (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSET→
48A
Was rude on the road or the dance floor (5)
Starts with C, ends with NCUTIN→
52A
"Weed ’Em and ___," gardening book whose title is a spoonerism (4)
Starts with R, ends with PREAP→
54A
Led the charge (8)
Starts with C, ends with DCRUSADED→
57A
Prepares for a wild night, maybe (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNAPS→
60A
Monopoly token retired in 2017 (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBOOT→
61A
He's great for the time being (10)
Starts with M, ends with WMRRIGHTNOW→
64A
Be just chillin' (4)
Starts with I, ends with EIDLE→
65A
"Beats me!" (9)
Starts with I, ends with AIVENOIDEA→
66A
Jazz coda? (4)
Starts with Z, ends with SZEES→
67A
Unpack for the night, in a way (9)
Starts with S, ends with PSETUPCAMP→
Down
1D
Small bit, in Bogotá (4)
Starts with P, ends with OPOCO→
2D
Windows alternative (4)
Starts with U, ends with XUNIX→
3D
Something you have trouble putting down (10)
Starts with P, ends with RPAGETURNER→
4D
Gradually introduce, with "in" (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPHASE→
5D
The Beatles' "___ Blues" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with RYER→
6D
Varieties of this include chocolate and yellow (3)
Starts with L, ends with BLAB→
7D
"Then again …," to a texter (4)
Starts with O, ends with HOTOH→
8D
Puzzles (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVEXES→
10D
Footwear that lacks defined heels (9)
Starts with T, ends with STUBESOCKS→
11D
An "A" in geometry (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAREA→
13D
Often-redacted fig. (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSSN→
17D
Item that someone with cold feet might have (3)
Starts with S, ends with ISKI→
21D
Verb that fills in the blanks of its own synonym: _ _AR_ (3)
Starts with Y, ends with NYEN→
23D
Be just chillin' (4)
Starts with L, ends with FLOAF→
24D
Vividly shocking (5)
Starts with L, ends with DLURID→
26D
Kind of fever (5)
Starts with C, ends with NCABIN→
27D
Ballade or étude (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPIECE→
29D
Analogy words (4)
Starts with I, ends with OISTO→
31D
Raccoon, humorously (10)
Starts with T, ends with ATRASHPANDA→
32D
It's bubbling below the surface (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMAGMA→
33D
Pointers for some fighters? (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEPEES→
35D
Rom-com plot points (9)
Starts with M, ends with SMEETCUTES→
36D
Channel offering deals (3)
Starts with H, ends with NHSN→
37D
There are more than 2.3 million in N.Y.C.: Abbr. (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPTS→
38D
Industrial cutter (5)
Starts with L, ends with RLASER→
41D
Oscar winner Blanchett (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECATE→
45D
Shady, in modern parlance (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSUS→
49D
Flat hat (3)
Starts with T, ends with MTAM→
50D
Elba who portrayed Nelson Mandela (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIDRIS→
51D
"Some ___!" (5)
Starts with N, ends with ENERVE→
53D
Shenanigan (5)
Starts with A, ends with CANTIC→
54D
Java ingredient? (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECODE→
55D
Listing on a jobs website (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROLE→
56D
Losing effort (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDIET→
58D
Wilde thing (4)
Starts with P, ends with MPOEM→
59D
Cashless transaction (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSWAP→
60D
Ad or show follower (3)
Starts with B, ends with ZBIZ→
62D
African grazer (3)
Starts with G, ends with UGNU→
63D
Challenge from a hard-hit ground ball, perhaps (3)
Starts with H, ends with PHOP→
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 9, 2026?+
72 clues: 31 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Greg Snitkin and Glenn Davis and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Crush (PUPPYLOVE); They get picked up at clubs (TABS); Winning like crazy (ONAHEATER).
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.
