NYT Crossword hints and answer for July 12, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues138
Across60
Down78
TitleSlight Adjustments
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
One-named singer from County Donegal (4)
Starts with E, ends with AENYA→
5A
Spot treatment provider? (6)
Starts with P, ends with APETSPA→
11A
You might need to lose a few to get them (3)
Starts with A, ends with SABS→
14A
Problem with a story (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHOLE→
18A
Shallot relatives (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLEEKS→
20A
Icon beside a username (6)
Starts with A, ends with RAVATAR→
21A
Push-up, for example (3)
Starts with B, ends with ABRA→
22A
Asia's rejuvenated North ___ Sea (4)
Starts with A, ends with LARAL→
23A
"I vant to suck your blood!" (12)
Starts with B, ends with KBITINGREMARK→
25A
White Claws, e.g. (8)
Starts with S, ends with SSELTZERS→
27A
Twisted balloon shapes, typically (7)
Starts with A, ends with SANIMALS→
28A
Doesn't wait to find out, say (4)
Starts with A, ends with SASKS→
29A
Video game setting for noobs (8)
Starts with E, ends with EEASYMODE→
30A
Sculptor's degree, for short (3)
Starts with B, ends with ABFA→
31A
Little annoyance (4)
Starts with F, ends with AFLEA→
32A
Turkey part (6)
Starts with A, ends with AANKARA→
33A
"I know you're the one who used up the last of my artisanal coffee!" (20)
Starts with G, ends with NGROUNDLESSACCUSATION→
40A
Apt letters missing from PRO_EC_T_ (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESUE→
41A
Reef setting (3)
Starts with C, ends with YCAY→
42A
Profound (4)
Starts with D, ends with PDEEP→
43A
Preserve (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESAVE→
44A
Prepared to pray (7)
Starts with K, ends with DKNEELED→
47A
Contradictory (6)
Starts with A, ends with SATODDS→
50A
"In ___," Colin Farrell dark comedy set in Belgium (6)
Starts with B, ends with SBRUGES→
52A
Digs in the snow? (5)
Starts with I, ends with OIGLOO→
53A
Gridiron unit that includes the nose tackle, informally (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDLINE→
54A
Certain bony protrusions (7)
Starts with B, ends with SBUNIONS→
55A
"If you don't find the rings this instant, I'm calling off the wedding!" (18)
Starts with T, ends with TTHINLYVEILEDTHREAT→
60A
Prodigal ___ (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSON→
62A
Author Colfer of the "Artemis Fowl" series (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEOIN→
63A
Palindromic family member (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSIS→
66A
"I love your paintings so much, I'd like to finance your next exhibition!" (18)
Starts with P, ends with TPATRONIZINGCOMMENT→
73A
What fighter pilots fight, for short (7)
Starts with G, ends with SGFORCES→
76A
Noggins (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDOMES→
77A
Device for sending group messages? (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOUIJA→
78A
Lap, maybe (6)
Starts with R, ends with SREPASS→
81A
Surf in a daring way (7)
Starts with H, ends with NHANGTEN→
83A
"You can say that again" (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAMEN→
84A
Japanese city known for its beef (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKOBE→
85A
Shop ___ (3)
Starts with V, ends with CVAC→
86A
Pack-bearing beast (3)
Starts with A, ends with SASS→
87A
"Wow! With form like that, you're headed to Wimbledon!" (20)
Starts with B, ends with TBACKHANDEDCOMPLIMENT→
95A
Stroke gently (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCARESS→
96A
Puts away (4)
Starts with I, ends with SICES→
97A
Planner unit (3)
Starts with D, ends with YDAY→
98A
"Don't fall for that!" (8)
Starts with I, ends with PITSATRAP→
101A
Like many wines and cheeses (4)
Starts with A, ends with DAGED→
102A
Gallery collection (7)
Starts with F, ends with TFINEART→
106A
Where one might drink a mai tai or piña colada (8)
Starts with P, ends with EPOOLSIDE→
107A
"I'm so glad you shaved! I hated when you looked like a sexy lumberjack!" (12)
Starts with B, ends with EBALDFACEDLIE→
109A
Kind of contraceptive (4)
Starts with O, ends with LORAL→
110A
Compete (3)
Starts with V, ends with EVIE→
111A
Josh of "No Country for Old Men" (6)
Starts with B, ends with NBROLIN→
112A
Love seats, e.g. (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSOFAS→
113A
Certain body-weight exercises (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDIPS→
114A
The Big Crunch, theoretically, for our universe (3)
Starts with E, ends with DEND→
115A
Daisy relatives (6)
Starts with A, ends with SASTERS→
116A
Quitter's word (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCANT→
Down
1D
Actor Idris (4)
Starts with E, ends with AELBA→
2D
German dissent (4)
Starts with N, ends with NNEIN→
3D
Himalayan menace (4)
Starts with Y, ends with IYETI→
4D
With hands on hips (6)
Starts with A, ends with OAKIMBO→
5D
Common occurrences for scratch golfers (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPARS→
6D
Apple consumer (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEVE→
7D
Mesoamerican staple cooked in a cornhusk (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETAMALE→
8D
Equilibria (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTASES→
9D
Heavy coats (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPARKAS→
10D
Torah vessels (4)
Starts with A, ends with SARKS→
11D
Things marked during attendance (8)
Starts with A, ends with SABSENCES→
12D
End it (7)
Starts with B, ends with PBREAKUP→
13D
They might be green or red (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSALSAS→
14D
Dress for a job you probably don't want? (10)
Starts with H, ends with THAZMATSUIT→
15D
Apt name for a tuxedo cat (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOREO→
16D
Embellish as with unnecessary words (4)
Starts with L, ends with DLARD→
17D
Alternatively (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELSE→
19D
Screw-up (5)
Starts with S, ends with USNAFU→
24D
Ricochet (6)
Starts with G, ends with EGLANCE→
26D
Supermodel Banks (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATYRA→
31D
Groovy (3)
Starts with F, ends with YFLY→
32D
Crushed, in a way (4)
Starts with A, ends with DACED→
33D
Rarin' to go (6)
Starts with G, ends with OGUNGHO→
34D
Land, as a fish (6)
Starts with R, ends with NREELIN→
35D
Palindromic family member (3)
Starts with D, ends with DDAD→
36D
Contributed (5)
Starts with A, ends with DADDED→
37D
Shakespeare character who declares "I am not what I am" (4)
Starts with I, ends with OIAGO→
38D
Baker's necessity (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOVEN→
39D
Loch ___ (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNESS→
40D
Sketches (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSKITS→
45D
Vast span (3)
Starts with E, ends with NEON→
46D
[That was a good one] (3)
Starts with L, ends with LLOL→
47D
The thing in "The Thing," for one (5)
Starts with A, ends with NALIEN→
48D
"Open ___ midnight" (3)
Starts with T, ends with LTIL→
49D
United (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
50D
No es ___ (Spanish put-down) (5)
Starts with B, ends with OBUENO→
51D
Cellular messenger (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARNA→
53D
Audience stat (4)
Starts with D, ends with ODEMO→
54D
___-a-brac (4)
Starts with B, ends with CBRIC→
56D
David who directed the final four Harry Potter films (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYATES→
57D
Tape players (4)
Starts with V, ends with SVCRS→
58D
2020 Christopher Nolan sci-fi movie (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTENET→
59D
Uses more than one's fair share of (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHOGS→
63D
Tofu alternative (6)
Starts with S, ends with NSEITAN→
64D
As a joke (6)
Starts with I, ends with TINJEST→
65D
Obsessive supporters, in modern lingo (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTANS→
66D
Bull rings? (10)
Starts with P, ends with SPRANKCALLS→
67D
Some summer purchases, informally (3)
Starts with A, ends with SACS→
68D
Laid off (5)
Starts with I, ends with DIDLED→
69D
Madhouse (3)
Starts with Z, ends with OZOO→
70D
Texter's qualifier (3)
Starts with I, ends with OIMO→
71D
Dude in Jamaica (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMON→
72D
Root beer order (3)
Starts with M, ends with GMUG→
73D
Clutch (4)
Starts with G, ends with BGRAB→
74D
Disaster relief org. (4)
Starts with F, ends with AFEMA→
75D
Noted example of oligopoly, in brief (4)
Starts with O, ends with COPEC→
79D
"Have a safe trip" (8)
Starts with G, ends with DGODSPEED→
80D
Fivers (4)
Starts with A, ends with SABES→
81D
"2001" villain (3)
Starts with H, ends with LHAL→
82D
Far from basic (6)
Starts with A, ends with CACIDIC→
84D
Baking recipe instruction (7)
Starts with K, ends with NKNEADIN→
85D
Biden and Bush, once, in brief (3)
Starts with V, ends with SVPS→
88D
Professional responsibilities, colloquially (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHATS→
89D
Show up (6)
Starts with A, ends with EARRIVE→
90D
Cubans, e.g. (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCIGARS→
91D
Spotted wildcat (6)
Starts with O, ends with TOCELOT→
92D
Put your nose where it doesn't belong, say (6)
Starts with M, ends with EMEDDLE→
93D
Flowing tresses (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMANES→
94D
One looking after pupils, for short (6)
Starts with E, ends with CEYEDOC→
98D
Device outmoded by the smartphone (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIPOD→
99D
"Holesome" figures (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITORI→
100D
Carving material for beginners (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSOAP→
101D
___ Arena, concert venue in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (4)
Starts with A, ends with AABBA→
102D
Waves a hand in front of, maybe (4)
Starts with F, ends with SFANS→
103D
___ Romeo (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALFA→
104D
Director Johnson of "Knives Out" (4)
Starts with R, ends with NRIAN→
105D
Word repeated into a mic (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTEST→
108D
Symbol on an Oregon license plate (3)
Starts with F, ends with RFIR→
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 July 12, 2026?+
138 clues: 60 Across and 78 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Collin Drown and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: One-named singer from County Donegal (ENYA); Spot treatment provider? (PETSPA); You might need to lose a few to get them (ABS).
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.
