NYT Crossword hints and answer for March 20, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues70
Across35
Down35
ConstructorRafael Musa and Rebecca Goldstein
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
Rush order (4)
Starts with A, ends with PASAP→
5A
Political commentator Piker (5)
Starts with H, ends with NHASAN→
10A
Like a workhorse (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSHOD→
14A
Animal sanctuary (10)
Starts with G, ends with EGAMEREFUGE→
16A
Kachina-carving people (4)
Starts with H, ends with IHOPI→
17A
Going against the grain? (10)
Starts with G, ends with EGLUTENFREE→
18A
Sign to be read (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOMEN→
19A
"Easy peasy!" (8)
Starts with I, ends with PITSASNAP→
20A
Pesos or euros (6)
Starts with D, ends with ODINERO→
22A
Knack for details, say (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEYE→
23A
World capital split by the world's longest river (5)
Starts with C, ends with OCAIRO→
25A
Some scenery in "The Road Runner Show" (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMESAS→
26A
Fare ways to go? (8)
Starts with B, ends with SBUSRIDES→
28A
Law with an "individual mandate" provision, for short (3)
Starts with A, ends with AACA→
29A
Athlete nicknamed "O Rei" (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPELE→
31A
Farm female (3)
Starts with S, ends with WSOW→
32A
Giant Jesus (4)
Starts with A, ends with UALOU→
33A
Words before confirming something (15)
Starts with J, ends with RJUSTSOWERECLEAR→
37A
Fundamentals (4)
Starts with A, ends with SABCS→
38A
Gym circuit (3)
Starts with L, ends with PLAP→
39A
Remove unceremoniously (4)
Starts with O, ends with TOUST→
40A
Exec who leads software engineers (3)
Starts with C, ends with OCTO→
41A
Philosophy of a devil's advocate? (8)
Starts with S, ends with MSATANISM→
44A
Danish money (5)
Starts with K, ends with EKRONE→
46A
Step heavily (5)
Starts with T, ends with PTRAMP→
47A
Word repeated in "With a ___ ___ here and a ___ ___ there …" (3)
Starts with M, ends with OMOO→
50A
Feels sympathy for, in a way (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPITIES→
52A
Publishes an exposé, say (8)
Starts with T, ends with LTELLSALL→
54A
It'll warm your buns (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOVEN→
55A
Biological building blocks (10)
Starts with A, ends with SAMINOACIDS→
57A
Get spent (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETIRE→
58A
"Be gentle" (10)
Starts with G, ends with EGOEASYONME→
59A
Give guff (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSASS→
60A
Desirable feature (5)
Starts with A, ends with TASSET→
61A
Gukesh Dommaraju, upon becoming world chess champion in 2024 (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTEEN→
Down
1D
Texas A&M athlete (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAGGIE→
2D
Like foods that increase thirst (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSALTY→
3D
Tickle (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAMUSE→
4D
Pro-vegan org. (4)
Starts with P, ends with APETA→
5D
Applies a certain hair dye to (6)
Starts with H, ends with SHENNAS→
7D
Things that send people into hiding (15)
Starts with S, ends with SSURPRISEPARTIES→
8D
Dating app listing (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAGE→
9D
Basic ___ (4)
Starts with N, ends with DNEED→
10D
Beamed (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHONE→
11D
Zillow data (9)
Starts with H, ends with SHOMESALES→
12D
Dramatic outerwear for the theater (9)
Starts with O, ends with TOPERACOAT→
13D
Very old-fashioned sort (8)
Starts with D, ends with RDINOSAUR→
15D
Some adopted pets (7)
Starts with R, ends with SRESCUES→
21D
Pings, for short (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIMS→
26D
Sandwiches that are neither kosher nor halal (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBLTS→
27D
Farm female (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEWE→
29D
Drinking game? (9)
Starts with P, ends with APUBTRIVIA→
30D
Modern urban transportation options (9)
Starts with E, ends with SESCOOTERS→
32D
Reunion attendee, informally (4)
Starts with A, ends with MALUM→
33D
Lotto prizes (8)
Starts with J, ends with SJACKPOTS→
34D
Greeting often followed by "Como vai?" (3)
Starts with O, ends with AOLA→
35D
British engineer James (4)
Starts with W, ends with TWATT→
36D
Be a hero, say (7)
Starts with C, ends with YCOSPLAY→
41D
"Get it?" (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESEE→
42D
Viral 2010s dance that Hillary Clinton performed on TV (6)
Starts with N, ends with ENAENAE→
43D
"This makes no sense" (6)
Starts with I, ends with TIMLOST→
45D
Poker hand known as a "Wayne Gretzky" (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNINES→
47D
It has more than 4,000 islands off its coast (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMAINE→
48D
Pre-transformation self (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOLDME→
49D
Actress Elizabeth of "Eternity" (5)
Starts with O, ends with NOLSEN→
51D
It's a long story (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASAGA→
53D
Participant in the Jacobite rebellion of the 1740s (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSCOT→
56D
Approaches, in brief (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMOS→
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 March 20, 2026?+
70 clues: 35 Across and 35 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Rafael Musa and Rebecca Goldstein and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Rush order (ASAP); Political commentator Piker (HASAN); Like a workhorse (SHOD).
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.
