NYT Crossword hints and answer for May 19, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across35
Down41
ConstructorBrad Wiegmann
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
What you eat (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDIET→
5A
Campfire confection (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESMORE→
10A
Mama ___ of the Mamas & the Papas (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCASS→
14A
Clearasil target (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACNE→
15A
Hawkeye (5)
Starts with I, ends with NIOWAN→
16A
Sound of a horse's hoof (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCLOP→
17A
Standard musical progression (15)
Starts with P, ends with EPENTATONICSCALE→
20A
Dry and withered (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESERE→
21A
"Dinner's ready!" (7)
Starts with S, ends with NSOUPSON→
22A
High court judge? (11)
Starts with C, ends with ECHAIRUMPIRE→
26A
Joke (around) (3)
Starts with K, ends with DKID→
27A
Whale groups (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPODS→
28A
Michael of "The Man Who Would Be King" (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECAINE→
29A
Joint thing in the Venn diagram of "instruments" and "fish" (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBASS→
30A
"That's so sweet!" reactions (3)
Starts with A, ends with SAWS→
31A
Semaphore device (4)
Starts with F, ends with GFLAG→
32A
Patty or Selma, to Bart Simpson (4)
Starts with A, ends with TAUNT→
33A
Basketball or baseball, but not boxing (9)
Starts with T, ends with TTEAMSPORT→
36A
Frozen dessert franchise (4)
Starts with T, ends with YTCBY→
38A
New Zealander (4)
Starts with K, ends with IKIWI→
39A
Denali, e.g.: Abbr. (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMTN→
42A
Heads of Hogwarts? (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLOOS→
45A
Free-spirited aesthetic (4)
Starts with B, ends with OBOHO→
46A
"Ick!" (3)
Starts with E, ends with WEWW→
47A
Matching pair on many jets (11)
Starts with T, ends with STWINENGINES→
49A
Massachusetts locale of Manchester-by-the-Sea (7)
Starts with C, ends with NCAPEANN→
51A
"Yikes!" (4)
Starts with E, ends with DEGAD→
52A
Requirement at some comedy clubs … or for 17-, 22-, 33- and 47-Across? (15)
Starts with T, ends with MTWODRINKMINIMUM→
57A
Like a gut course (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEASY→
58A
African country that's another African country minus its final two letters (5)
Starts with N, ends with RNIGER→
59A
Generic canine name (4)
Starts with F, ends with OFIDO→
60A
Breads for Reuben sandwiches (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRYES→
61A
"Beau ___" (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGESTE→
62A
Leak slowly (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSEEP→
Down
1D
Fist bump (3)
Starts with D, ends with PDAP→
2D
Skating exhibition (7)
Starts with I, ends with WICESHOW→
3D
Groups of nine (7)
Starts with E, ends with SENNEADS→
4D
Classic falling-block game (6)
Starts with T, ends with STETRIS→
5D
Basic dog command (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSIT→
6D
It's heard in a herd (3)
Starts with M, ends with OMOO→
7D
___ goal (soccer blunder) (3)
Starts with O, ends with NOWN→
8D
Gorp tidbit (6)
Starts with R, ends with NRAISIN→
9D
Number added at the end? (6)
Starts with E, ends with EENCORE→
10D
Cyrillic version of "U.S.S.R." (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCCCP→
11D
From Nome or Juneau (7)
Starts with A, ends with NALASKAN→
12D
Lone star? (7)
Starts with S, ends with TSOLOIST→
13D
Drops some cash (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSPENDS→
18D
___ Lingus (3)
Starts with A, ends with RAER→
19D
Bird of the W.N.B.A. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESUE→
22D
Return sender, maybe, in brief (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACPA→
23D
Sch. whose campus is just off Interstate 405 (4)
Starts with U, ends with AUCLA→
24D
Sir's counterpart (4)
Starts with M, ends with MMAAM→
25D
Football, informally (7)
Starts with P, ends with NPIGSKIN→
29D
Slowly ___ surely (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBUT→
31D
Tina who hosted the debut of "Saturday Night Live UK" (3)
Starts with F, ends with YFEY→
32D
"Entourage" agent Gold (3)
Starts with A, ends with IARI→
33D
Atlanta-based network (3)
Starts with T, ends with STBS→
34D
Leaves together? (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPILE→
35D
Actor Wilson (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOWEN→
36D
___ zone (no-parking area) (7)
Starts with T, ends with YTOWAWAY→
37D
Yoga stance on all fours (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECOWPOSE→
39D
Term of friendship for a French woman (7)
Starts with M, ends with EMONAMIE→
40D
Nickname for Jeffrey Lebowski in "The Big Lebowski" (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETHEDUDE→
41D
Those opposed (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNOS→
42D
Villain in "The Silence of the Lambs" (6)
Starts with L, ends with RLECTER→
43D
Cafe canopy (6)
Starts with A, ends with GAWNING→
44D
Companion to Fannie and Freddie in the mortgage biz (6)
Starts with G, ends with EGINNIE→
45D
Major unknowns (6)
Starts with B, ends with SBIGIFS→
47D
Sailor, informally (3)
Starts with T, ends with RTAR→
48D
___ Z (Zoomers) (3)
Starts with G, ends with NGEN→
50D
"Grand" ice cream brand (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEDYS→
53D
Units in a tonne: Abbr. (3)
Starts with K, ends with SKGS→
54D
Was introduced to (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMET→
56D
Swiffer WetJet, e.g. (3)
Starts with M, ends with PMOP→
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 May 19, 2026?+
76 clues: 35 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Brad Wiegmann and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: What you eat (DIET); Campfire confection (SMORE); Mama ___ of the Mamas & the Papas (CASS).
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.
