NYT Crossword hints and answer for October 18, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues64
Across31
Down33
ConstructorSamuel Smalley
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
Measure of rank in Maori culture, informally (7)
Starts with F, ends with TFACETAT→
8A
Bubbles (5)
Starts with F, ends with HFROTH→
13A
Sauce in Italian-American cuisine (8)
Starts with M, ends with AMARINARA→
14A
Knocked out (5)
Starts with I, ends with EINAWE→
15A
It's in right now (9)
Starts with L, ends with DLATESTFAD→
16A
Was worthy of (5)
Starts with R, ends with DRATED→
17A
Having a single purpose (5)
Starts with A, ends with CADHOC→
18A
Light that goes up when things are going down? (5)
Starts with F, ends with EFLARE→
20A
Snatch (3)
Starts with B, ends with GBAG→
21A
Crank cases? (7)
Starts with U, ends with YUFOLOGY→
23A
Something pulled in many car chase scenes, for short (6)
Starts with E, ends with EEBRAKE→
25A
Home to the Arco di Constantino (4)
Starts with R, ends with AROMA→
26A
Present a chance to get ahead (9)
Starts with O, ends with SOPENDOORS→
29A
Spaniards roll them (3)
Starts with A, ends with SARS→
30A
Was really moving, in slang (9)
Starts with H, ends with SHAULEDASS→
31A
"Uh ... I guess" (9)
Starts with W, ends with AWELLSORTA→
32A
Sources of 24/7 support (9)
Starts with H, ends with SHELPLINES→
33A
Many an attachment (3)
Starts with P, ends with FPDF→
36A
Ones catching waves (9)
Starts with R, ends with SRADIOSETS→
37A
Longtime name in Cuban politics (4)
Starts with R, ends with LRAUL→
38A
Those playing the king of Egypt in "Aïda" (6)
Starts with B, ends with SBASSOS→
39A
Monthly magazine that sponsors a large annual music festival in New Orleans (7)
Starts with E, ends with EESSENCE→
41A
Easily removed locks (3)
Starts with W, ends with GWIG→
42A
Limited assignment (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSTINT→
45A
Smallest member of the eurozone (122 square miles) (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMALTA→
46A
Appropriately change course (5)
Starts with A, ends with TADAPT→
48A
Spirals out of control? (9)
Starts with T, ends with STORNADOES→
50A
Panhellenic Games venue (5)
Starts with N, ends with ANEMEA→
51A
Can't cool off (8)
Starts with S, ends with DSTAYSMAD→
52A
Gifted (5)
Starts with A, ends with TADEPT→
53A
Culinary concurrence (7)
Starts with Y, ends with FYESCHEF→
Down
1D
Understands (7)
Starts with F, ends with SFATHOMS→
2D
Site of some piercings (6)
Starts with A, ends with AAREOLA→
3D
"There's never been a better time" tech sloganeer (5)
Starts with C, ends with OCISCO→
4D
Fangorn resident (3)
Starts with E, ends with TENT→
5D
Sweet doings at a county fair (10)
Starts with T, ends with STAFFYPULLS→
6D
___ Sea, locale of a 20th-century environmental disaster (4)
Starts with A, ends with LARAL→
7D
Cry that might be made with a bow (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATADA→
8D
Responders to cruise ship emergencies (9)
Starts with F, ends with SFIREBOATS→
9D
It works in translation (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARNA→
10D
Crunchy snacks (7)
Starts with O, ends with SOATBARS→
11D
Fine-tunes (6)
Starts with T, ends with STWEAKS→
12D
Divider of lots (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHEDGE→
13D
Really into (6)
Starts with M, ends with RMADFOR→
15D
21st-century first lady (5)
Starts with L, ends with ALAURA→
19D
Attire for many a flamenco dancer (8)
Starts with R, ends with SREDDRESS→
22D
Upright bar (8)
Starts with G, ends with TGOALPOST→
24D
Bonheur who painted "Ploughing in the Nivernais" (4)
Starts with R, ends with AROSA→
27D
Woman's name that sounds like two letters of the alphabet (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELSIE→
28D
Colorful swimmers in the Amazon (10)
Starts with N, ends with SNEONTETRAS→
30D
Energy device that reflects sunlight (9)
Starts with H, ends with THELIOSTAT→
31D
Rings up? (4)
Starts with W, ends with SWEDS→
32D
Can hold one's own, in modern lingo (7)
Starts with H, ends with EHASGAME→
33D
Bread purchase in the U.K. (7)
Starts with P, ends with FPANLOAF→
34D
Like a building's central air conditioning (6)
Starts with D, ends with DDUCTED→
35D
Dogbane? (5)
Starts with F, ends with SFLEAS→
36D
Like drug dens, sometimes (6)
Starts with R, ends with DRAIDED→
37D
FAQ heading (6)
Starts with R, ends with EREADME→
38D
East African honorific (5)
Starts with B, ends with ABWANA→
40D
Reduce to a pulp (5)
Starts with S, ends with HSMASH→
43D
Minute (4)
Starts with I, ends with YITSY→
44D
Pay attention to (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENOTE→
49D
Home to the U.S.'s first pizzeria, according to the Pizza Hall of Fame, for short (3)
Starts with N, ends with CNYC→
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 October 18, 2025?+
64 clues: 31 Across and 33 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Samuel Smalley and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Measure of rank in Maori culture, informally (FACETAT); Bubbles (FROTH); Sauce in Italian-American cuisine (MARINARA).
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.
