NYT Crossword hints and answer for October 19, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across38
Down40
ConstructorMichele Govier
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
Center of the solar system, with "the" (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSUN→
4A
"A Fish Called ___" (5)
Starts with W, ends with AWANDA→
9A
Tiny terror (3)
Starts with I, ends with PIMP→
12A
"Where the Wild Things ___" (3)
Starts with A, ends with EARE→
13A
Cafe overhang (6)
Starts with A, ends with GAWNING→
15A
Hotel booking (4)
Starts with R, ends with MROOM→
17A
Supermarket franchise inits. (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIGA→
18A
Giving excessive praise and flattery (11)
Starts with F, ends with RFAWNINGOVER→
20A
Second-in-command (6)
Starts with D, ends with YDEPUTY→
22A
Will of "Arrested Development" (6)
Starts with A, ends with TARNETT→
23A
Gives the nod (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOKS→
24A
Dutch beer brand (6)
Starts with A, ends with LAMSTEL→
27A
Bundle of hay (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBALE→
29A
Branch plant? (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETREE→
30A
"The Raven" writer, in footnotes (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEAPOE→
34A
Used goods disclaimer (4)
Starts with A, ends with SASIS→
35A
Urban casual fashion (10)
Starts with S, ends with RSTREETWEAR→
37A
Sombrero or fedora (3)
Starts with H, ends with THAT→
39A
U.K. thank-yous (3)
Starts with T, ends with STAS→
40A
Alias letters (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAKA→
41A
"You are correct" (10)
Starts with T, ends with TTHATSRIGHT→
44A
Perfect tennis serves (4)
Starts with A, ends with SACES→
45A
Muscle-bone connector (5)
Starts with S, ends with WSINEW→
46A
Some jeans that aren't Wranglers or Levi's (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLEES→
47A
Philosopher Descartes (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERENE→
48A
Made some waves? (6)
Starts with P, ends with DPERMED→
50A
See 61-Across (3)
Starts with C, ends with MCOM→
51A
"Is it OK for me to leave?" (6)
Starts with C, ends with OCANIGO→
54A
Home country of Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling (6)
Starts with C, ends with ACANADA→
57A
Punches the air … or a hint to what 1-Across creates in this puzzle (11)
Starts with S, ends with SSHADOWBOXES→
61A
With 50-Across, many a feel-good flick (3)
Starts with R, ends with MROM→
62A
Giveaway, in poker (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTELL→
63A
Like a meditation retreat (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESERENE→
64A
Letter between phi and psi (3)
Starts with C, ends with ICHI→
65A
Month with Mother's Day (3)
Starts with M, ends with YMAY→
66A
Law school class (5)
Starts with T, ends with STORTS→
67A
"You ___ to be there!" (3)
Starts with H, ends with DHAD→
Down
1D
Uttered (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSAID→
2D
Strong desire (4)
Starts with U, ends with EURGE→
3D
Tricolored ice cream flavor (10)
Starts with N, ends with NNEAPOLITAN→
4D
Floats in the breeze (5)
Starts with W, ends with SWAFTS→
5D
Not home (4)
Starts with A, ends with YAWAY→
6D
180° from SSE (3)
Starts with N, ends with WNNW→
7D
Cacophony (3)
Starts with D, ends with NDIN→
8D
Darth Vader's childhood nickname (3)
Starts with A, ends with IANI→
9D
Rule with no exceptions (7)
Starts with I, ends with WIRONLAW→
10D
Change places (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMOVE→
11D
What everyone becomes at the touch of love, per Plato's "Symposium" (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPOET→
14D
Little annoyance you might swat at (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGNAT→
16D
"Rocky III" actor with a mohawk (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMRT→
19D
Waves to, e.g. (6)
Starts with G, ends with SGREETS→
21D
Luau strings, informally (4)
Starts with U, ends with SUKES→
24D
Work likely to be shown at an independent cinema (7)
Starts with A, ends with MARTFILM→
25D
Debussy's "La ___" (3)
Starts with M, ends with RMER→
26D
Was fuming mad (7)
Starts with S, ends with DSEETHED→
27D
Thai currency units (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBAHTS→
28D
Sapporo rival (5)
Starts with A, ends with IASAHI→
29D
Pre-1917 Russian autocrat (4)
Starts with T, ends with RTSAR→
31D
Antiwar protest (10)
Starts with P, ends with HPEACEMARCH→
32D
Like some wine casks (5)
Starts with O, ends with NOAKEN→
33D
Clear, as a chalkboard (5)
Starts with E, ends with EERASE→
36D
Uber ___ (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEATS→
38D
New York city, county or river (6)
Starts with O, ends with OOSWEGO→
42D
Without enthusiasm (7)
Starts with T, ends with YTEPIDLY→
43D
"Golly!" (3)
Starts with G, ends with EGEE→
44D
Elvis Presley's middle name (4)
Starts with A, ends with NARON→
49D
Uses oars (4)
Starts with R, ends with SROWS→
50D
Assignments for lawyers and judges (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCASES→
51D
Winter hrs. in Wichita (3)
Starts with C, ends with TCST→
52D
Attention-getting sound (4)
Starts with A, ends with MAHEM→
53D
Simba's mate in "The Lion King" (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANALA→
55D
Capital of Qatar (4)
Starts with D, ends with ADOHA→
56D
In amongst (4)
Starts with A, ends with DAMID→
59D
Gold, in Granada (3)
Starts with O, ends with OORO→
60D
Gen ___ (Zoomer's parent) (3)
Starts with X, ends with RXER→
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 19, 2026?+
78 clues: 38 Across and 40 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Michele Govier and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Center of the solar system, with "the" (SUN); "A Fish Called ___" (WANDA); Tiny terror (IMP).
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.
