NYT Crossword hints and answer for October 4, 2025

Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.

Clues62
Across31
Down31
ConstructorRyan McCarty

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
Field of unknowns (7)
Starts with A, ends with AALGEBRA→
13A
Scrapes from a motorcycle fall (8)
Starts with R, ends with HROADRASH→
18A
Facedown (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPRONE→
19A
Shrink back (6)
Starts with R, ends with LRECOIL→
20A
Place for eggs (3)
Starts with S, ends with CSAC→
22A
Muttonhead (4)
Starts with L, ends with KLUNK→
23A
Cousin of a springbok (5)
Starts with E, ends with DELAND→
26A
Delight (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSEND→
27A
Vulcans, for one (9)
Starts with A, ends with EALIENRACE→
28A
Christmas carol contraction (3)
Starts with T, ends with STIS→
30A
Slow-but-steady advancements (9)
Starts with B, ends with SBABYSTEPS→
31A
Get a Lyft, say (9)
Starts with R, ends with ERIDESHARE→
32A
Short greetings (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHIS→
35A
They may stop the presses (9)
Starts with G, ends with SGAGORDERS→
37A
Initial challenge (9)
Starts with F, ends with TFIRSTTEST→
38A
Knock one out of the park (5)
Starts with H, ends with RHOMER→
39A
With, en français (4)
Starts with A, ends with CAVEC→
40A
Org. offering jumps (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAAA→
41A
Vittorio who directed "Bicycle Thieves" (6)
Starts with D, ends with ADESICA→
42A
Buck the establishment (5)
Starts with R, ends with LREBEL→
44A
Split (9)
Starts with D, ends with PDIVVIEDUP→
46A
Remains to be seen? (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRUINS→
47A
Certain expectant parents (8)
Starts with D, ends with EDADSTOBE→
48A
Stopped vacillating (5)
Starts with O, ends with DOPTED→
49A
7-Eleven and Circle K, informally (7)
Starts with C, ends with SCSTORES→

Down

1D
Focus of an airplane battle, maybe (7)
Starts with A, ends with TARMREST→
2D
Legendary rock singer? (7)
Starts with L, ends with ILORELEI→
3D
Containers that are often red (7)
Starts with G, ends with SGASCANS→
4D
Halley of Halley's comet (6)
Starts with E, ends with DEDMOND→
5D
Cornrow, e.g. (5)
Starts with B, ends with DBRAID→
6D
Skate park fixture (4)
Starts with R, ends with LRAIL→
7D
Mount for Quixote's squire (3)
Starts with A, ends with SASS→
9D
Assistance for short drivers? (8)
Starts with C, ends with SCARLOANS→
10D
Walk with exaggerated motions (7)
Starts with F, ends with EFLOUNCE→
11D
___ Johnson, inventor of the Super Soaker (6)
Starts with L, ends with ELONNIE→
17D
Result of sleeping in, say (9)
Starts with L, ends with TLATESTART→
21D
Moves along quickly, as a horse (7)
Starts with C, ends with SCANTERS→
24D
Protects oneself, possum-style (9)
Starts with P, ends with DPLAYSDEAD→
25D
Fumble around in the dark (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGROPE→
27D
Home of Banff National Park (7)
Starts with A, ends with AALBERTA→
29D
Wonder Woman portrayer (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGADOT→
30D
Brouhaha (8)
Starts with B, ends with EBIGSCENE→
31D
"Welsh" dish with melted cheese (7)
Starts with R, ends with TRAREBIT→
32D
Cuban container (7)
Starts with H, ends with RHUMIDOR→
33D
Water cooler? (7)
Starts with I, ends with EICECUBE→
34D
Colorful shawls (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSERAPES→
35D
"Are you done guessing?" (6)
Starts with G, ends with PGIVEUP→
36D
Get bested by (6)
Starts with L, ends with OLOSETO→
37D
Grain with a nutty flavor (5)
Starts with F, ends with OFARRO→
38D
Safe job? (5)
Starts with H, ends with THEIST→
41D
Netflix offerings until 2023 (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDVDS→
43D
Source of some flashbacks (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLSD→
45D
Sucker, for short (3)
Starts with V, ends with CVAC→

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 4, 2025?+

62 clues: 31 Across and 31 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Ryan McCarty and edited by Will Shortz.

What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+

For example: Field of unknowns (ALGEBRA); Lead role in the highest-grossing film of 1985 (MCFLY); Scrapes from a motorcycle fall (ROADRASH).

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.

Today’s other puzzle answers

NYT Crossword guides