NYT Crossword hints and answer for September 15, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues81
Across40
Down41
ConstructorNate Cardin
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
Laffy ___, candy with a rhyming name (5)
Starts with T, ends with YTAFFY→
6A
Poker buy-in (4)
Starts with A, ends with EANTE→
10A
"The windows to the soul," metaphorically (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEYES→
14A
Frighten (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCARE→
15A
Villain's hideout (4)
Starts with L, ends with RLAIR→
16A
American Girl toy (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDOLL→
17A
Cringey ad campaign going viral, for example (10)
Starts with P, ends with RPRDISASTER→
19A
Madonna's "La ___ Bonita" (4)
Starts with I, ends with AISLA→
20A
Goes out with (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSEES→
21A
Piglet and Pooh's marsupial friend (3)
Starts with R, ends with OROO→
22A
"Well, in that case ..." (6)
Starts with O, ends with NOKTHEN→
24A
Clic Stic and Wite-Out brand (3)
Starts with B, ends with CBIC→
26A
Character at the heart of the "Who shot ...?" cliffhanger of 1980s TV (7)
Starts with J, ends with GJREWING→
27A
Colombian cornmeal cake (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAREPA→
29A
San José, ___ Rica (5)
Starts with C, ends with ACOSTA→
30A
Oculus Rift or Meta Quest 3 (9)
Starts with V, ends with TVRHEADSET→
32A
Opposite of chaos (5)
Starts with O, ends with RORDER→
36A
Texter's "I think ..." (3)
Starts with I, ends with OIMO→
37A
Started a game of blackjack, say (5)
Starts with D, ends with TDEALT→
38A
18-wheeler (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISEMI→
39A
Agrees nonverbally (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNODS→
41A
Red root vegetables (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBEETS→
44A
Kind of rally at high school (3)
Starts with P, ends with PPEP→
45A
Put up, as a building (5)
Starts with E, ends with TERECT→
47A
Many characters on "The Pitt" (9)
Starts with E, ends with SERDOCTORS→
49A
"Quick!" (5)
Starts with H, ends with YHURRY→
51A
Group holding a nominating convention (5)
Starts with P, ends with YPARTY→
52A
Scannable squares often used in place of paper menus (7)
Starts with Q, ends with SQRCODES→
55A
___-Wan Kenobi (3)
Starts with O, ends with IOBI→
56A
Rang, as a bell (6)
Starts with T, ends with DTOLLED→
57A
Pooch's bark (3)
Starts with A, ends with FARF→
59A
Paddington Bear's country of origin (4)
Starts with P, ends with UPERU→
63A
What a light bulb represents, in comics (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIDEA→
64A
Puppet dragon of 1960s kids' TV (10)
Starts with H, ends with FHRPUFNSTUF→
67A
Bottom-heavy fruit (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPEAR→
68A
Britney Spears's "___! ... I Did It Again" (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOOPS→
69A
Perform better than (5)
Starts with O, ends with OOUTDO→
70A
Daughters' brothers (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSONS→
72A
French fries-to-be (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSPUDS→
Down
1D
Cough syrup amts. (4)
Starts with T, ends with STSPS→
2D
Farmland measure (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACRE→
3D
Haircut that transitions from shorter sides to longer top (4)
Starts with F, ends with EFADE→
4D
Ultimate ___ (team sport) (7)
Starts with F, ends with EFRISBEE→
5D
Word of consent (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYES→
7D
Grp. with a phonetic alphabet (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONATO→
8D
Cause for overtime (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETIE→
9D
Screw-ups (6)
Starts with E, ends with SERRORS→
10D
Conflicts over Wikipedia content (8)
Starts with E, ends with SEDITWARS→
11D
Mario's dinosaur sidekick (5)
Starts with Y, ends with IYOSHI→
12D
Actress Pompeo of "Grey's Anatomy" (5)
Starts with E, ends with NELLEN→
13D
Vernacular found in Urban Dictionary (5)
Starts with S, ends with GSLANG→
18D
Place for coin-op game machines (6)
Starts with A, ends with EARCADE→
23D
Kind of high-fat diet (4)
Starts with K, ends with OKETO→
25D
Tablet with Pro, Air and mini versions (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIPAD→
26D
Scribbled (down) (6)
Starts with J, ends with DJOTTED→
27D
Knight's wear (5)
Starts with A, ends with RARMOR→
28D
The "R" in R.I. (5)
Starts with R, ends with ERHODE→
29D
The "log" in "ants on a log" (6)
Starts with C, ends with YCELERY→
30D
Trellis-climbing plant (4)
Starts with V, ends with EVINE→
31D
"Light" Jedi weapons (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSABERS→
33D
Railroad station (5)
Starts with D, ends with TDEPOT→
34D
Manicurist's filing board (5)
Starts with E, ends with YEMERY→
35D
Laces (into) (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRIPS→
40D
Well-educated sorts (8)
Starts with S, ends with SSCHOLARS→
42D
Fill back to capacity, as a glass (6)
Starts with T, ends with FTOPOFF→
43D
Healing cover (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSCAB→
46D
"Lose the ___, dude!" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETUDE→
48D
Causes to make a mistake (7)
Starts with T, ends with PTRIPSUP→
50D
Bit of fiery cinnamon candy (6)
Starts with R, ends with TREDHOT→
52D
Cotton swabs not recommended for ear canal use (5)
Starts with Q, ends with SQTIPS→
53D
Cowboy contest (5)
Starts with R, ends with ORODEO→
54D
Fresh from the dishwasher (5)
Starts with C, ends with NCLEAN→
57D
Grindr and Tinder, for two (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPPS→
58D
Sign of decay (4)
Starts with R, ends with TRUST→
60D
"___, Brute?" (4)
Starts with E, ends with UETTU→
61D
"Ant-Man" star Paul (4)
Starts with R, ends with DRUDD→
62D
Sights that make you go "What the …?!" (4)
Starts with U, ends with SUFOS→
65D
___ v. Wade (1973 Supreme Court decision) (3)
Starts with R, ends with EROE→
66D
Rejections (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNOS→
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 September 15, 2026?+
81 clues: 40 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Nate Cardin and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Laffy ___, candy with a rhyming name (TAFFY); Poker buy-in (ANTE); "The windows to the soul," metaphorically (EYES).
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.
