NYT Crossword hints and answer for September 3, 2025
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
ConstructorMichael B. Berg
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
Project for a beginning knitter (5)
Starts with S, ends with FSCARF→
6A
Petri dish medium (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAGAR→
10A
Niecy ___ of "Clean House" (4)
Starts with N, ends with HNASH→
14A
Exposed, as one's dirty laundry (5)
Starts with A, ends with DAIRED→
15A
Protein in a niçoise salad (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATUNA→
16A
Guthrie who sang "Alice's Restaurant" (4)
Starts with A, ends with OARLO→
17A
Neutral shade in some Florida décor? (10)
Starts with T, ends with ETAMPABEIGE→
19A
One getting top billing (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSTAR→
20A
Just OK (4)
Starts with S, ends with OSOSO→
21A
Break in the action (4)
Starts with L, ends with LLULL→
22A
Censures (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDAMNS→
23A
Lighthearted invitation for joining one's sled team? (12)
Starts with S, ends with ESKIPTOMYLUGE→
26A
[Is this thing on?] (6)
Starts with T, ends with PTAPTAP→
29A
Fish feared by dragons in "How to Train Your Dragon" (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEELS→
30A
Cry of defeat (5)
Starts with I, ends with TILOST→
31A
Chess piece that can be promoted (4)
Starts with P, ends with NPAWN→
34A
Creature of Sherpa folklore (4)
Starts with Y, ends with IYETI→
37A
Chop (off) (3)
Starts with L, ends with PLOP→
38A
Fancify … or a phonetic hint to 17-, 23-, 50- and 62-Across (7)
Starts with Z, ends with PZHUZHUP→
41A
Stalling sounds (3)
Starts with U, ends with SUHS→
42A
Tolkien trilogy, to fans (4)
Starts with L, ends with RLOTR→
44A
Word after latch or glom (4)
Starts with O, ends with OONTO→
45A
"Death of a Salesman" salesman (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLOMAN→
47A
A half-filled auditorium, per Robert Frost (4)
Starts with H, ends with LHELL→
49A
Puts the pedal to the metal (6)
Starts with G, ends with TGUNSIT→
50A
Headline during a zombie attack? (12)
Starts with T, ends with ETHEDEADSIEGE→
55A
Pair of cymbals with a foot pedal (5)
Starts with H, ends with THIHAT→
57A
World's most-watched television franchise, informally (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
61A
School within both Princeton and Carleton? (4)
Starts with E, ends with NETON→
62A
Price of makeup at the dollar store, informally? (10)
Starts with B, ends with EBUCKAROUGE→
64A
No longer applicable (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMOOT→
65A
Feel sore (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACHE→
66A
Console for the game Pitfall! (5)
Starts with A, ends with IATARI→
67A
Partner of odds (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENDS→
68A
Rhyming word after speed (4)
Starts with R, ends with DREAD→
69A
Loses color (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPALES→
Down
1D
Exams that are often optional (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSATS→
2D
Florence farewell (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCIAO→
3D
Munitions (4)
Starts with A, ends with SARMS→
4D
Spreads on social media (7)
Starts with R, ends with SREPOSTS→
5D
Cosmetics-regulating org. (3)
Starts with F, ends with AFDA→
6D
Couldn't get enough of (5)
Starts with A, ends with PATEUP→
7D
Reason for a tucked tail, perhaps (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGUILT→
8D
___-Saxon (5)
Starts with A, ends with OANGLO→
9D
Issa of "Insecure" (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERAE→
10D
How a Dylan impersonator might sing (7)
Starts with N, ends with YNASALLY→
11D
Tate Modern and others (10)
Starts with A, ends with SARTMUSEUMS→
12D
"That slaps," for something good, e.g. (5)
Starts with S, ends with GSLANG→
13D
One might be mounted (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHORSE→
18D
Tiny deviation from a general trend (4)
Starts with B, ends with PBLIP→
22D
Product from Rit (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDYE→
24D
New York City deli name (4)
Starts with K, ends with ZKATZ→
25D
It might be fixed at a chef's table (4)
Starts with M, ends with UMENU→
26D
Cashier's tray (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTILL→
27D
___ gobi (potato curry) (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALOO→
28D
Prepare to do an oil change, say (10)
Starts with P, ends with DPOPTHEHOOD→
31D
"The shoddy sandwich knife couldn't cut the mustard," e.g. (3)
Starts with P, ends with NPUN→
32D
Early H.I.V. med (3)
Starts with A, ends with TAZT→
33D
"___ knows?" (3)
Starts with W, ends with OWHO→
35D
Phuket native (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITHAI→
36D
"___ she lovely?" (Stevie Wonder question) (4)
Starts with I, ends with TISNT→
39D
Greeting that becomes another greeting if you add an A at the front and reverse it (4)
Starts with H, ends with AHOLA→
40D
Promote (4)
Starts with P, ends with GPLUG→
43D
Stinging insects (7)
Starts with R, ends with SREDANTS→
46D
The least amount a person might give (7)
Starts with O, ends with AONEIOTA→
48D
Tennis umpire's call (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLET→
49D
Rowlands of "A Woman Under the Influence" (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGENA→
50D
Subject (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETHEME→
51D
Discover by chance (5)
Starts with H, ends with NHITON→
52D
Two in a hand (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDEUCE→
53D
___ Baron Cohen, "The Trial of the Chicago 7" actor (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASACHA→
54D
Ticked off (5)
Starts with I, ends with DIRKED→
58D
Twofold (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDUAL→
59D
Fairy tale baddie (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOGRE→
60D
Some island rings (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLEIS→
62D
Setting for many a joke with a priest, a pastor and a rabbi (3)
Starts with B, ends with RBAR→
63D
Sharp knock (3)
Starts with R, ends with PRAP→
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 3, 2025?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Michael B. Berg and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Project for a beginning knitter (SCARF); Petri dish medium (AGAR); Niecy ___ of "Clean House" (NASH).
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.
