NYT Crossword hints and answer for September 4, 2026
Hints that get gradually more specific, then the answer if you need it. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues66
Across34
Down32
ConstructorJulian Xiao
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
Result of a tense build-up? (10)
Starts with J, ends with RJENGATOWER→
11A
Hit a point of no return? (4)
Starts with A, ends with DACED→
15A
Kick off (10)
Starts with I, ends with EINAUGURATE→
16A
“Outta my way!” (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMOVE→
17A
ABC's realm (10)
Starts with N, ends with VNATIONALTV→
18A
Body part affected by heterochromia (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIRIS→
20A
___ Mai, Grammy-winning R&B singer (4)
Starts with E, ends with AELLA→
24A
Mars rover named in honor of a 19th-century activist (9)
Starts with S, ends with RSOJOURNER→
26A
Ludwig ___, post-W.W. II leader who led West Germany's economic recovery (6)
Starts with E, ends with DERHARD→
28A
Cooking term whose name is composed of two synonyms for "criticize" (8)
Starts with P, ends with TPANROAST→
29A
Agcy. tracking popular baby names (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASSA→
30A
Agcy. concerned with declarations (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIRS→
32A
Parts of some high-speed rail systems (7)
Starts with M, ends with SMAGNETS→
33A
Be exceptionally good, in modern slang (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSLAP→
34A
Vaper's purchase (4)
Starts with E, ends with GECIG→
35A
What Esau got in exchange for selling his birthright to Jacob (7)
Starts with P, ends with EPOTTAGE→
38A
Disclaimer in a quote (3)
Starts with S, ends with CSIC→
39A
"Hang" (3)
Starts with V, ends with GVEG→
42A
Detaches from the frame, perhaps (8)
Starts with U, ends with SUNHINGES→
44A
Grammatical case in 48-Across (6)
Starts with D, ends with EDATIVE→
46A
Longtime Pixar character who saiys "I might be old, but I still got a spring in my step!" (9)
Starts with S, ends with GSLINKYDOG→
48A
See 44-Across (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLATIN→
49A
Super, slangily (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHECKA→
50A
Curve on a score (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSLUR→
52A
Follower of hand or home (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMADE→
53A
Bit of filming (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETAKE→
54A
Asteroids and Space Invaders (10)
Starts with A, ends with SATARIGAMES→
56A
In the past (4)
Starts with O, ends with ROVER→
57A
System by which all speech is protected? (10)
Starts with S, ends with ESECURELINE→
58A
Cravings (4)
Starts with Y, ends with SYENS→
59A
Club runners (10)
Starts with P, ends with SPRESIDENTS→
Down
1D
Change sounds (7)
Starts with J, ends with SJINGLES→
2D
Captivates (7)
Starts with E, ends with SENAMORS→
3D
Actress Lyonne (7)
Starts with N, ends with ANATASHA→
4D
Neighbor of Sierra Leone (6)
Starts with G, ends with AGUINEA→
5D
In the past (3)
Starts with A, ends with OAGO→
6D
Use a fork for, in a way (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETUNE→
7D
Some thesis defenses (5)
Starts with O, ends with SORALS→
8D
Trounce (6)
Starts with W, ends with PWALLOP→
9D
Singer dubbed the "Matriarch of the Blues" (9)
Starts with E, ends with SETTAJAMES→
10D
Gun before the green, say (3)
Starts with R, ends with VREV→
11D
"Is it not?" (8)
Starts with A, ends with GAMIWRONG→
12D
Stellar visual effects (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECORONAE→
13D
Adjective that becomes its own synonym after its first letter is dropped (7)
Starts with E, ends with TEVILEST→
14D
Strands (7)
Starts with D, ends with SDESERTS→
21D
Precise and calculated (8)
Starts with S, ends with LSURGICAL→
23D
First country to elect a female prime minister (1960) (8)
Starts with S, ends with ASRILANKA→
25D
Tripping (6)
Starts with O, ends with DONACID→
27D
Sluggish (6)
Starts with D, ends with YDRAGGY→
31D
One putting the pedal to the metal (9)
Starts with S, ends with RSPEEDSTER→
33D
No-goodniks (8)
Starts with S, ends with SSTINKERS→
35D
Toddler's walking aid (7)
Starts with P, ends with YPUSHTOY→
36D
Like someone using autoreply, perhaps (7)
Starts with O, ends with EONLEAVE→
37D
Start to congeal (7)
Starts with T, ends with NTHICKEN→
39D
Part of some gummies (7)
Starts with V, ends with NVITAMIN→
41D
Births (7)
Starts with G, ends with SGENESES→
43D
Comfort (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESOLACE→
45D
Mesoamerican staple with a "hot" variety (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETAMALE→
47D
Mentors (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGURUS→
51D
"Rude Boy" singer, to fans (4)
Starts with R, ends with IRIRI→
54D
Ancient symbol of royalty (3)
Starts with A, ends with PASP→
55D
Test not offered in high school, for short (3)
Starts with G, ends with DGED→
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 4, 2026?+
66 clues: 34 Across and 32 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Julian Xiao and edited by Will Shortz.
What are some answers in today’s NYT Crossword?+
For example: Result of a tense build-up? (JENGATOWER); Hit a point of no return? (ACED); Kick off (INAUGURATE).
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.
