How to get a hint for any clue
- Type the clue as it appears in your puzzle.
- Count the squares and choose the answer length.
- Fill in any letters you already have from crossing answers, and leave the rest empty.
- Look at the best matches first. Tap one to read its meaning and check it fits the clue.
It’s a hint, not a spoiler: you see possible words for the one clue you’re stuck on, and the rest of the puzzle stays yours to solve.
How the NYT Crossword gets harder through the week
The New York Times Crossword gets harder from Monday to Saturday. Monday clues are straightforward definitions; by Friday and Saturday, clues lean on wordplay and less common meanings. Sunday’s larger grid is usually about as hard as a midweek puzzle. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as several letters squeezed into one square.
Crossword tips
- Start with fill-in-the-blank clues: they’re usually the easiest way in.
- A question mark at the end of a clue means wordplay, so don’t take it literally.
- The clue and answer agree in tense and number: a plural clue has a plural answer.
- An abbreviation in the clue usually means an abbreviated answer.
- Long answers across the middle are often the theme; solving one can unlock the others.
- Not sure what a word means? Look it up in the Online Dictionary.
Hints for today’s other puzzles
This page doesn’t publish any puzzle’s answers: it helps you find words from your own clue and letters. The New York Times Crossword is a trademark of The New York Times; this site is independent and not affiliated with it.
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t you list today’s crossword answers?
The daily NYT Crossword is a subscriber puzzle, so we don’t publish its answers. The clue solver gives you a hint for any clue you’re stuck on instead.
Does it work for the Mini and other crosswords?
Yes. It works with any crossword. For the Mini, see our Mini crossword hints.
Why isn’t the answer at the top of the list?
Clue matching uses dictionary definitions, so wordplay and names may not rank first. Add crossing letters to narrow the list; the answer will be among the words that fit.