NYT Crossword Answers Today: August 21, 2026

Searching for the NYT Crossword answers today? If today’s New York Times Crossword has a few clues standing in the way, this guide has everything needed to finish the puzzle.

Below, you’ll find a spoiler-light overview, followed by hints for every Across and Down clue before revealing the complete answers. Whether only one square is missing or the entire grid needs solving, today’s guide for August 21, 2026 covers every clue in order.

21 August 2026 – NYT Crossword overview

Today’s crossword offers a balanced challenge with a clever central theme that gradually becomes apparent as more of the grid is completed. Several clues rely on wordplay and misdirection, while a handful of modern abbreviations and pop culture references may slow down even experienced solvers.

The puzzle is approachable for regular crossword players but still contains enough tricky clues to make the final solve satisfying. Looking for hints first? Start with the sections below before scrolling to the complete answers.

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NYT Crossword Across hints and answers for August 21, 2026

Start with the hint if you’d like to keep solving on your own. The answer is listed directly underneath.

No.	Clue	Hint	Answer
1	Leader in a robe called a kasaya	Buddhist religious leader	LAMA
5	Some malty offerings	Beer varieties	AMBER ALES
14	Jejune	Childish or immature	ARID
15	Coupling rings?	Playful romantic phrase	BOOTY CALLS
17	Come (together)	Join	BAND
18	One sharing gold	Co-winner	COCHAMPION
19	Remy’s brother in “Ratatouille”	Pixar character	EMILE
21	High tea treat	Baked snack	SCONE
22	Mathematician Terence, winner of the 2006 Fields Medal	Famous mathematician	TAO
23	___ Ball, 2021 N.B.A. Rookie of the Year	Basketball star	LAMELO
25	Key for getting out	Keyboard escape key	ESC
26	Gave temporarily	Lent	LENT
27	One-named pop star with Monkey Puzzle Records	Singer	SIA
28	___ tov (Jewish festival)	Holiday greeting	YOM
30	Advantageous	Useful	OF USE
32	Losing control emotionally, in slang	Melting down	CRASHING OUT
36	Drama club enthusiast	Theater fan	THEATER GEEK
38	Italian hero?	Sandwich	MEATBALL SUB
40	Bold	Daring	BRASH
42	Étendue bleue	French “blue expanse”	MER
43	Hindi for “reign”	Hindi word	RAJ
45	Focus of a concussion protocol	Body part	HEAD
46	N.L. East team, on scoreboards	Philadelphia team abbreviation	PHI
49	Especially ornate	Decorative	ROCOCO
51	Mass. summer setting	Massachusetts abbreviation	EDT
52	Jack up	Raise	HOIST
54	School units	Classroom groups	DESKS
55	In place?	Current location	WHERE IT’S AT
58	Stuff in shakers	Seasoning	SALT
59	“Aww!”	Cute reaction	SO DARN CUTE
60	Target of a search party	Missing person	AWOL
61	Is canned	Gets fired	GETS THE AX
62	Word repeated before “against the dying of the light” in a Dylan Thomas poem	Famous poetic phrase	RAGE

NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for August 21, 2026

No.	Clue	Hint	Answer
1	Names	Labels	LABELS
2	Language spoken by Jesus	Biblical-era language	ARAMAIC
3	Place for a quick stop	Racing stop	PIT STOP
4	Puzzle	Brain teaser	ENIGMA
5	La ti do, musically	Musical syllables	SOLFEGE
6	Bovine sounds	Cow noises	MOOS
7	Sport similar to pétanque	French ball sport	BOCCE
8	Character	Role	PERSONA
9	“Sinners” director, 2025	Filmmaker Ryan	COOGler
10	Apogee	Highest point	ACME
11	Where a serviette is laid	Dining surface	TABLE
12	Haut monde	High society	ELITE
13	___ Crosley, author of 2008’s “I Was Told There’d Be Cake”	Writer Sloane	SLOANE
16	Impudent sort	Cheeky person	SASS
20	Paris’s Champs-___	Famous avenue	ELYSEES
24	Grand Canyon lookout whose name suggests visitors’ reactions	Scenic overlook	OOH AAH POINT
26	Some baroque instruments	Wind instruments	OBOES
29	Diamond wear	Baseball footwear	CLEATS
31	Metal tube in a nuclear reactor	Reactor component	FUEL ROD
33	Jazz musician Jamal	Legendary pianist	AHMAD
34	Neighbor of Colo.	Southwestern state	UTAH
35	Mass unit	Weight measure	TON
37	First filmmaker to receive the Order of Culture in Japan	Japanese director	KUROSAWA
39	Unprocessed inventory	Raw goods	RAW STOCK
40	One might leave you unprotected at night	Open entrance	DOOR
41	What kid-friendly games typically are	Suitable for children	TAME
44	What big crowds do	Move as one	SWARM
45	Fells	Cuts down	AXES
47	Hang-up	Problem	HITCH
48	Something raised in a meeting	Proposal	MOTION
50	Julio ___ Chávez (boxing legend)	Mexican boxing champion	CÉSAR
52	Possessive pronoun	Belonging to him	HIS
53	“Cheerio”	Goodbye	TA-TA
56	Snitch	Informer	RAT
57	Neighbor of Ark.	Nearby state	OKLA.

Tips for solving the NYT Crossword

Even if today’s crossword proved difficult, a few strategies can make future puzzles much easier.

• Fill in the shortest clues first to build crossing letters.
• Skip clues that seem impossible and return later with more letters in place.
• Watch for question marks, as they often signal puns or wordplay.
• Look for common crossword abbreviations, initials, and shortened forms.
• Don’t ignore theme clues, as they often unlock multiple answers throughout the puzzle.
• Use crossing answers to verify uncertain guesses instead of forcing words that don’t fit.

Consistently solving a few puzzles each week also helps build familiarity with recurring clue styles commonly used in the NYT Crossword.

Final thoughts

The NYT Crossword for August 03, 2026 delivers another enjoyable daily challenge with a satisfying mix of straightforward clues, clever wordplay, and a memorable theme. Whether only a couple of answers were needed or the complete solution was required, hopefully this guide helped finish today’s puzzle.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another complete set of NYT Crossword hints and answers, including spoiler-free clues followed by the full solution.