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 26, 2026 covers every clue in order.
26 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.
NYT Crossword Across hints and answers for August 26, 2026
Start with the hint if you’d like to keep solving on your own. The answer is listed directly underneath.
| No. | Hint / Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Modern lead-in to quit or bait | RAGE |
| 5A | Heat source for many hydrothermal vents | MAGMA |
| 10A | Act all teenagerly, say | MOPE |
| 14A | “[I have something to say …]” | AHEM |
| 15A | He has the weight of the world on his shoulders | ATLAS |
| 16A | River by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre | AVON |
| 17A | Enhancing “blemish” (3x) | BEAUTY MARK |
| 19A | Rip apart | REND |
| 20A | Something to belly up to | BAR |
| 21A | Tennis’s “King of Clay,” familiarly | RAFA |
| 22A | Cautious | WARY |
| 23A | “My guess is …” | I’D SAY |
| 25A | Teach, playfully (3x) | EDUMACATE |
| 29A | Pinocchio’s tell | NOSE |
| 31A | South American capital where Simón Bolívar was born | CARACAS |
| 32A | ___ Wowie (cocktail with a rhyming name) | MAUI |
| 33A | PC key | ALT |
| 34A | Wait for it! | TIP |
| 35A | Sweet popcorn coating (4x) | SALTED CARAMEL |
| 39A | Sci-fi pilot ___ Solo | HAN |
| 40A | Call, as a poker bet | SEE |
| 41A | Roman author of “Metamorphoses” | OVID |
| 42A | Fred Flintstone’s boss at the rock quarry | MR. SLATE |
| 45A | Tech review site | CNET |
| 46A | Nut in Sausalito cookies (3x) | MACADAMIA |
| 48A | Bundles in a stationery shop | REAMS |
| 52A | Pointed remarks | JABS |
| 53A | “Famous” cookie entrepreneur | AMOS |
| 55A | Church fixture | PEW |
| 56A | Black mark on a credit report, in brief | REPO |
| 57A | “Unbelievable!” … or what 17-, 25-, 35- and 46-Across are made from, letter-wise? | SOME PEOPLE |
| 60A | Never Have I ___ (party game) | EVER |
| 61A | April’s ___ Day | FOOL |
| 62A | Bug on a pug | FLEA |
| 63A | Alien incubators in “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” | PODS |
| 64A | Acrimonious, as a breakup | MESSY |
| 65A | Units of verse | FEET |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for August 26, 2026
| No. | Hint / Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Torah scholar | RABBI |
| 2D | Bridge Out ___ (sign) | AHEAD |
| 3D | They have teeth but don’t bite | GEARS |
| 4D | Ground-dwelling bird in a eucalyptus forest | EMU |
| 5D | Chichén Itzá builders | MAYA |
| 6D | Taking charge? | ATM FEE |
| 7D | Happy-sounding advocacy grp. | GLAAD |
| 8D | Scuff up, say | MAR |
| 9D | Set, as a price | ASK |
| 10D | Instrument associated with beans and salsa? | MARACA |
| 11D | Was a ham | OVERACTED |
| 12D | Scrunchied hairstyle | PONYTAIL |
| 13D | “The ___” (final track listed on the original “Abbey Road”) | END |
| 18D | Audition | TRYOUT |
| 22D | Word that can precede cry or baby | WAR |
| 24D | Picky, picky, picky | ANAL |
| 26D | Sch. attended by Steve Martin, James Dean and Jack Black | UCLA |
| 27D | Housemother | MATRON |
| 28D | What cards with circles, stars, pluses, squares and wavy lines test for, in brief | ESP |
| 30D | Day break? | SIESTA |
| 32D | Got it all off his chest? | MANSCAPED |
| 33D | Disc golf “hole”-in-one | ACE |
| 35D | Capital city known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” | SARAJEVO |
| 36D | Consider | DEEM |
| 37D | Disinclined | AVERSE |
| 38D | Small bug with a strong-sounding name | MITE |
| 39D | “Well, let me think” | HMM |
| 43D | Herculean tasks | LABORS |
| 44D | Almost a quarter of the Super Bowl’s run time | ADS |
| 45D | Sometimes-uncredited appearances | CAMEOS |
| 47D | da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, for example | IAMBS |
| 49D | Gift from a teacher’s pet | APPLE |
| 50D | Free-for-all | MELEE |
| 51D | Result of a hot pursuit? | SWEAT |
| 54D | Grand Ole ___ | OPRY |
| 56D | One leg press, say | REP |
| 57D | Uncle ___ | SAM |
| 58D | Minecraft resource | ORE |
| 59D | Command to a jumpy dog | SIT |
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 26, 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.
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