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 September 13, 2026 covers every clue in order.
13 September 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 September 13, 2026
Start with the hint if you’d like to keep solving on your own. The answer is listed directly underneath.
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Less injurious | SAFER |
| 6A | Showed some real malice toward | SPAT AT |
| 12A | Mideast currency | DINAR |
| 17A | Landscaper’s timesaver | SOD |
| 20A | “Well, how about that?!” | I’LL BE |
| 21A | Practice taught in a dojo | KARATE |
| 22A | Combined | IN ONE |
| 23A | Computer’s “brain,” in brief | CPU |
| 24A | Certain group of orchestral winds | FLUTE SECTION |
| 26A | Large insect named from Greek myth | ATLAS MOTH |
| 28A | Yank | TUG |
| 29A | Hook for a newspaper article | LEDE |
| 30A | Forerunners of CDs | LPs |
| 31A | New start? | NEO |
| 32A | Nautical lever | OAR |
| 33A | “De dónde ____ tú?” | ERES |
| 35A | Rope in | LASSO |
| 37A | Mechanic’s offering | CAR SERVICE |
| 41A | Told, as a story | RELATED |
| 43A | Special offer | PROMO |
| 46A | Turn from solid to liquid | MELT |
| 47A | Diamond, e.g. | GEM |
| 48A | Santa Fe automaker | HYUNDAI |
| 50A | Two of them make up a diameter | RADII |
| 52A | Chilling | AT EASE |
| 54A | Frat ____ | BRO |
| 56A | Sharp nail | TALON |
| 57A | Group project on a winter’s day, perhaps | GIANT SNOWMAN |
| 59A | What snobby people put on | AIRS |
| 61A | ____ Simmons, founding member of Kiss | GENE |
| 62A | Missouri airport code | STL |
| 63A | Highly anomalous | WEIRD |
| 64A | Distraction-limiting lifestyle trend | MONK MODE |
| 66A | [24-Across] | STEM |
| 70A | Rake in | EARN |
| 72A | Enthusiastic response to “Who’s ready?” | I AM |
| 73A | [37-Across] | TAXI |
| 74A | Celebration between Xmas and M.L.K. Day | NYE |
| 75A | Classic Dalmatian name | SPOT |
| 79A | “Am I invisible or what?!” | NOTICE ME |
| 84A | [41-Across] | AKIN |
| 85A | Airport screening org. | TSA |
| 86A | Another name for Vishnu, translating to “the remover” | HARI |
| 87A | Broadway’s “Dear ____ Hansen” | EVAN |
| 88A | Mellow, in a way | ZEN |
| 89A | [57-Across] | YETI |
| 90A | Prompts to play, while conducting | CUES IN |
| 92A | Largest zodiac constellation | VIRGO |
| 94A | Privacy doc | NDA |
| 96A | Material in reusable diapers | CLOTH |
| 99A | Rihanna song with the lyric “Please, someone help me” | SOS |
| 100A | Tonsil doc | ENT |
| 101A | Baby fox | KIT |
| 103A | Pioneering premium channel | HBO |
| 106A | Pole, e.g. | SLAV |
| 107A | Advantageous | UTILE |
| 109A | Qualm | RESERVATION |
| 112A | Plot feature of “Planet of the Apes” | TIME TRAVEL |
| 114A | Casals who popularized Bach’s cello suites | PABLO |
| 115A | Suitable | APPROPRIATE |
| 117A | Source of the word “tuk-tuk” used for a motorized rickshaw | THAI |
| 120A | Crumb carriers | ANTS |
| 122A | “What ____ we doing?” | ARE |
| 123A | Took a load off | SAT |
| 124A | Cousins of cobras | ASPS |
| 127A | “Good job!” | WAY TO GO |
| 129A | Absorbent | POROUS |
| 132A | Cell network letters | LTE |
| 134A | Co-Stooge of Larry | MOE |
| 135A | Reply to “Nuh-uh!” | IS TOO |
| 136A | 1990s exercise fad | TAE BO |
| 138A | Descended with rappelling ropes | SCALED DOWN |
| 141A | Step forcefully | STOMP |
| 142A | Alternative to a username when logging in | |
| 143A | 1,000,000,000 years | EON |
| 144A | Stank | REEKED |
| 145A | Builds muscle | TONES |
| 146A | Period of letting loose | SPREE |
| 147A | Abbr. after some business names | LTD |
| 148A | Looks of contempt | SNEERS |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for September 13, 2026
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Flour de-clumper | SIFTER |
| 2D | Intriguing appeal | ALLURE |
| 3D | Cornet lookalike | FLUGELHORN |
| 4D | Food assistance syst. | EBT |
| 5D | Easily recite, with “off” | REEL |
| 6D | Scampered away | SKEDADDLED |
| 7D | Walks nervously, in a way | PACES |
| 8D | Jazz drummer Blakey | ART |
| 9D | Customize (to) | TAILOR |
| 10D | Over | ATOP |
| 11D | Stunners, so to speak | TENS |
| 12D | William and Harry’s mum | DIANA |
| 13D | Occasional | INTERMITTENT |
| 14D | Like choices that can’t turn out that badly | NO-LOSE |
| 15D | Japan’s largest carrier | ANA |
| 16D | Locale with many seasonal businesses | RESORT TOWN |
| 17D | Previously unseen sporting result (term coined in 2014) | SCORIGAMI |
| 18D | Pick, with “for” | OPT |
| 19D | “That’s obvious!” | DUH |
| 25D | Mabel Mora’s portrayer on “Only Murders in the Building” | SELENA GOMEZ |
| 27D | Dallas baller | MAV |
| 34D | Use your words? | SAY |
| 36D | Central support | SPINE |
| 37D | Concluding passage, in music | CODA |
| 38D | Enthusiasm | ELAN |
| 39D | French film award | CESAR |
| 40D | Reword, perhaps | EMEND |
| 42D | Child king of Egypt | TUT |
| 44D | URL ender for many nonprofits | ORG |
| 45D | ____ tai | MAI |
| 49D | Primo | A ONE |
| 51D | Hookups | INS |
| 53D | Isle of ____ | EWE |
| 54D | Sound of impact | BAM |
| 55D | Home of the Christ the Redeemer statue | RIO |
| 58D | Brings the house down, like a comic | SLAYS |
| 60D | Moving between the poles? | SKIING |
| 65D | Computer covered by AppleCare | MAC |
| 66D | [109-Across] | STAY |
| 67D | [115-Across] | TAKE |
| 68D | [127-Across] | EXIT |
| 69D | [138-Across] | MINI |
| 71D | What acids do when mixed with bases | REACT |
| 75D | ____-wolf | SHE |
| 76D | Secondhand lung irritant | PASSIVE SMOKE |
| 77D | Bird whose name comes from the Latin for “golden” | ORIOLE |
| 78D | Glittery holiday strands | TINSEL |
| 79D | Not even once | NEVER |
| 80D | Sheeplike | OVINE |
| 81D | Pastries that can be very sweet, ironically | TARTS |
| 82D | Tucked-away observations | MENTAL NOTES |
| 83D | Conclude | END |
| 91D | Shipmate of Spock | UHURA |
| 93D | Pods in bhindi masala | OKRA |
| 95D | Yellowfin tuna | AHI |
| 96D | Advertising award | CLIO |
| 97D | Home décor options | LAMPS |
| 98D | As a whole | OVERALL |
| 102D | Hookup during infusion therapy, in brief | IV BAG |
| 104D | Mardi Gras accessory | BOA |
| 105D | Released with conditions | ON PAROLE |
| 106D | Topping for an apple crisp | STREUSEL |
| 108D | “Toodles!” | TA TA |
| 110D | Embodiment | EPITOME |
| 111D | Young ‘un | TOT |
| 113D | Snickers | TITTERS |
| 116D | Expert | PRO |
| 117D | Soft-serve request | TWIST |
| 118D | Must | HASTO |
| 119D | Deandre ____, N.B.A. center | AYTON |
| 121D | Weapon used by some chimpanzees | SPEAR |
| 125D | Lead-in to grid or play | POWER |
| 126D | Puts in the mail | SENDS |
| 128D | “My bad!” | OOPS |
| 130D | Off Broadway award | OBIE |
| 131D | ____-free | SCOT |
| 133D | Heaven on earth | EDEN |
| 137D | Boomer at a concert | AMP |
| 139D | It’s sometimes shortened to the letter “N” | AND |
| 140D | Dennis’s sister on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” | DEE |
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 September 13, 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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