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 14, 2026 covers every clue in order.
14 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 14, 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 | Cherokee or Wrangler | JEEP |
| 5A | Omelet ingredients | EGGS |
| 9A | Big noisy fight | MELEE |
| 14A | Cornfield measure | ACRE |
| 15A | Little flying pest | GNAT |
| 16A | Dale who sang “Happy Trails” with Roy Rogers | EVANS |
| 17A | Crew building | BOATHOUSE |
| 19A | Assigns stars to, as on Yelp | RATES |
| 20A | “Spare” things at a barbecue | RIBS |
| 21A | Stately tree | ELM |
| 23A | Before, in poetry | ERE |
| 24A | Atlantic City attraction | CASINO |
| 27A | “Is it bigger than a ___?” | BREADBOX |
| 29A | 911 respondent, in brief | EMT |
| 30A | Latina toon explorer | DORA |
| 32A | Beatles song with the lyric “She promises the earth to me” | GIRL |
| 33A | Pinocchio’s are easily exposed | LIES |
| 35A | “Absolutely, amigo!” | SI SI |
| 37A | The White Stripes and the Black Keys, for two | DUOS |
| 39A | Close boxing match outcome | SPLIT DECISION |
| 42A | Picket line crosser | SCAB |
| 43A | Silverstein who wrote and illustrated “The Giving Tree” | SHEL |
| 44A | Contacted on Instagram, informally | DMED |
| 46A | Bills typically found in a tip jar | ONES |
| 48A | Mallorca or Menorca, por ejemplo | ISLA |
| 50A | Place for a piercing or a plug | EAR |
| 51A | All-out boxing match | SLUGFEST |
| 54A | Sarcastic | SNARKY |
| 56A | “Hamilton” composer ___-Manuel Miranda | LIN |
| 57A | Singer/actress Rita ___ | ORA |
| 58A | It’s “smashed” in a particle accelerator | ATOM |
| 59A | Playful aquatic mammal | OTTER |
| 61A | Flip out … or a hint to the beginnings of 17-, 27-, 39- and 51-Across | GO BANANAS |
| 66A | Word said while pointing | THERE |
| 67A | “Never Have I ___” (sleepover game) | EVER |
| 68A | Coldest possible temperature on the Kelvin scale | ZERO |
| 69A | Informal hoops game | HORSE |
| 70A | Winter road application | SALT |
| 71A | Rams’ mates | EWES |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for September 14, 2026
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Quick boxing punch | JAB |
| 2D | Prefix with friendly or warrior | ECO |
| 3D | Slice of history | ERA |
| 4D | ___ dish (lab item) | PETRI |
| 5D | Self-esteem builder | EGO BOOST |
| 6D | African antelopes | GNUS |
| 7D | Something an electric car doesn’t use | GAS |
| 8D | Have the reins | STEER |
| 9D | Disney’s Ariel and her sisters | MERMAIDS |
| 10D | Youngest of the Gabor sisters | EVA |
| 11D | One slow to develop | LATE BLOOMER |
| 12D | Beginning of el año | ENERO |
| 13D | English county NE of London | ESSEX |
| 18D | Female red deer | HIND |
| 22D | “Break a ___!” | LEG |
| 24D | “The Simpsons” collectible | CEL |
| 25D | Out of place | AMISS |
| 26D | Pedometer | STEP COUNTER |
| 27D | Single, double or triple | BASE HIT |
| 28D | Ancient Celtic priest | DRUID |
| 31D | Clears (of) | RIDS |
| 34D | Word hidden, aptly, in “teen’s language” | SLANG |
| 36D | Completes, as a cake | ICES |
| 38D | Move stealthily | SNEAK |
| 40D | Lead-in to “except after C” | I BEFORE E |
| 41D | “Let me go first” | I’LL START |
| 45D | Like some humor and wine | DRY |
| 47D | To be, in Barcelona | SER |
| 49D | Soon, in poems | ANON |
| 51D | Animal that sleeps upside down | SLOTH |
| 52D | Certain art print, informally | LITHO |
| 53D | Wise sorts | SAGES |
| 55D | Astound | AMAZE |
| 58D | Brother of Cain | ABEL |
| 60D | TV medical drama settings, in brief | ERS |
| 62D | Things traveling through fallopian tubes | OVA |
| 63D | Previously unseen | NEW |
| 64D | “Rules ___ rules” | ARE |
| 65D | Abba title sung after the line “The love you gave me, nothing else can save me” | SOS |
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 14, 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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