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 16, 2026 covers every clue in order.
16 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 16, 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 | Important info to have while you’re waiting in a cellphone lot, for short | ETA |
| 4A | Fall or fell | TOPPLE |
| 10A | Cause of a sudden change in interest, informally? | REFI |
| 14A | Close | SHUT |
| 15A | Pho soup garnishes | SPROUTS |
| 16A | Conduit of neural signals | AXON |
| 17A | Early models | PROTOTYPES |
| 19A | Relative of a gull | TERN |
| 20A | “Ain’t gonna happen” | NOPE |
| 21A | Big bang cause | TNT |
| 22A | Chilling | ON ICE |
| 24A | The remotest of remote jobs? | ASTRONAUT |
| 27A | Kid | YOUTH |
| 28A | Supermodel Banks | TYRA |
| 29A | Break into loud cheers, as a crowd | ERUPT |
| 31A | Answer to “Who’s ready to go?” | I AM |
| 33A | Broadcast | AIR |
| 35A | Uno + due | TRE |
| 36A | Mononymous Irish singer | BONO |
| 37A | Animated film that was the highest-grossing movie of 1992 | ALADDIN |
| 41A | “Impossible!” | NO CAN DO |
| 43A | Hibernation spots | DENS |
| 44A | Dip target, maybe | PEC |
| 46A | Things entered in a sudoku grid: Abbr. | NOS |
| 47A | Messy dorm room, figuratively | STY |
| 48A | Fruits often seen in still lifes | PEARS |
| 50A | Take back, for short | REPO |
| 53A | City haze | SMOG |
| 55A | Canine guard? | RETAINER |
| 57A | Dishwasher cycle | RINSE |
| 59A | “A form of madness,” it’s said | WAR |
| 60A | Actress Pinkett Smith of “Girls Trip” | JADA |
| 62A | Singer/songwriter Mitchell | JONI |
| 63A | Fruits named after a mythical drink | NECTARINES |
| 66A | Noted cartoon dog | PLUTO |
| 67A | Its first video, “Me at the zoo,” has over 400 million views | YOUTUBE |
| 68A | State whose outline can be made by connecting seven particular squares in this puzzle | UTAH |
| 69A | Valley | GLEN |
| 70A | Give a once-over | ASSESS |
| 71A | Crafty | SLY |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for September 16, 2026
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Channel with “2” and “U” spinoffs | ESPN |
| 2D | Pharynx setting | THROAT |
| 3D | Post-mortem | AUTOPSY |
| 4D | General on a Chinese menu | TSO |
| 5D | Decide one will | OPT TO |
| 6D | Hester of “The Scarlet Letter” | PRYNNE |
| 7D | Grab-and-go breakfast option | POP-TART |
| 8D | Guitar relative | LUTE |
| 9D | Gas brand seen in Edward Hopper’s “Portrait of Orleans” | ESSO |
| 10D | Betting odds, e.g. | RATIO |
| 11D | Concern for a gymnastics judge | EXECUTION |
| 12D | Certain pickleball shot | FOREHAND |
| 13D | Greenwich Village’s Stonewall, e.g. | INN |
| 18D | Groups of four | TETRADS |
| 23D | Paper competing with the W.S.J. | NYT |
| 25D | Debugger? | RAID |
| 26D | Remedy for a missed exit | U-TURN |
| 30D | Lowly worker | PEON |
| 32D | Farm sound | MOO |
| 34D | Ready to eat | RIPE |
| 36D | Small hound that doesn’t bark | BASENJI |
| 37D | What a premium subscription may help you avoid | ADS |
| 38D | “Time to go!” | LET’S ROLL |
| 39D | Very soon | ANY MINUTE |
| 40D | By | NEAR |
| 42D | What “Coco” is a nickname for, for tennis’s Coco Gauff | CORI |
| 45D | Military hairstyles | CREW CUTS |
| 48D | Family-friendly movie ratings | PGs |
| 49D | The Sphinx, for one | STATUE |
| 51D | Classic comic strip that’s the source for nine Emmys and two Tonys | PEANUTS |
| 52D | Folding a fitted sheet, it may seem | ORDEAL |
| 54D | Edible bulb | ONION |
| 56D | Many Moroccans | ARABS |
| 58D | Mononymous Irish singer | ENYA |
| 61D | Grayish | ASHY |
| 62D | Profile pic format, in brief | JPG |
| 64D | Dawn deity | EOS |
| 65D | In medias ___ | RES |
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 16, 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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