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 21, 2026 covers every clue in order.
21 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 21, 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 | Where Mongolia is | ASIA |
| 5A | Scaredy-cat | WIMP |
| 9A | Leafs (through) | PAGES |
| 14A | Album for which Kendrick Lamar won a Pulitzer Prize | DAMN |
| 15A | Berry at a smoothie shop | ACAI |
| 16A | Company behind the game Pong | ATARI |
| 17A | Mentally pooped | TOO TIRED TO THINK |
| 20A | 1960s service site, informally | NAM |
| 21A | Common injury site for a basketball player, informally | ACL |
| 22A | Thick, as plant growth | LUSH |
| 23A | Deliberately give instruction in a way that targets an exam | TEACH TO THE TEST |
| 28A | Commercial that may come with a jingle | RADIO AD |
| 29A | Took a chair | SAT |
| 30A | Eager | AVID |
| 31A | Hair parter | COMB |
| 34A | Continue a subscription | RENEW |
| 38A | Barely passing grade | DEE |
| 39A | Decade of W.W. II … or a homophonic hint to 17-, 23-, 50- and 57-Across | FORTIES |
| 41A | Around 18, typically, for a high school graduate | AGE |
| 42A | Sometimes-floral organic compound | ESTER |
| 44A | Draped Indian garment | SARI |
| 45A | ___-X (computer command to cut text) | CTRL |
| 46A | Crosses (out) | XES |
| 48A | Conjures up, say | CREATES |
| 50A | “If I’m being honest …” | TO TELL THE TRUTH |
| 54A | Cook, in a way, as ahi tuna | SEAR |
| 55A | Opposite of ‘neath | OER |
| 56A | Fools’ mo. | APR |
| 57A | “A fight requires more than one person” | TAKES TWO TO TANGO |
| 63A | “I’m available to help” | USE ME |
| 64A | Modern note-taking aid | IPAD |
| 65A | Plant in a marsh | REED |
| 66A | Spanish babies | NENES |
| 67A | What a paper airplane icon may indicate | SEND |
| 68A | Thing in a grove | TREE |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for September 21, 2026
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Big letters in home security | ADT |
| 2D | ___ Paulo, Brazil | SAO |
| 3D | Comment that might follow “None for me, thanks” | I’M ON A DIET |
| 4D | Relief for an upset stomach | ANTACID |
| 5D | Simple two-player card game | WAR |
| 6D | Drink cooler | ICE |
| 7D | Angry with | MAD AT |
| 8D | Throw from a mound | PITCH |
| 9D | Butter square | PAT |
| 10D | Any Olympian | ATHLETE |
| 11D | First name of Julius Caesar | GAIUS |
| 12D | Artist Max | ERNST |
| 13D | Worshiper in a turban | SIKH |
| 18D | Texter’s qualifier | IMHO |
| 19D | Cries in a fútbol stadium | OLES |
| 23D | Barter | TRADE |
| 24D | Roof overhangs | EAVES |
| 25D | It may have a hard or soft shell | TACO |
| 26D | Things indicated by squiggly lines in cartoons | ODORS |
| 27D | Paves the way? | TARS |
| 32D | N.Y.C. subway letters | MTA |
| 33D | Hardwood whose bark is sometimes used as paper | BIRCH |
| 35D | Leader of an 1831 revolt against slavery | NAT TURNER |
| 36D | Spearfishing bird | EGRET |
| 37D | People of SW Britain | WELSH |
| 39D | Without charge | FREE |
| 40D | The Emerald Isle | EIRE |
| 43D | Like skydiving or cliff-diving | EXTREME |
| 45D | Dashboard or bumper | CAR PART |
| 47D | Place to put a coin | SLOT |
| 49D | Coup d’___ | ETAT |
| 50D | Joke with | TEASE |
| 51D | Like some wine barrels | OAKEN |
| 52D | ___ and Clark | LEWIS |
| 53D | Familiar narrative device | TROPE |
| 54D | Leave dumbfounded | STUN |
| 58D | French possessive | SES |
| 59D | Catch some rays | TAN |
| 60D | Bizarre | ODD |
| 61D | “Golly!” | GEE |
| 62D | Poetic tribute | ODE |
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 21, 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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