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 23, 2026 covers every clue in order.
23 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 23, 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 | Meh | BLAH |
| 5A | Labors like the Seven Dwarfs | MINES |
| 10A | Looped in via email | CCED |
| 14A | Covid-19, colloquially | RONA |
| 15A | Brand acquired by Hasbro in 1998 | ATARI |
| 16A | Mauna Loa output | LAVA |
| 17A | Car with a logo similar to the Olympic rings | AUDI |
| 18A | Start of a counting rhyme | EENIE |
| 19A | Slightly | A TAD |
| 20A | Honorable conduct on the field | SPORTSMANSHIP |
| 23A | Recluses | HERMITS |
| 24A | On-schedule | TIMELY |
| 27A | Musician’s gift | EAR |
| 28A | Super Mario character with a mushroom for a head | TOAD |
| 30A | Fish eggs | ROE |
| 31A | Kid around | JEST |
| 34A | When hunting restrictions are lifted | OPEN SEASON |
| 37A | Epic poem originally passed down orally | ILIAD |
| 39A | CPR expert | EMT |
| 40A | Pretense | FRONT |
| 41A | Carnival diversion requiring precision | BALLOON POP |
| 44A | One-named singer who lives in an Irish castle | ENYA |
| 45A | Bikini season, in Bordeaux | ETE |
| 46A | “Hmm … I pass” | UH NO |
| 47A | Word before data or deal | RAW |
| 49A | Peak in the Alaska Range | DENALI |
| 51A | Slender e-cig | VAPE PEN |
| 55A | “You’re free to criticize it” … or a comment one might make about 20-, 34- and 41-Across? | THAT’S FAIR GAME |
| 58A | Genderqueer identity, informally | ENBY |
| 60A | Windowside perches | SILLS |
| 61A | “Back in my day …” | ONCE |
| 62A | Instrument also called the “sprightly companion” | OBOE |
| 63A | Greek salad morsel | OLIVE |
| 64A | Gave the green light | OKED |
| 65A | Catches red-handed | NABS |
| 66A | “Duly ___” | NOTED |
| 67A | They go for bucks | DOES |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for September 23, 2026
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Brazen | BRASH |
| 2D | Jeweler’s magnifying glass | LOUPE |
| 3D | “Star Wars” series starring Diego Luna | ANDOR |
| 4D | Music genre named for its voluminous dos | HAIR METAL |
| 5D | Distinguished conductor | MAESTRO |
| 6D | Agenda topics | ITEMS |
| 7D | Nickname for grandma | NANA |
| 8D | Environmental activist Brockovich | ERIN |
| 9D | Naps, in Nicaragua | SIESTAS |
| 10D | ___ to fame | CLAIM |
| 11D | One preferring purrs to pooches | CAT PERSON |
| 12D | Actress Mendes | EVA |
| 13D | “Old man” | DAD |
| 21D | Spanish aunt | TIA |
| 22D | 720p+ resolution, informally | HI-DEF |
| 25D | Bonkers | LOONY |
| 26D | Gossip, from the Yiddish | YENTA |
| 28D | It’s kept by a metronome | TEMPO |
| 29D | Not fooled by | ONTO |
| 31D | Meshed (with) | JIBED |
| 32D | Thrill | ELATE |
| 33D | Jay’s reticent partner of filmdom | SILENT BOB |
| 35D | Ivy League school with a dolphin on its coat of arms, informally | PENN |
| 36D | “Is everything cool between us?” | ARE WE GOOD |
| 38D | Nonmedical childbirth assistant | DOULA |
| 42D | “Them’s fightin’ words!” | OH, IT’S ON |
| 43D | Talked up | PRAISED |
| 48D | Arbor Day mo. | APR |
| 50D | “Now I remember” | AH YES |
| 51D | Part of a heart or faucet | VALVE |
| 52D | Japanese bread crumbs | PANKO |
| 53D | Host with a mic | EMCEE |
| 54D | More than wants | NEEDS |
| 56D | Rural structure seen in a Grant Wood lithograph | SILO |
| 57D | Dart (about) | FLIT |
| 58D | Seemingly for-EH-ver | EON |
| 59D | Thunder setting, in brief | NBA |
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 23, 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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