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 25, 2026 covers every clue in order.
25 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 25, 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 | Olympic slalom equipment | CANOE |
| 6A | Spanish sparkling wine | CAVA |
| 10A | First, second or third | GEAR |
| 14A | “For real!” | IKIDYOUNOT |
| 16A | Fictional company famous for its duds | ACME |
| 17A | Outcome of a match, maybe | TINDERDATE |
| 18A | Forum setting | ROME |
| 19A | U2 producer Brian | ENO |
| 20A | Stew on it! | LADLE |
| 21A | Like a whodunit in which the butler did it [duh!] | BANAL |
| 22A | Device seen on a front desk | BELL |
| 23A | Ho Chi Minh City’s former name | SAIGON |
| 25A | Exploit a loophole, e.g. | GAMETHESYSTEM |
| 29A | Disinclined | AVERSE |
| 30A | Supermodel Alek | WEK |
| 31A | ___ one’s time | BIDE |
| 34A | Procedure after which you might wear flip-flops, informally | PEDI |
| 35A | Off | AMISS |
| 37A | ___ Minor | ASIA |
| 38A | Pen that isn’t used for writing, in brief | ECIG |
| 39A | “Karma is a cat / Purring in my ___ ’cause it loves me” | LAP |
| 40A | Port on the Loire | NANTES |
| 42A | “Speaking of which …” | THATREMINDSME |
| 45A | Like an earworm | CATCHY |
| 46A | Play group | ACTS |
| 47A | Not bother | LETBE |
| 48A | Rapper and actor Smith | JADEN |
| 50A | Go-to doc | PCP |
| 53A | Actress Shawkat | ALIA |
| 54A | Ones providing brief assistance? | PARALEGALS |
| 56A | Alliance | BLOC |
| 57A | Invasive plants? | ENEMYSPIES |
| 58A | One might be meat-only or dairy-only in a kosher household | SINK |
| 59A | Morsels often found in fried rice | PEAS |
| 60A | The Devil’s domain | TAROT |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for September 25, 2026
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Give credit to, in a way | CITE |
| 2D | Analogous | AKIN |
| 3D | ___ Sarratore, “My Brilliant Friend” character | NINO |
| 4D | “How ___” | ODD |
| 5D | Certain loopholes | EYELETS |
| 6D | Spoon, e.g. | CUDDLE |
| 7D | Second Freudian stage | ANAL |
| 8D | Gives one’s approval, in a way | VOTESYES |
| 9D | Past-tense verb that becomes its present tense when you move its last letter to the front | ATE |
| 10D | Sources of some rock | GARAGEBANDS |
| 11D | Some experts of interest? | ECONOMISTS |
| 12D | World capital once known as Philadelphia | AMMAN |
| 13D | Instagram : ___ :: YouTube : Short | REEL |
| 15D | Focus for the foul-mouthed? | ORALHEALTH |
| 21D | Skosh | BIT |
| 22D | “Hang on a sec” | BERIGHTBACK |
| 24D | Says “please,” say | ASKSNICELY |
| 25D | Look stunned | GAPE |
| 26D | “___ plaisir” (“You’re welcome,” in French) | AVEC |
| 27D | Breathtaking activity? | MEDITATION |
| 28D | Take without paying … or a motion made while paying | SWIPE |
| 32D | Per ___ | DIEM |
| 33D | Slip (into) | EASE |
| 36D | Ganja | MARYJANE |
| 41D | Residence that can have thousands of chambers | ANTNEST |
| 43D | Unreturnable pickleball shot | ACE |
| 44D | Polite titles | MADAMS |
| 45D | Instruments in chamber groups | CELLI |
| 47D | Discovery sites | LABS |
| 49D | What’s distorted in a Mercator projection | AREA |
| 50D | Part of a full house | PAIR |
| 51D | Ptolemaic royal, familiarly | CLEO |
| 52D | Poke alternative | PSST |
| 54D | Vim | PEP |
| 55D | Transcript fig. | GPA |
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 25, 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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