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 27, 2026 covers every clue in order.
27 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 27, 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 | Bad association | STIGMA |
| 7A | Shoot for dinner? | SPRIG |
| 12A | Jeweler’s wares | CUT GEMS |
| 19A | … in global commerce) (Conflict … | TETRAD |
| 20A | Emerge | ARISE |
| 21A | DeVore who co-founded one of the first U.S. agencies for nonwhite models in 1946 | OPHELIA |
| 22A | Potential benefit | UPSIDE |
| 23A | Was almost out of supplies | RAN LOW |
| 25A | That’s saying something! | ORATORY |
| 26A | Turned into an internet gag | MEMED |
| 27A | Japanese graphic novels | MANGA |
| 28A | … outdoor festivals) (Bathrooms at … | ESPORT |
| 30A | Dukes, countesses, etc. | PEERAGE |
| 32A | Put down in writing | COMMIT TO PAPER |
| 37A | Actress Sink of “Stranger Things” | SADIE |
| 39A | Baby who’s up all night? | OWLET |
| 40A | Where many papyrus plants grow | NILE |
| 41A | Frenzied locale at a rock concert | MOSH PIT |
| 44A | Press a case? | SUE |
| 45A | “Spring forward” hrs. | DST |
| 47A | Test room | LAB |
| 48A | Cut back on | PARE |
| 49A | Kind of effect that can manifest as a counterclockwise motion in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise motion in the Southern Hemisphere | CORIOLIS |
| 53A | Carnivore whose vocalization sounds like giggling | HYENA |
| 55A | Google’s domain | THE WEB |
| 58A | Hindu festival of colors | HOLI |
| 59A | Auto brand whose logo is meant to evoke the precision of a caliper | ACURA |
| 62A | Instant | SEC |
| 63A | Challenge to a potential investor | ARE YOU IN |
| 66A | … transport)(Bigwig’s … | MOPERS |
| 68A | Straightaway driving contests | DRAG RACES |
| 70A | Philadelphia-area university that’s a powerhouse in men’s hoops | VILLANOVA |
| 73A | … park an auto)(Narrow space in which to … | RAGE ON |
| 74A | Marvelous | SPLENDID |
| 77A | One in 100: Abbr. | SEN |
| 78A | “It ____ Me” (2000 Shaggy hit) | WASN’T |
| 79A | Word with dish or drag | MAIN |
| 80A | Locale for many a commercial logo | T-SHIRT |
| 82A | German brewery since 1873 | BECK’S |
| 85A | Return to an earlier topic of conversation … or what six answers in this puzzle literally do | LOOP BACK |
| 89A | Cause of some red cheeks | ACNE |
| 90A | Entertainment source for general audiences, in brief? | USO |
| 91A | Bub | MAC |
| 94A | ____ Lanka | SRI |
| 95A | Custom-tailored | BESPOKE |
| 98A | One of Cuba’s Castros | RAUL |
| 100A | Lose it | GO APE |
| 102A | Best-case | IDEAL |
| 103A | Crafts used in NASA’s Galileo and Juno missions | JUPITER PROBES |
| 107A | Good position to be in? | PLUM JOB |
| 112A | … clarify or explain)(Seeking to … | VEINTE |
| 113A | Hide-outs | LAIRS |
| 115A | Itsy-bitsy | TEENY |
| 116A | Disk-flipping strategy game | REVERSI |
| 119A | Like wheat beers | YEASTY |
| 121A | Certain factory machine | SORTER |
| 122A | Chaperones | ESCORTS |
| 123A | Many a John Williams composition | THEME |
| 124A | … of hindsight)(With the benefit … | PECTIN |
| 125A | Clear coat | VARNISH |
| 126A | Oafs | ASSES |
| 127A | Deal made on the spot? | AD SALE |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for September 27, 2026
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Bewilder | STUMP |
| 2D | Conical accommodations | TEPEE |
| 3D | Unhelpful way to respond to “Hello?” | IT’S ME |
| 4D | “Jackie Brown” star Pam | GRIER |
| 5D | Unruly rush | MAD DASH |
| 6D | Commercial suffix with Power | ADE |
| 7D | Singer Bareilles | SARA |
| 8D | Have a spring in one’s step | PRANCE |
| 9D | One of the Beatles | RINGO |
| 10D | Faith with five pillars | ISLAM |
| 11D | Prefix with cache | GEO |
| 12D | Assumed ownership over | COOPTED |
| 13D | Pulls out, as weeds | UPROOTS |
| 14D | Choreographer Twyla | THARP |
| 15D | Achieve a sunbather’s goal | GET TAN |
| 16D | ___ rating (chess stat) | ELO |
| 17D | Old space station | MIR |
| 18D | Perhaps | SAY |
| 24D | Chinese artist Ai ____ | WEIWEI |
| 27D | Triage provider | MEDIC |
| 29D | The Cardinals, on scoreboards | STL |
| 31D | Clothing brand named for perceived generational differences in the ’60s | GAP |
| 33D | “____ Rouge” | MOULIN |
| 34D | It’s driven into the ground | PILE |
| 35D | Flair | ELAN |
| 36D | Redheaded “Queen of Country” | REBA |
| 38D | Diminutive Spanish suffix | ITO |
| 41D | Bill of HBO’s “Real Time” | MAHER |
| 42D | Mine craft? | ORE CAR |
| 43D | Do some garment-making | SEW |
| 44D | Performances for one | SOLI |
| 46D | Competitor of Bluesky and X | THREADS |
| 48D | Affliction for some vets, in brief | PTSD |
| 50D | Greek PPP | RHOS |
| 51D | Promise of payback | IOU |
| 52D | Chef Nosrat who wrote “Salt Fat Acid Heat” | SAMIN |
| 54D | Tall tale | YARN |
| 56D | Sonic euphoria, colloquially | EARGASM |
| 57D | Scottish hillsides | BRAES |
| 60D | Far from the target, in a guessing game | COLD |
| 61D | Illuminated from below | UPLIT |
| 64D | Univ. course that’s in demand? | ECON |
| 65D | Streisand musical | YENTL |
| 67D | “That’s freaking epic!” | SO SICK |
| 69D | Rubberneck | GAWK |
| 70D | ____ cava (major blood vessel) | VENA |
| 71D | Sci-fi pioneer Jules | VERNE |
| 72D | It gets you a hand | ANTE |
| 74D | Portmanteau sandwich cookie with a layer of marshmallow | S’MOREO |
| 75D | Big ____, nickname for M.L.B.’s David Ortiz | PAPI |
| 76D | Lefty, to a righty | LIB |
| 81D | “Ni ____” (Chinese “hello”) | HAO |
| 82D | ____ Khalifa, tower scaled by Tom Cruise | BURJ |
| 83D | Heir with much hair in the Bible | ESAU |
| 84D | Great success | COUP |
| 86D | Fish hawk | OSPREY |
| 87D | Purportedly calming compound in some gummies, in brief | CBD |
| 88D | Play for ____ | KEEPS |
| 92D | Shaders of gray? | AGEISTS |
| 93D | Cultural group of SW Britain | CORNISH |
| 96D | ____ soda | SAL |
| 97D | Astronomically demoted, as per a 2006 Word of the Year | PLUTOED |
| 99D | Persist | LIVE ON |
| 101D | Fitting | APT |
| 102D | “Am I crazy …?” | IS IT ME |
| 104D | Twin sister of Sherri on “The Simpsons” | TERRI |
| 105D | Malaise, with “the” | BLAHS |
| 106D | Lets up | EASES |
| 108D | Violently eliminates, in gamer-speak | MERCS |
| 109D | Volkswagen sedan | JETTA |
| 110D | Buck enshrined in Cooperstown | O’NEIL |
| 111D | David who fronted Talking Heads | BYRNE |
| 114D | Some loaves or liquors | RYES |
| 116D | Something gas cars do noisily that electric vehicles don’t | REV |
| 117D | That, in Spanish | ESA |
| 118D | Forerunner of the DVD player | VCR |
| 120D | “when r u coming?” | ETA |
| 121D | Relaxing getaway | SPA |
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 27, 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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