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 28, 2026 covers every clue in order.
28 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 28, 2026
Start with the hint if you’d like to keep solving on your own. The answer is listed directly underneath.
| No. | Across clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Widespread disorder | HAVOC |
| 6A | Like the exteriors of armadillos | SCALY |
| 11A | Fall behind in payments | OWE |
| 14A | Boxing locale | ARENA |
| 15A | Classic radio song | OLDIE |
| 16A | Dessert with a crust | PIE |
| 17A | Solid baseball hit | LINER |
| 18A | Complete shocker | BOMBSHELL |
| 20A | Bicycle built for two | TANDEM |
| 22A | Round Table title | SIR |
| 23A | “___ time will tell” | ONLY |
| 24A | Prefix with physics or thermal | GEO |
| 25A | Make into law | ENACT |
| 27A | Alternative to French fries | TATER TOTS |
| 31A | Skill needed to solve sudoku | LOGIC |
| 35A | Suffix with fail or forfeit | URE |
| 36A | Apple platform | IOS |
| 37A | “Time flies like an [50-Down]; fruit flies like a ___” | BANANA |
| 38A | With 41-Across, ball hit out of the park by the very first batter for either side … | LEADOFF |
| 41A | See 38-Across | HOMERUN |
| 42A | Coconut Girl Scout cookies | SAMOAS |
| 43A | “La Cage ___ Folles” | AUX |
| 44A | Frat member | BRO |
| 45A | Liability’s opposite | ASSET |
| 46A | Detonation region | BLAST ZONE |
| 49A | “___ I compare thee to a summer’s day?” | SHALL |
| 51A | Before, poetically | ERE |
| 52A | What’s more | ALSO |
| 55A | Spoil | ROT |
| 56A | Performs a stylish ballroom dance | TANGOS |
| 60A | Tropical tree whose product is sometimes used as a meat substitute | JACKFRUIT |
| 63A | San Francisco ballplayer | GIANT |
| 64A | Actress de Armas | ANA |
| 65A | “Take a look!” | GO SEE |
| 66A | Helper for computer problems, informally | IT GUY |
| 67A | Kylo ___ of “Star Wars” | REN |
| 68A | Stockholm native | SWEDE |
| 69A | Pursue | CHASE |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for September 28, 2026
| No. | Down clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | “Stop!” | HALT |
| 2D | Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro,” e.g. | ARIA |
| 3D | Kind of diagram with overlapping circles | VENN |
| 4D | Antsy | ON EDGE |
| 5D | One’s employment pursuit | CAREER |
| 6D | Bawl | SOB |
| 7D | Places to hang clothes | CLOSETS |
| 8D | Forum overseers | ADMINS |
| 9D | The Scales, zodiacally | LIBRA |
| 10D | “Definitely!” | YES |
| 11D | Certain golf or tennis tournament | OPEN |
| 12D | Funny Ferrell or Rogers | WILL |
| 13D | Slippery | EELY |
| 19D | Scorcher | HOT ONE |
| 21D | Recurring thematic elements | MOTIFS |
| 26D | Happy as a ___ | CLAM |
| 27D | City NE of Oklahoma City | TULSA |
| 28D | Fields | AREAS |
| 29D | The N.H.L. has 32 | TEAMS |
| 30D | Cartoon brawl sound effect | OOF |
| 32D | Actress Greta of “Queen Christina” | GARBO |
| 33D | Store, as ashes | INURN |
| 34D | Dugout, e.g. | CANOE |
| 37D | Complete series, maybe | BOX SET |
| 39D | Gets by | DOES OK |
| 40D | Solemn vow | OATH |
| 41D | ___ Guofeng, successor to Mao Zedong | HUA |
| 43D | Like the score going into extra innings | ALL TIED |
| 46D | Top to accompany a skirt | BLOUSE |
| 47D | Like the fate of Ophelia | TRAGIC |
| 48D | Peak | ZENITH |
| 50D | See 37-Across | ARROW |
| 52D | Cracked slightly, as a door | AJAR |
| 53D | Word following bike or memory | LANE |
| 54D | Look at carefully | SCAN |
| 57D | “Shallow” singer Lady ___ | GAGA |
| 58D | Burden | ONUS |
| 59D | Ailment that aptly rhymes with “eye” | STYE |
| 61D | N.F.L. three-pointers: Abbr. | FGS |
| 62D | Top to accompany shorts | TEE |
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 28, 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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