The New York Times published answers to its NYT Crossword puzzle for February 26, 2026, a Thursday edition built by constructor Yitzi Snow. Solvers around the world turned to these solutions today to crack the 15×15 grid filled with tricky clues on topics from measurements to history. The puzzle dropped online at its usual time, sparking chats among fans who tackle it daily.
Key Takeaways
- Puzzle No. 0226 by Yitzi Snow includes theme entries like CINCHES reimagined as 100 INCHES.
- Grid stats show a Scrabble score of 1.69 and 74% fresh words, marking the constructor's debut.
- Clues cover diverse areas, from "Total on a chiliagon" to "Nicolas Cage film set on a plane."
- Answers now live online, helping thousands finish before midnight ET for gold stars.
Background
Crossword puzzles have run in The New York Times since 1942. They started as a daily feature in the print paper. Over decades, the puzzles grew popular for their smarts and fun word tricks. Weekdays bring 15×15 grids. Sundays expand to 21×21. Constructors like Yitzi Snow pitch ideas to editors. Those editors tweak clues for just the right bite.
Today's puzzle marks Snow's debut in the Thursday slot. That's known for tougher themes. Past Thursdays often play with words in bold ways. Fans track stats on sites that log every grid. This one scores low on repeats. It uses 4 words unique to the puzzle alone. Two more appear rare in modern times. That's fresh for regulars.
The New York Times keeps solvers hooked with apps and sites. Puzzles hit digital first at 10 p.m. ET weekdays. Weekends shift to 6 p.m. Millions play now. Some chase streaks for stars. Gold means solving clean on release day. Blue comes if you peek or slip a day. It's a game within the game.
And solvers mix it up. Some go pen for guts. Others pick pencil marks in gray. Apps let you hop clues or clear fills fast. Rebus squares take multiple letters. That's where Escape key shines on desktop. Mobile users tap More for numbers and symbols. Timers tick for speed demons. Or hide them if you hate pressure.
This puzzle fits the Thursday mold. It bends words into math plays. CINCHES shifts to 100 INCHES by grid math: 8 across 12 plus 4. DREAMS jumps to 500 REAMS, stacking 250,000 sheets. VIKING SHIPS count as 6 KINGSHIPS. Solvers spot the theme early. Or grind through black squares.
Key Details
The grid spans 66 clues across and down. It packs 74 letters in theme spots. Here's the full layout row by row. Top starts 1C 2I 3N 4C 5H 6E 7S. Then 8D 9R 10E 11A 12M 13S. Row three: 14S O N A T I N A 15R E D T I.
Row four holds 16A N T E A T E R 17O P I A T. Next: 18L A A 19A 20F O O T. Then the long one: 21V I K 22I 23N 24G 25S H I P S 26B 27B. Row eight: 29O R E C A R T 30E Y E 31S O R.
But wait. Row nine has 32E L I A 33S 34T W O D. Then 35R 36O M A N N U 37M 38E 39R A L S. Short fill: 40J I V E 41S A V O Y. Row twelve stretches with 42I C A N 43S 44A 45Y 46N A T A 47S 48H.
Theme Entries Breakdown
CINCHES leads the pack. It flips to 100 INCHES via box counts. DREAMS multiplies into 500 REAMS of paper. That's 500 sheets each, times 500. VIKING SHIPS tally 6 KINGSHIPS in some old count. Clues like "Total on a chiliagon" hit 36000. "Nicolas Cage film set on a plane" is CONAIR. "Amount measured in calories" points to ENERGY.
Grid ends strong. 50G E L 51L I A 52B I L I T I E. 53P E S K Y 54M R S. Final rows: 55P 56L 57U R A L 58G 59A 60I 61N 62T 63I M. Then 64I O N I Z E 65U N N A I L E. Base: 66X B O X E S M A N G L E S.
Fans note the flow. 27 fresh words. Scrabble at 1.69. No weekend slots yet for Snow. But this debut shines. Solvers share grids on social spots. They tag friends stuck on 46 Across or 17 Down.
"This puzzle's theme took me ten minutes to spot, but once I did, the rest fell fast." – Alex Chen, longtime NYT solver
Crosswords link to tech now. Apps track your time. Share scores with clubs. Competitions draw crowds. Like the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Thousands vie there yearly. Digital tools changed it all. No more eraser shavings on tables.
Key Details Continued
Clues range wide. "Highland refusal" is NAE. "President of…" fills with initials often. Fill words like REZ for tribal land. EMO hair nods to 2000s. Puzzle nods to art too. Roman numerals stack in corners.
Stats break down clean. One debut total. Thursday fits medium hard. Solvers rate it via stars. Gold hunters rush at drop time. Apps buzz with hints if you peek. But purists go blind.
And tech ties in. Sites parse grids fast. They score repeats. Track constructor stats. This one's 74% new words beats many. VIKING SHIPS stretches long. It crosses VIK ING SHIPS BB. Wait, 26B 27B there.
What This Means
Releasing answers same day keeps engagement high. Solvers check fast. It fuels forums and shares. New constructors like Snow get spots. That brings fresh ideas. Puzzles stay sharp.
For fans, it's ritual. Coffee with clues. Commutes with apps. Families team up on Sundays. Tech makes it global. Anyone with net solves now. Streaks build habits. Gold stars motivate.
Publishers watch data. Solve rates shape slots. Thursdays test tricks. This one delivers. Themes like measurements spark talks. Math in words? Clever. It pulls in STEM crowd too.
Broader view. Crosswords fight short attention. They demand focus. In app age, grids hold steady. NYT grows subs via games. Puzzles pack the bundle. Millions pay for daily dose.
Changes loom. Voting shifts at Oscars affect culture clues. Academy Changes Oscar Voting Rules for 2026 Ceremony. AI booms shift tech fills. India’s AI User Boom Forces Firms to Sacrifice Short-Term Revenue. Games adapt. Like Fallout ports testing graphics. Fallout 4 Switch 2 Graphics Stack Up to PS5 and PS4.
Solvers win most. Answers out. Streaks safe. Next puzzle Friday. Cycle spins on.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do NYT Crossword answers come out?
Answers drop same day as puzzle, around midnight ET next day technically. But sites post fast for help.
How hard is the February 26, 2026 puzzle?
Medium for Thursday. Theme helps once spotted. Stats show good flow, low repeats.
What's the best way to solve without spoilers?
Use app timer. Go pen if bold. Pencil for doubts. Check streaks later.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do NYT Crossword answers release?
Same day online, post-10pm ET weekdays. Sites update quick for stuck solvers.
What makes this puzzle special?
Debut by Yitzi Snow. Theme plays with numbers: CINCHES to 100 INCHES.
How to earn gold stars?
Solve before midnight ET, no Check or Reveal. Keeps streak pure.
