We hope you enjoy playing the New York Crossword. Here are answers to common questions about our weekly puzzle. If you don’t find the answer to your question below or would like to send us feedback, please email comments@nymag.com.
When do puzzles become available online?
Puzzles are published weekly on Saturdays at 5 a.m. ET.
Are puzzles the same in the print magazine and online?
Yes. New puzzles that appear in the magazine appear online. For weeks in between issues, we publish a puzzle exclusively from our archive.
How do I solve a puzzle?
You can solve the puzzle by answering the clues in any order. Click on either a clue or a box in the grid to enter an answer. Clues marked in gray indicate that a word has been entered.
How do I navigate through the puzzle on a computer?
You can move your cursor to the left, to the right, up, or down with the arrow keys. Move to the next clue by pressing the enter key, or to the previous clue by holding shift and pressing the enter key.
How do I navigate through the puzzle on a mobile device?
Click on a box in the grid to enter an answer. After you enter a word, the cursor automatically moves to the next word in the current direction. Tap on the blue clue bar or double tap on the grid to change the direction of a word from “across” to “down” and vice versa.
I don’t see the clues. What’s happening?
Expand your browser window or adjust your browser to zoom out to normal zoom level to view the clues.
Can I print a puzzle?
Yes, you can. Click on the print option in the menu bar above the grid. You will have the option to print a blank puzzle, a puzzle with filled letters, and a puzzle with the entire solution.
Can I save a partially solved puzzle and come back to it later?
Yes. Click on the hamburger icon in the top menu bar and select the save option. You must use the same device and the same browser to access saved puzzles. Additionally, you must allow cookies from all websites, and you must not be in private-browsing mode.
Are tools available to help me solve the puzzle and adjust my experience while playing?
There are a number of ways to modify your game experience. Use the top menu bar and drop down menu to reveal answers, save your work, restart the game, and more.
How do I get help with a clue if I’m stuck?
If you’re stuck, click on the Reveal or Check options in the top menu bar. You will be able to review your guesses and reveal a letter, a word, or the entire grid.
Can I automatically check whether my answers are correct?
Yes, you can. To review your guesses while solving a puzzle, turn on the Error-check Mode tool. Navigate to the Settings option in the top menu bar to turn it on. Incorrect letters in the grid will appear in red.
Can I pause the timer or hide it?
Yes. Click on the timer icon in the top menu bar to pause it. Navigate to the Settings option and select show timer to turn it on and off.
How can I reset the puzzle and start over?
To restart the puzzle, navigate to the hamburger icon in the top menu bar and select the clear option to reset the game. The timer will restart as well.