01
4.5M/mo
All-in-one AI assistant across web, browser, desktop and mobile
AI AssistantEditorial score: 4.3Freemium55% direct
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Free in-page AI hints for NYT crossword clues, without spoiling the answer
https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/nyt-crossword-assistant/lgjniokcgfbckcddppodeebhphcnnccg
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4.2 / 5Editorial ScoreWhat it's based on
- Usefulness
- 4.3
- Kept up to date
- 4
- Value for money
- 4.5
This is our editors' assessment out of 5, not an average of user ratings. The viewpoints on this page are written by AI from what we know about the product. They are not customer reviews.
Key Facts & Telemetry Summary
According to OpenAITools.app telemetry verified on 2026-11-11, NYT Crossword Assistant (chromewebstore.google.com) is an AI platform indexed under AI Assistant generating 0 monthly visits with a month-over-month traffic delta of +0 (0.0%). Its primary geographic market is Global (— traffic share), and it operates on a Free pricing model. Top competing alternatives by monthly volume include Monica (4.51M visits/mo), Merlin AI (1.38M visits/mo), AI Word Solver (7.66K visits/mo).
Why Choose NYT Crossword Assistant
- +Completely free to install and use from the Chrome Web Store
- +Hints stay on the puzzle page, so you never lose your place or context
- +Deliberately avoids spoilers by nudging rather than answering
- +Works with both the Mini and the full Daily NYT crossword
Watchouts & Trade-offs
- –Hint quality depends on the ChatGPT API and the clue phrasing
- –A small extension with a modest user base, so there is little community support
- –Requires the official NYT crossword pages to function
Multi-Angle Perspectives
AI Synthesis@m_218
Gives just enough of a nudge without ruining the puzzle.
@leo_178
Absolute lifesaver when stuck on a weird crossword clue.
@m_224
Clean little extension that stays out of your way until needed.
About NYT Crossword Assistant
01
In-page hint popup
Click a crossword clue and a popup appears in the top-right corner of the puzzle page, so you never leave the crossword to get help.
02
Hint-only, no spoilers
Hints are tailored to the exact clue, guiding you toward the answer without simply revealing it and ruining the solve.
03
Mini and Daily support
Works with both the Mini and Daily NYT crossword puzzles on nytimes.com/crosswords.
04
One-click simplicity
No configuration flow to learn: install it, open a puzzle, click a clue, and read the hint.
NYT Crossword Assistant is a small, purpose-built Chrome extension for people who enjoy the New York Times crossword but occasionally get stuck on a clue. When you click on a clue in the puzzle, it opens an in-page popup in the top-right corner with a hint generated through the ChatGPT API. The design goal is nudge, not spoiler: the hint points you in the right direction so you can still feel the satisfaction of working out the answer yourself.
It is built by the team behind the NYTCrosswordToday website, a resource site focused on daily NYT crossword clue answers. The extension plugs that habit directly into the puzzle page so you no longer need to switch tabs. It officially supports both puzzle formats the Times publishes on its crossword hub, the smaller Mini and the full Daily.
Importantly, this is an independent fan project. The developer states clearly that it is not affiliated with The New York Times Magazine or any other news organization. It is free to install and best suited to casual solvers who want a quick assist on tricky clues rather than a full solving engine.
Frequently Asked Questions about NYT Crossword Assistant
No. It is designed to provide hints tailored to the selected clue, nudging you toward the solution without revealing the answer directly, so the puzzle stays challenging.
Top 12 NYT Crossword Assistant Alternatives & Competitors
Side-by-side telemetry comparison of competing AI tools in the same primary category
| Rank | AI Tool | Monthly Visits | MoM Growth | Direct traffic share | Pricing | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | NYT Crossword Assistant | 0 | — | — | Free | Current |
| 1 | Monica | 4.51M | -11.3% | 55% direct | Freemium | vs Monica |
