How to Submit Your First Crossword to The New York Times
Build a publishable 15x15 crossword with free tools and submit it to The New York Times: official guidelines, published pay rates, step by step.
What is it?
The New York Times accepts crossword submissions from anyone through an online form. Its guidelines (updated Sept. 9, 2026) say "Submissions are open" and "No more than three puzzles pending at a time," and that they could use more Thursday and Sunday puzzles (NYT guidelines). In a 2018 announcement, the Times published rates of $500 for a daily puzzle and $1,500 for a Sunday puzzle for a constructor's first ten published crosswords (NYT, 2018). Rates can change, so check the current guidelines.
Who it suits
- People who solve crosswords often and enjoy English wordplay.
- Patient people: most submissions are declined, and replies can take a long time.
What you actually need
- A strong English vocabulary and cultural knowledge.
- A free construction program (for example, Qxw) or graph paper.
- Following the Times' technical specs exactly.
First steps
- Read the whole guidelines page, including the Technical Specs.
- Solve Monday and Tuesday puzzles and note how themes work (3–4 long theme entries tied together by one idea).
- Download a free tool such as Qxw.
- Write five theme ideas, one line each, then pick the one with the clearest "aha."
*Results vary. Nothing here is a promise of income; the figures quoted are platform rules, not typical earnings.*
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