Crossword lovers, rejoice — the NYT Crossword for August 13, 2025 is here, and it’s equal parts clever, quirky, and tricky. Whether you were stumped by “Frank account?” or couldn’t place the “Casablanca” heroine, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into every clue, answer, and little bit of trivia so you can solve (or check) with confidence.
Today’s Theme
The puzzle’s main theme centers around “SKYWRITING” — the 56-Across reveal. Each long themed answer is a title you could theoretically “write in the sky” for dramatic effect:
- CLOUD ATLAS (17-Across)
- A RAISIN IN THE SUN (22-Across)
- NEW MOON (36-Across)
- NUMBER THE STARS (48-Across)
This literary-meets-visual concept tied together beautifully, especially paired with 41-Down, LIBRARY — a nod to where you’d find all these works.
Across Clues & Answers
- 1A — ___ Bradham, inventor of Pepsi: CALEB
- 6A — Skewer: STAB
- 10A — Cook in hot water: BOIL
- 14A — Frank account?: DIARY (Nice “Anne Frank” wordplay!)
- 15A — Father’s sister: AUNT
- 16A — “Casablanca” heroine: ILSA
- 17A — 2004 sci-fi work by David Mitchell: CLOUD ATLAS
- 19A — Excess: GLUT
- 20A — Floor models: DEMOS
- 21A — Floor: AMAZE
- 22A — 1959 Broadway drama: RAISIN IN THE SUN
- 26A — Dearest pal: BESTIE
- 27A — Sounds at a fireworks show: OOHS
- 28A — Remove from a clothesline: UNPEG
- 29A — Beach blanket?: SAND
- 31A — Black Friday offering: SALE
- 35A — Preceder of Jan.: DEC
- 36A — 2006 Stephenie Meyer novel: NEW MOON
- 39A — With 43-Across, playful marine mammal: SEA
- 40A — Playful marine mammal: SEAL
- 42A — Pros who may care for playful marine mammals: VETS
- 43A — See 39-Across: OTTER
- 45A — “Ah, gotcha”: I SEE
- 47A — Workers who sometimes carry flashlights: USHERS
- 48A — 1989 Lois Lowry children’s novel: NUMBER THE STARS
- 53A — Standard rideshare option: UBERX
- 54A — Warn: ALERT
- 55A — Covid-19, in slang: RONA
- 56A — Puzzle’s big reveal: SKYWRITING
- 61A — Type of word banned in Scrabble: SLUR
- 62A — White House staffer: AIDE
- 63A — Shower scrubber: LOOFA
- 64A — Online crafts shop: ETSY
- 65A — Equipment in “Top Chef”: PANS
- 66A — Spirits: SOULS
Down Clues & Answers
- 1D — Org. encouraging flu shots: CDC
- 2D — Feel ill: AIL
- 3D — Neighbor of a Thai: LAO
- 4D — Scholarly: ERUDITE
- 5D — Intentionally: BY DESIGN
- 6D — Used, as a chair: SAT ON
- 7D — Politician Gabbard: TULSI
- 8D — Santa ___ winds: ANA
- 9D — “Dynamite” K-pop band: BTS
- 10D — Chaotic situation: BIG MESS
- 11D — Some cantina cookware: OLLAS
- 12D — Japanese truck manufacturer: ISUZU
- 13D — Draw toward dark: LATEN
- 18D — Female French friend: AMIE
- 21D — Sound at a massage parlor: AHH
- 22D — Actress Zellweger: RENEE
- 23D — Pet adoption org.: ASPCA
- 24D — Taboos: NONOS
- 25D — Kind of list: TO DO
- 26D — Blossoms-to-be: BUDS
- 29D — 2024 #1 Hozier hit: SWEET
- 30D — Tsp. or tbsp.: AMT
- 32D — Daisylike flower: ASTER
- 33D — Ogles: LEERS
- 34D — Removable Potato Head parts: EARS
- 37D — Happily/after connector: EVER
- 38D — Flared facial features: NOSTRILS
- 41D — Spot to find themed entries: LIBRARY
- 44D — “Your point also”: THAT TOO
- 46D — It sells, in an axiom: SEX
- 47D — Computer operator: USER
- 48D — Sip slowly: NURSE
- 49D — Letter-shaped fastener: U-BOLT
- 50D — Laminated restaurant items: MENUS
- 51D — “Surprise Symphony” composer: HAYDN
- 52D — Cary of “The Princess Bride”: ELWES
- 56D — Deplete: SAP
- 57D — Sportage maker: KIA
- 58D — Collector’s item, informally: IOU
- 59D — Lions’ org.: NFL
- 60D — Neon or Freon: GAS
Quick Takeaway
Today’s NYT Crossword was a delightful mix of pop culture, literature, and wordplay. Between the SKYWRITING theme and bonus trivia in clues like CALEB Bradham (Pepsi’s inventor) and Hozier’s hit SWEET, it’s one to remember.
If you enjoy solving but hate getting stuck, bookmark our daily crossword answer guides — we’ll get you from “big mess” to I SEE in no time.
