You’re sitting there with your morning coffee, staring at 14-Across. The clue says common file extension nyt, and you have three little boxes mocking you. You think "DOC"? No, that doesn't fit the crossing word. "JPG"? Doesn't work either. Suddenly it hits you—the New York Times crossword loves a very specific set of digital shorthand that hasn't actually been "common" in the real world since the Clinton administration.
Crossword puzzles are a weird time capsule. While we live in a world of .HEIC photos and .JSON data packets, the puzzle grid is a different beast entirely. It’s a place where the 1990s never ended.
If you are hunting for that specific three-letter answer, it is almost certainly EXE.
The Triple-Threat: EXE, PDF, and DOC
Why does EXE show up so much? It’s the vowel-to-consonant ratio. Crossword constructors are basically playing a high-stakes game of Tetris with the alphabet. They need words that bridge gaps. EXE is the holy grail for them because it starts and ends with a vowel, making it incredibly easy to "cross" with other words.
In the real world, an .EXE file is an executable file for Windows. It’s the "Go" button for a program. If you’re on a Mac, you probably never see them. If you’re on a phone, you definitely don't. But in the NYT crossword universe, it is the king of extensions.
Then there’s PDF. You’ll see this one tagged as "Adobe extension" or "Common doc format." It’s a favorite because of that "P" and "D." If the constructor has a word like "CUP" or "ADORE" running vertically, PDF slots in like a dream.
Honestly, it’s kinda funny how these extensions have become linguistic fossils. Most people today don't even look at file extensions. We just click icons. Windows even hides extensions by default now to keep things "clean." But the NYT crossword demands you remember exactly how files were labeled in 1995.
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The Weird Ones: DAT, SYS, and COM
Sometimes the constructor gets mean. You’ll see a clue like "Old file extension" or "System file suffix."
- DAT: This stands for Data. It’s the ultimate "vague" file. Back in the day, a .DAT file could be anything from a video to a text log. In a crossword, it’s a gift because it uses very common letters.
- SYS: Usually clued as "Windows file suffix." These are system files. If you deleted one in 1998, your computer stopped working. Today, they’re just crossword filler.
- COM: Short for Command. Before .EXE took over the world, .COM files were the standard for small executable programs in DOS.
You’ve probably noticed that the NYT doesn't just use these to test your tech knowledge. They use them to save themselves from a corner they’ve written themselves into. If a constructor has "S_S" and needs a word, you can bet your house that SYS is going in there, even if no one has manually opened a .SYS file since the Bush era.
Why the NYT Crossword Is Obsessed with Tech Suffixes
It’s all about the "Vowel Cross."
Think about the word BMP. It’s a bitmap image file. You almost never see it in the crossword. Why? Because three consonants in a row is a nightmare for a puzzle builder. Unless they can find three words that need a B, an M, and a P in those exact spots, they’ll avoid it like the plague.
Now look at AVI. It’s an old video format from Microsoft. It’s got two vowels and a common consonant. You’ll see AVI in the NYT puzzle way more often than you’ll ever see an actual .AVI file on your desktop. It’s a "crossword-ese" staple.
There is a real art to this, though. Will Shortz, the legendary editor, has to balance the "junk" (the short, filler words) with the "sparkle" (the long, clever phrases). If a constructor uses EXE or DOC, they usually do it so they can fit a really cool 15-letter phrase nearby, like "GHOSTING SOMEONE" or "ESPRESSO MARTINI."
Let’s talk about the Mac vs. PC bias
The NYT crossword is heavily biased toward old-school PC terminology. You rarely see DMG (the Mac disk image format). You almost never see APP. But you see DLL (Dynamic Link Library) every now and then, usually clued as "Windows file type: Abbr."
This happens because the pool of constructors—the people who actually make these puzzles—often rely on databases of words that have worked in the past. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle. EXE worked in 1994, so it stays in the database, and it keeps getting used in 2026.
The Evolution of the "Common" Extension
The puzzle is slowly changing, though. Recently, we’ve seen more modern "extensions" or digital shorthand appearing.
- GIF: Everyone knows this one. It’s a godsend for constructors because of that "I."
- URL: Technically not a file extension, but it shows up in the same "tech-y" clues.
- MP3: A bit rarer because of the number, but still a classic.
- IMG: Often clued as "Web tag" or "Pic file."
But if you’re stuck on a Tuesday or Wednesday puzzle and the clue is common file extension nyt, and the word is three letters long, go through this mental checklist:
First, try EXE. It is the statistical winner.
Second, try PDF.
Third, try DOC.
Fourth, try JPG.
If it’s four letters? It’s almost always HTML or JPEG. Sometimes DATA, though that’s rarely clued as an extension.
Is this actually "Common" anymore?
Let’s be real. If you sent a .DOC file to someone today, they’d probably ask why you aren't using a Google Doc or a .DOCX. The "X" at the end of modern Microsoft files (like .DOCX or .XLSX) has actually made those words harder for crossword constructors to use. Nobody wants to deal with a terminal "X" in a grid. It’s too hard to find a crossing word.
So, the crossword stays stuck in the era of the three-letter suffix. It’s a linguistic sanctuary for the file types we’ve mostly forgotten.
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Pro Tips for Cracking the Grid
When you see a tech clue, look at the era of the rest of the puzzle. If the puzzle references "The Thin Man" or old silent film stars, the "common file extension" is going to be something ancient like COM or DAT.
If the puzzle feels "hip" and mentions TikTok or Gen Z slang, you might be looking at GIF or PNG.
Also, pay attention to the abbreviation hint. If the clue ends in "Abbr." or "for short," the answer is almost certainly DOC, SYS, or DLL. If it doesn't have an abbreviation marker, it’s more likely to be a standalone word that functions as an extension, like EXE or PDF.
The NYT crossword isn't just a test of what you know; it's a test of how you think the constructor thinks. They aren't looking at their 2026 smartphone when they write these clues. They are looking at a grid and trying to find a way to make the letters E-X-E work for the fifth time this month.
Real-World Action Steps for Solvers
Next time you’re stuck on a tech-related clue in the NYT, don't overthink it. Don't look for the most modern, cutting-edge technology. Instead, think like a database from 1998.
- Memorize the "Big Three": EXE, PDF, DOC. They solve 80% of these clues.
- Check the crossing vowels: If the middle letter is an "X," it’s EXE. If the middle letter is a "D," it’s PDF.
- Look for "Old" in the clue: If you see "Old file format," immediately think AVI, BMP, or COM.
- Vary your search: If you’re truly stuck, look at the vertical words first. The file extension is usually the "fill" that connects the more interesting vertical answers.
Solving the NYT crossword is about recognizing patterns. Once you realize that the "common file extension" is a recurring character in the puzzle’s recurring cast, you’ll stop seeing it as a hurdle and start seeing it as a freebie. You get those three letters, and suddenly the whole corner of the puzzle opens up. That’s the "Aha!" moment every solver lives for.