# Better NYTC

> Better keyboard control, a dark mode, and more for the NY Times Crossword and other NY Times games

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/better-nytc](https://chrome-stats.com/d/better-nytc)

## Overview

- **ID:** `better-nytc`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Steve Kieffer
- **Category:** games-entertainment
- **Daily users:** 413
- **Weekly downloads:** 21
- **Rating:** 5.00 / 5 (3 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.4.0
- **Last updated:** 2026-03-07
- **First published:** 2022-11-13
- **Size:** 112 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-13
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/better-nytc/)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/skieffer/better-nytc](https://github.com/skieffer/better-nytc)

## Description

Better NYTC enhances the NYT Crossword and other NYT games with keyboard-first controls. Hold Shift to pencil temporarily, double-tap to switch modes, and use Caps Lock toggles via the control panel. Alt-P pauses/unpauses the timer. Activate dark mode from the puzzle’s control panel to preserve highlights and shading while easing eye strain. The red pencil option makes pencil marks stand out for quicker solving.

Beginning with version 1.4.0, an optional dark mode toggle is available for Connections, Letter Boxed, Pips, Spelling Bee, Strands, Sudoku, and Tiles. Enable it from the extension’s options/preferences page in your browser for a consistent look across NYT games.

## Rankings

- #5,711 — Overall
- #68 — beta
- #214 — spelling

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `storage`

### Content script matches

- `www.nytimes.com`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** Moderate risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Moderate risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Injects scripts into web pages, which may alter or extract site contents, resulting in a substantial risk.
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Similar extensions and apps

- [NYT Crossword Helper](https://chrome-stats.com/d/nyt-crossword-helper) — 10 users
- [Crossword Pencil](https://chrome-stats.com/d/crosswordpencil) — 2 users
- [Crosseyed](https://chrome-stats.com/d/crosseyed)
- [Sudoku.com Enhanced](https://chrome-stats.com/d/sudoku-com-enhanced) — 50 users, 4.00 / 5
- [NYT Pencil Toggler](https://chrome-stats.com/d/nyt-pencil-toggler) — 104 users, 5.00 / 5
- [NYT Free Crosswords Navigator](https://chrome-stats.com/d/nyt-crossword-mini-easy-mode) — 8 users, 5.00 / 5
- [NY Times Connections Helper](https://chrome-stats.com/d/ny-times-connections-helper) — 2 users
- [PencilToggler](https://chrome-stats.com/d/penciltoggler) — 9 users, 1.00 / 5
- [NYT Crossword Fullscreen](https://chrome-stats.com/d/nyt-crossword-fullscreen) — 41 users
- [tinyt](https://chrome-stats.com/d/tinyt) — 1 users, 5.00 / 5
- [NYT Bee Helper](https://chrome-stats.com/d/nyt-bee-helper)
- [NYT Next/Previous Crossword](https://chrome-stats.com/d/nyt-next-previous-crossword) — 1 users

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/better-nytc)