USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 12, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
DayMonday
Today’s USA Today Crossword clues, hints & answers
Every clue from this puzzle with a hint and the answer behind separate buttons, so you only see what you need. Click a clue for its own page.
Across
1A
"The ___ Express" (5)
Starts with P, ends with RPOLAR→
6A
"That ain't happening" (4)
Starts with U, ends with OUMNO→
10A
Bitter beers (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIPAS→
14A
Uttered some words (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPOKE→
15A
Look for some hiders (4)
Starts with S, ends with KSEEK→
16A
What nun gets you in dreidel (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENONE→
17A
Room often used for storage (5)
Starts with A, ends with CATTIC→
18A
Periods of Taylor Swift's career (4)
Starts with E, ends with SERAS→
19A
Totally over (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDONE→
20A
A band's most enthusiastic supporter (12)
Starts with N, ends with NNUMBERONEFAN→
23A
"Welcome" surface (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMAT→
26A
Beam of sunshine (3)
Starts with R, ends with YRAY→
27A
Madame Tussauds sculpting material (3)
Starts with W, ends with XWAX→
28A
On edge (6)
Starts with U, ends with YUNEASY→
30A
"So cool!" (3)
Starts with O, ends with HOHH→
31A
Org. that's interested in your baggage (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATSA→
34A
Etail rating system (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSTAR→
35A
Org. for animal lovers (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASPCA→
37A
Baby sheep (4)
Starts with L, ends with BLAMB→
38A
"It's bedtime for me!" (15)
Starts with T, ends with YTIMETOHITTHEHAY→
42A
Word before "dating" or "dioxide" (6)
Starts with C, ends with NCARBON→
43A
They make you say "pee-yew" (5)
Starts with O, ends with SODORS→
44A
One day ___ time (3)
Starts with A, ends with AATA→
46A
Sch. hidden in "iOS update" (3)
Starts with O, ends with UOSU→
47A
Bird sounds (6)
Starts with T, ends with STWEETS→
49A
Places to pamper your pooches (7)
Starts with P, ends with SPETSPAS→
52A
"Sheesh, no need to be so strict!" (14)
Starts with C, ends with KCUTMESOMESLACK→
57A
Purple superfruit (4)
Starts with A, ends with IACAI→
58A
Outfit for some brides (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSUIT→
59A
A meeting to discuss why there are too many meetings, e.g. (5)
Starts with I, ends with YIRONY→
61A
"The best ___ plans . . ." (4)
Starts with L, ends with DLAID→
62A
Jazz singer James (4)
Starts with E, ends with AETTA→
63A
Late fees (5)
Starts with F, ends with SFINES→
64A
First 24-hour news channel (3)
Starts with C, ends with NCNN→
65A
U-turn from NNW (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESSE→
66A
Art stand with three legs (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEASEL→
Down
1D
Relative of FYI (3)
Starts with P, ends with APSA→
2D
Choose (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOPT→
3D
Place for mallgoers to park (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLOT→
4D
Similar (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAKIN→
5D
Happens again (6)
Starts with R, ends with SRECURS→
6D
Food safety words (5)
Starts with U, ends with YUSEBY→
7D
___ mortal (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMERE→
8D
Close by (4)
Starts with N, ends with RNEAR→
9D
"And your point is?" (8)
Starts with O, ends with TOKSOWHAT→
10D
Finger used for pointing (5)
Starts with I, ends with XINDEX→
11D
Sound of something vanishing (4)
Starts with P, ends with FPOOF→
12D
"Naked Attraction" host Richardson (4)
Starts with A, ends with AANNA→
13D
Viewed (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSEEN→
21D
Be Kind to Animals Month (3)
Starts with M, ends with YMAY→
22D
"Pass" (3)
Starts with N, ends with HNAH→
23D
___-have items (things you've gotta get) (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMUST→
24D
Against (4)
Starts with A, ends with IANTI→
25D
Leader on the football field (11)
Starts with T, ends with NTEAMCAPTAIN→
29D
Region (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAREA→
30D
Mo. for Prime Big Deal Days (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOCT→
31D
Sierra Nevada lake (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETAHOE→
32D
"Hacks" actress Jean (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSMART→
33D
Dark, gaping pit (5)
Starts with A, ends with SABYSS→
35D
Public expressions of thanks (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSHOUTOUTS→
36D
"Let's put a ___ in it" (3)
Starts with P, ends with NPIN→
37D
A journalist might bury one (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELEDE→
39D
Convention that might make a movie predictable (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETROPE→
40D
Gets really mentally stuck on something (8)
Starts with O, ends with SOBSESSES→
41D
"What's new with you?" (8)
Starts with H, ends with EHOWSLIFE→
44D
Advanced H.S. math class (6)
Starts with A, ends with CAPCALC→
45D
Froot Loops' bird mascot (6)
Starts with T, ends with NTOUCAN→
47D
Profs' helpers (3)
Starts with T, ends with STAS→
50D
Strike down (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESMITE→
51D
Org. for animal lovers (4)
Starts with P, ends with APETA→
53D
Pretty so-so (3)
Starts with M, ends with DMID→
54D
Vegas hotel named for a type of song (4)
Starts with A, ends with AARIA→
55D
Downsides (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCONS→
56D
One might be taken in protest (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKNEE→
60D
Fashion inits. (3)
Starts with Y, ends with LYSL→
How to solve the USA Today Crossword
Fill the grid so every Across and Down answer matches its clue. The title explains the theme. Our answer pages list every clue with its answer behind a reveal button, and link to an individual page for each clue.
Want the full method? Read our USA Today Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the USA Today Crossword on the hub.
USA Today Crossword tips for tomorrow
- The title is the theme. USA Today titles describe the theme plainly. Reread it once you have one long answer.
- Expect modern references. Agard's puzzles feature recent music, film and internet culture more than most newspapers.
- Solve the short fill fast. Difficulty is even all week, so three- and four-letter crossings are reliable gimmes.
Done for today? Try LA Times Crossword, Newsday Crossword, NYT Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous USA Today Crossword puzzles
USA Today Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the USA Today Crossword for October 12, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: "The ___ Express" (POLAR); "That ain't happening" (UMNO); Bitter beers (IPAS).
Who edits the USA Today Crossword?+
Erik Agard has edited the USA Today Crossword since 2020.
Where can I find past USA Today Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all answers and a page per clue.
