USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 14, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues75
Across39
Down36
DayWednesday
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
Surrounded by (4)
Starts with A, ends with DAMID→
5A
Splash through a puddle (5)
Starts with S, ends with HSLOSH→
10A
Takeoff guess, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with DETD→
13A
___ Verde National Park (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMESA→
14A
Schroeder's instrument (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPIANO→
15A
Supermodel Banks (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATYRA→
16A
Money set aside to cover emergency expenses (10)
Starts with C, ends with RCASHBUFFER→
18A
Paper quantity (4)
Starts with R, ends with MREAM→
19A
Natural ability (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTALENT→
20A
Mogadishu's country (7)
Starts with S, ends with ASOMALIA→
22A
Peeved (5)
Starts with I, ends with DIRKED→
24A
Acting like a secret agent (6)
Starts with S, ends with GSPYING→
25A
Unwanted aquarium growth (5)
Starts with A, ends with EALGAE→
28A
___ oven (cast-iron pot) (5)
Starts with D, ends with HDUTCH→
30A
Formerly named (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENEE→
31A
Salad type (6)
Starts with C, ends with RCAESAR→
33A
"Dude . . ." (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBRO→
34A
Flower child? (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSEED→
35A
"Euphoria" network (3)
Starts with H, ends with OHBO→
36A
SoCal NBA team (10)
Starts with L, ends with SLACLIPPERS→
39A
Slithery swimmers (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEELS→
41A
"Before Gender" author Erlick (3)
Starts with E, ends with IELI→
42A
Chow down on some fries (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEAT→
43A
Mammal that's about three times faster in water than on land (5)
Starts with S, ends with HSLOTH→
45A
Social worker? (3)
Starts with A, ends with TANT→
47A
Rene who plays Frigga in the MCU (5)
Starts with R, ends with ORUSSO→
51A
Kid's parents (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGOATS→
53A
Useful gadget for international travel (7)
Starts with A, ends with RADAPTER→
55A
Queen Mab and Tinker Bell (7)
Starts with F, ends with SFAIRIES→
57A
Nonverbal assent (3)
Starts with N, ends with DNOD→
58A
"Sick!" (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRAD→
59A
Quipu user (4)
Starts with I, ends with AINCA→
60A
How students often line up (10)
Starts with S, ends with ESINGLEFILE→
63A
Minor hiccup (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSNAG→
64A
Scoville ___ (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCALE→
66A
"Tall" story (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETALE→
67A
Donkeys (5)
Starts with A, ends with SASSES→
68A
Kings, queens and twins (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBEDS→
Down
1D
Movie theater chain (3)
Starts with A, ends with CAMC→
2D
It's not part of a vegetarian diet (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMEAT→
3D
With 32-Down, "Insecure" star (4)
Starts with I, ends with AISSA→
4D
Showy flowers native to Mexico (7)
Starts with D, ends with SDAHLIAS→
5D
Spirit (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSPUNK→
6D
Hoisted (6)
Starts with L, ends with DLIFTED→
7D
Clumsy person (3)
Starts with O, ends with FOAF→
8D
Mario's Time Machine console, for short (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSNES→
9D
Star-based forecast (9)
Starts with H, ends with EHOROSCOPE→
10D
Makeup applied with a pencil (8)
Starts with E, ends with REYELINER→
11D
People learning the ropes (8)
Starts with T, ends with STRAINEES→
12D
In need of repair (7)
Starts with D, ends with DDAMAGED→
15D
Cafeteria item that might be used as a makeshift sled (4)
Starts with T, ends with YTRAY→
17D
"Stop kidding yourself" (6)
Starts with B, ends with LBEREAL→
21D
Speed limit letters (3)
Starts with M, ends with HMPH→
23D
Irish city where Guinness originated (6)
Starts with D, ends with NDUBLIN→
25D
Feels sore (5)
Starts with A, ends with SACHES→
26D
Clothing tag (5)
Starts with L, ends with LLABEL→
27D
Relating to the study of Earth (10)
Starts with G, ends with LGEOLOGICAL→
29D
Half of hex- (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITRI→
32D
See 3-Down (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERAE→
34D
Prepare a board game for play (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSETUP→
37D
Timeless literary works (8)
Starts with C, ends with SCLASSICS→
38D
Pride Month celebration with floats (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPARADE→
40D
Attic's function, often (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESTORAGE→
44D
Yes, in Japanese (3)
Starts with H, ends with IHAI→
48D
Make a concerted effort (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESTRIVE→
49D
"Signed, ___, Delivered (I'm Yours)" (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSEALED→
50D
Calls for pizza delivery, say (6)
Starts with O, ends with SORDERS→
52D
"Hedda" star Thompson (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATESSA→
54D
___ out (distributes) (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDOLES→
55D
It represents the rock in rock, paper, scissors (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFIST→
56D
"Do You Want To Build a Snowman?" singer (4)
Starts with A, ends with AANNA→
61D
Rapper Lil ___ X (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNAS→
62D
Battery-powered key (3)
Starts with F, ends with BFOB→
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 14, 2026?+
75 clues: 39 Across and 36 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Surrounded by (AMID); Splash through a puddle (SLOSH); Takeoff guess, for short (ETD).
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.
