USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 17, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across36
Down40
DaySaturday
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
5A
Charitable donations (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALMS→
9A
Character deficit (4)
Starts with F, ends with WFLAW→
13A
Window shopping purchase? (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPANE→
14A
Line of apparel? (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSEAM→
15A
"The Diary of Elon Lust" artist Trouw (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELISE→
16A
___ mater (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALMA→
17A
___ dumpling (dim sum dish) (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTARO→
18A
Use the tub (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBATHE→
19A
Growing suspicions, say? (12)
Starts with S, ends with TSEEDSOFDOUBT→
22A
Detroit-founded record label (6)
Starts with M, ends with NMOTOWN→
23A
"___ about time!" (3)
Starts with I, ends with SITS→
24A
"See, I did it!" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATADA→
28A
"Sweet Caroline" singer Diamond (4)
Starts with N, ends with LNEIL→
30A
"Enjoy yourselves!" (7)
Starts with H, ends with NHAVEFUN→
32A
State sch. in Athens (3)
Starts with U, ends with AUGA→
35A
Continent with the most languages (4)
Starts with A, ends with AASIA→
37A
Small landmass surrounded by water (5)
Starts with I, ends with TISLET→
38A
Google devices that control heating and cooling (15)
Starts with N, ends with SNESTTHERMOSTATS→
42A
Informal greeting (4)
Starts with H, ends with AHIYA→
43A
Home to Kahului Airport (4)
Starts with M, ends with IMAUI→
44A
Playfully shy (3)
Starts with C, ends with YCOY→
45A
"Now, what's cooler than being cool? (___!)" (OutKast lyric) (7)
Starts with I, ends with DICECOLD→
49A
"___girl!" ("Nicely done!") (4)
Starts with A, ends with AATTA→
51A
Leaves home, perhaps? (8)
Starts with P, ends with APOTOFTEA→
53A
Page layout (6)
Starts with F, ends with TFORMAT→
57A
They funnel traffic onto highways (11)
Starts with F, ends with SFEEDERROADS→
63A
Spanish for "but" (4)
Starts with P, ends with OPERO→
64A
Run ___ (4)
Starts with A, ends with KAMOK→
65A
"Save Me" singer Mann (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAIMEE→
67A
Many a lighthouse location (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECAPE→
68A
Bothersome (5)
Starts with P, ends with YPESTY→
69A
Breather (4)
Starts with R, ends with TREST→
70A
Founded (Abbr.) (4)
Starts with E, ends with DESTD→
Down
1D
Muscle twitch (5)
Starts with S, ends with MSPASM→
2D
Not neo- (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPALEO→
3D
Like needs that aren't satisfied (5)
Starts with U, ends with TUNMET→
4D
"Exactly right!" (6)
Starts with D, ends with NDEADON→
5D
Flabbergast (8)
Starts with A, ends with HASTONISH→
6D
Table extension (4)
Starts with L, ends with FLEAF→
7D
___ Gras (5)
Starts with M, ends with IMARDI→
8D
Like an ideal bocce court (6)
Starts with S, ends with HSMOOTH→
9D
Like Florida, among the U.S. states (8)
Starts with F, ends with TFLATTEST→
10D
On fire (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLIT→
11D
Volcanic residue (3)
Starts with A, ends with HASH→
12D
Minuscule (3)
Starts with W, ends with EWEE→
15D
Subside (3)
Starts with E, ends with BEBB→
20D
___pants (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSWEAT→
21D
Four-time winner of the Women's World Cup (3)
Starts with U, ends with AUSA→
25D
Insurance company with an animal mascot (5)
Starts with A, ends with CAFLAC→
26D
Because of (5)
Starts with D, ends with ODUETO→
27D
Not sitting well? (5)
Starts with A, ends with YANTSY→
29D
"I definitely read our book club book," perhaps (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELIE→
31D
Guest room occupant (7)
Starts with V, ends with RVISITOR→
32D
This is so not cool! (5)
Starts with U, ends with PUNHIP→
33D
Insurance company with an animal mascot (5)
Starts with G, ends with OGEICO→
34D
So far (5)
Starts with A, ends with TASYET→
36D
Upper limb (3)
Starts with A, ends with MARM→
39D
One might be in a soft or hard shell (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTACO→
40D
Barnyard bleat (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMAA→
41D
In the lead (8)
Starts with O, ends with TOUTFRONT→
46D
Pitchy, perhaps (6)
Starts with O, ends with YOFFKEY→
47D
Letters next to cellphone bars (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELTE→
48D
Like Cookie Monster's voice, compared to Elmo's (6)
Starts with D, ends with RDEEPER→
50D
Identity represented by a sunset-colored flag (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAROACE→
52D
"Rumour Has It" singer (5)
Starts with A, ends with EADELE→
54D
Some parents, informally (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMAMAS→
55D
Bring home a furry friend (5)
Starts with A, ends with TADOPT→
56D
Expressed displeasure (5)
Starts with T, ends with DTSKED→
58D
Taylor Swift's "The ___ Tour" (4)
Starts with E, ends with SERAS→
59D
It runs in tapping season (3)
Starts with S, ends with PSAP→
60D
Result that may lead to penalty kicks (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETIE→
61D
Chats, but not IRL (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIMS→
62D
Pickleball divider (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNET→
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 17, 2026?+
76 clues: 36 Across and 40 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Tater (SPUD); Charitable donations (ALMS); Character deficit (FLAW).
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.
