USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 18, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across37
Down37
DaySunday
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
4A
Baby buggy? (5)
Starts with L, ends with ALARVA→
9A
"___ Gotta Have It" (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSHES→
13A
TV explorer (4)
Starts with D, ends with ADORA→
15A
Pandemonium (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCHAOS→
16A
Layer of paint (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCOAT→
17A
19A
___-bitty (4)
Starts with I, ends with YITTY→
20A
Changes the subject, perhaps? (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEDITS→
21A
Passover ritual (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSEDER→
23A
I've got your number! (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with T, ends with LTEL→
24A
Renovates (6)
Starts with R, ends with SREDOES→
26A
Soy sauce alternative (6)
Starts with T, ends with ITAMARI→
28A
Some undergrad degrees (3)
Starts with B, ends with SBAS→
29A
Neon garments for crossing guards (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVESTS→
33A
Rolled corn chip brand (5)
Starts with T, ends with STAKIS→
34A
Had a big fight (7)
Starts with F, ends with TFELLOUT→
36A
___-cute (rom-com trope) (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMEET→
37A
California Eagle owner-editor who foiled a KKK plot and ran for U.S. vice president (13)
Starts with C, ends with SCHARLOTTABASS→
40A
Very damp crawl space? (4)
Starts with P, ends with LPOOL→
41A
Dangers (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPERILS→
42A
Dogs and cats, but not puppies and kittens (6)
Starts with A, ends with SADULTS→
45A
Like stags and roosters (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMALE→
46A
Many a wall flower? (3)
Starts with A, ends with TART→
49A
Parts of courses (7)
Starts with L, ends with SLESSONS→
51A
Stew made with dal and tamarind (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSAMBAR→
53A
"Firstly . . ." (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
54A
Floor plan sections (5)
Starts with R, ends with SROOMS→
57A
Like the joke "What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta!" (5)
Starts with C, ends with YCORNY→
58A
Face coverings (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMASKS→
60A
62A
Friend, in Spanish (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAMIGO→
63A
Radiate (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEMIT→
64A
"The Price of ___" (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSALT→
65A
Matching groups (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSETS→
66A
Skip it! (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROPE→
67A
___ Moines, IA (3)
Starts with D, ends with SDES→
Down
1D
Part of speech of "truly" (6)
Starts with A, ends with BADVERB→
2D
"I don't know!" (6)
Starts with N, ends with ANOIDEA→
3D
"Star Wars" robots (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDROIDS→
4D
TV type (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLCD→
5D
Exfoliant ingredients, for short (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAHAS→
6D
Party with kandi bracelets (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERAVE→
7D
Null and ___ (4)
Starts with V, ends with DVOID→
8D
That's useful! (5)
Starts with A, ends with TASSET→
9D
The S in STEM (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with S, ends with ISCI→
10D
Some unpopular opinions (8)
Starts with H, ends with SHOTTAKES→
11D
Filling stations? (8)
Starts with E, ends with SEATERIES→
12D
One might be paid to change the locks? (7)
Starts with S, ends with TSTYLIST→
14D
Palo ___, CA (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALTO→
18D
Letter sign-off (6)
Starts with A, ends with RASEVER→
22D
Pet rodent (3)
Starts with R, ends with TRAT→
25D
Peddle (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSELL→
27D
Some parents (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMAMAS→
30D
Pig food (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSLOP→
31D
Sacred clan symbol (5)
Starts with T, ends with MTOTEM→
32D
Kama ___ (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASUTRA→
34D
Takes a tumble (5)
Starts with F, ends with SFALLS→
35D
Word yelled before a coin flip (5)
Starts with T, ends with STAILS→
37D
Spy's moniker (8)
Starts with C, ends with ECODENAME→
38D
Take care of someone's place (8)
Starts with H, ends with THOUSESIT→
39D
It lightens things up (6)
Starts with B, ends with HBLEACH→
40D
Grapefruit cocktails (7)
Starts with P, ends with SPALOMAS→
44D
Word before "Caps" and "Balls" (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSNO→
46D
In another country (6)
Starts with A, ends with DABROAD→
47D
Irritate (6)
Starts with R, ends with ERANKLE→
48D
Lovers' meetups (6)
Starts with T, ends with STRYSTS→
50D
Not drunk (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSOBER→
52D
Sounds from stock characters? (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMOOS→
55D
Officewide email (4)
Starts with M, ends with OMEMO→
56D
Piece of paper for parental permission (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSLIP→
59D
Metric units of weight (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with K, ends with SKGS→
61D
4G ___ (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELTE→
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 18, 2026?+
74 clues: 37 Across and 37 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: "So?" (AND); Baby buggy? (LARVA); "___ Gotta Have It" (SHES).
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.
