USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 2, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
DayFriday
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
Narrative shape (3)
Starts with A, ends with CARC→
4A
Religious subgroup (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSECT→
8A
Pals who might wear matching necklaces (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBFFS→
12A
"The Golden Girls" actress Arthur (3)
Starts with B, ends with ABEA→
13A
Alabama city in civil rights history (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASELMA→
14A
Hoedown seat, maybe (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBALE→
15A
Influencer group challenging aging stereotypes (14)
Starts with S, ends with DSILVERFOXSQUAD→
18A
Governor's office staffer (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAIDE→
19A
Earn after taxes (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNET→
20A
Present day? (Abbr.) (4)
Starts with X, ends with SXMAS→
22A
NYC mayor often seen volunteering (7)
Starts with M, ends with IMAMDANI→
25A
___-AFTRA (3)
Starts with S, ends with GSAG→
27A
"hey wya?" (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
28A
Eco-conscious org. (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEPA→
29A
Home for many birds (4)
Starts with N, ends with TNEST→
31A
Threw out (6)
Starts with T, ends with DTOSSED→
33A
Futomaki wrapper (4)
Starts with N, ends with INORI→
35A
Nile valley native (6)
Starts with N, ends with NNUBIAN→
37A
Chappell Roan hit about "a special place / where boys and girls can all be queens" (12)
Starts with P, ends with BPINKPONYCLUB→
41A
Tidy up (6)
Starts with N, ends with NNEATEN→
42A
"Stranger Things" character who disappears after a pool party (4)
Starts with B, ends with BBARB→
45A
Talks back (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSASSES→
48A
Bath set item (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSOAP→
51A
Promise-to-pay note (3)
Starts with I, ends with UIOU→
52A
Sportage maker (3)
Starts with K, ends with AKIA→
53A
'60s psychedelic (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLSD→
55A
___ Field (Chicago ballpark) (7)
Starts with W, ends with YWRIGLEY→
57A
Opera highlight (4)
Starts with A, ends with AARIA→
59A
Bit of graduation garb (3)
Starts with C, ends with PCAP→
61A
"Finding Nemo" habitat (4)
Starts with R, ends with FREEF→
62A
"Burnin' for You" band (14)
Starts with B, ends with TBLUEOYSTERCULT→
67A
"Heard!" (5)
Starts with N, ends with DNOTED→
68A
Call for help? (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSOS→
69A
It's taken in protest (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKNEE→
70A
Out of cash (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBROKE→
71A
Vietnamese Lunar New Year (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTET→
72A
Leader of the Norse Aesir (4)
Starts with O, ends with NODIN→
Down
1D
Crunch targets (3)
Starts with A, ends with SABS→
2D
Camping retailer (3)
Starts with R, ends with IREI→
3D
Seafood appetizer (8)
Starts with C, ends with ICALAMARI→
4D
Beyond calm (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESERENE→
5D
North Pole helper (3)
Starts with E, ends with FELF→
6D
"Be real" (4)
Starts with C, ends with NCMON→
7D
They might be e-filed (5)
Starts with T, ends with STAXES→
8D
Cuisine in KC or K-Town (3)
Starts with B, ends with QBBQ→
10D
"___ . . . on the side of my face" ("Clue" meme) (6)
Starts with F, ends with SFLAMES→
11D
Tranquil (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESEDATE→
13D
SUV alternative (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSEDAN→
16D
YouTube upload, for short (3)
Starts with V, ends with DVID→
17D
Unchanging (6)
Starts with S, ends with CSTATIC→
22D
"It's Raining ___" (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMEN→
24D
"False!" (5)
Starts with I, ends with TISNOT→
26D
Intention (4)
Starts with G, ends with LGOAL→
30D
Sources of earworms (5)
Starts with T, ends with STUNES→
32D
Awards season slight (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSNUB→
34D
Cozy lodging spots (4)
Starts with I, ends with SINNS→
36D
At this point (5)
Starts with B, ends with WBYNOW→
38D
Lowermost boat part (4)
Starts with K, ends with LKEEL→
39D
You might need one to get into a speakeasy (8)
Starts with P, ends with EPASSCODE→
40D
The ACLU created the first recorded large-scale one (8)
Starts with B, ends with DBAILFUND→
43D
Tiny eggs on a sushi roll (3)
Starts with R, ends with EROE→
44D
Purchase (3)
Starts with B, ends with YBUY→
45D
Sublime genre (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASKA→
46D
Site where you can rent a whole house (6)
Starts with A, ends with BAIRBNB→
47D
Seafarer (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSAILOR→
49D
Really captivate (6)
Starts with A, ends with TARREST→
50D
Stardew Valley fishing spot (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPIER→
54D
Part of a week (3)
Starts with D, ends with YDAY→
56D
Sticky-footed lizard (5)
Starts with G, ends with OGECKO→
58D
Prefix with "fill" or "save" (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAUTO→
60D
"Hey . . . hey, you!" (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPSST→
63D
Shriek that rhymes with "shriek" (3)
Starts with E, ends with KEEK→
64D
Digit visible in sandals (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETOE→
65D
Luau souvenir (3)
Starts with L, ends with ILEI→
66D
Bowling pin count (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTEN→
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 2, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Narrative shape (ARC); Religious subgroup (SECT); Pals who might wear matching necklaces (BFFS).
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.
