USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 3, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
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
1A
Glob in mashed potatoes (4)
Starts with L, ends with PLUMP→
5A
You're reading one now (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECLUE→
9A
Totally bummed (4)
Starts with G, ends with MGLUM→
13A
Not chemically reactive (5)
Starts with I, ends with TINERT→
15A
___ a bell (sounded familiar) (4)
Starts with R, ends with GRANG→
16A
___ Bowl (stadium in Pasadena) (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROSE→
17A
Not that important (5)
Starts with M, ends with RMINOR→
18A
Prefix for "biography" (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAUTO→
19A
Help commit a crime (4)
Starts with A, ends with TABET→
20A
"We're nowhere near done!" (14)
Starts with I, ends with RITSFARFROMOVER→
23A
Bubble ___ (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
24A
"___ makes everything betta" (cheesy pun) (4)
Starts with F, ends with AFETA→
25A
Unreturnable serve (3)
Starts with A, ends with EACE→
26A
Questionable (4)
Starts with I, ends with YIFFY→
27A
Reindeer features (7)
Starts with A, ends with SANTLERS→
31A
Video gaming pioneer (5)
Starts with A, ends with IATARI→
34A
CT scan alternative (3)
Starts with M, ends with IMRI→
35A
Aunt, in Spanish (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATIA→
36A
"Too much invested to stop now" rationale (15)
Starts with S, ends with YSUNKCOSTFALLACY→
41A
West Coast winter setting (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPST→
42A
Perspective, for short (3)
Starts with P, ends with VPOV→
43A
Desert havens (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOASES→
44A
Clipped, like a sheep (7)
Starts with S, ends with DSHEARED→
47A
Sound of something landing (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTHUD→
49A
"The Phantom of the Opera" star Chaney (3)
Starts with L, ends with NLON→
50A
Color tones (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHUES→
51A
Electric guitar hookup (3)
Starts with A, ends with PAMP→
54A
Question before an evening meal (14)
Starts with W, ends with RWHATSFORDINNER→
58A
Dove calls (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCOOS→
59A
Deserve (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEARN→
60A
Bird on U.S. currency (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEAGLE→
61A
Car horn's sound (4)
Starts with H, ends with KHONK→
62A
Campaign assistant (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAIDE→
63A
___ up (agitates) (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRILES→
64A
Creative thought (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIDEA→
65A
Toboggan, e.g. (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSLED→
66A
___ Sandwiches (fast-casual banh mi chain) (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLEES→
Down
1D
Put restrictions on (5)
Starts with L, ends with TLIMIT→
2D
Form an alliance (5)
Starts with U, ends with EUNITE→
3D
Group that hosts an annual CultureQuest competition (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMENSA→
4D
University instructor, for short (4)
Starts with P, ends with FPROF→
5D
Cunning (6)
Starts with C, ends with YCRAFTY→
6D
"Jurassic World: Dominion" actor Dern (5)
Starts with L, ends with ALAURA→
7D
"Do ___ others . . ." (4)
Starts with U, ends with OUNTO→
8D
Extreme self-centeredness (8)
Starts with E, ends with AEGOMANIA→
9D
Rocky surface (6)
Starts with G, ends with LGRAVEL→
10D
Place for an earring (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELOBE→
11D
___-friendly (4)
Starts with U, ends with RUSER→
12D
Got together (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMET→
14D
Website visits are a measure of it (7)
Starts with T, ends with CTRAFFIC→
21D
WNBA whistle blower (3)
Starts with R, ends with FREF→
22D
LGBTQ+ History Month (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOCT→
27D
Puppy's barking sound (3)
Starts with A, ends with FARF→
28D
GPS predictions (4)
Starts with E, ends with SETAS→
29D
Sushi ingredient (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERICE→
30D
Puts into words (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSAYS→
31D
Royal symbols in some hieroglyphs (4)
Starts with A, ends with SASPS→
32D
Rear end (4)
Starts with T, ends with HTUSH→
33D
Poker stake (4)
Starts with A, ends with EANTE→
34D
"Daria" network (3)
Starts with M, ends with VMTV→
37D
Where cruise ships operate (8)
Starts with O, ends with SOPENSEAS→
38D
Landscaping roll (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSOD→
39D
More awful (7)
Starts with L, ends with RLOUSIER→
40D
Young chap (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLAD→
45D
U.S. state with the longest coastline (6)
Starts with A, ends with AALASKA→
46D
Biodegrade (3)
Starts with R, ends with TROT→
47D
Rotated (6)
Starts with T, ends with DTURNED→
48D
"___ be better off . . ." (3)
Starts with H, ends with DHED→
50D
Crowd of people (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHORDE→
51D
One of four inside a square (5)
Starts with A, ends with EANGLE→
52D
Chaotic fight (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMELEE→
53D
Full-court ___ (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPRESS→
54D
Timber, e.g. (4)
Starts with W, ends with DWOOD→
55D
Sharpen (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHONE→
56D
Epic ___ (4)
Starts with F, ends with LFAIL→
57D
Get exactly right (4)
Starts with N, ends with LNAIL→
58D
The Bears, on scoreboards (3)
Starts with C, ends with ICHI→
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 3, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Glob in mashed potatoes (LUMP); You're reading one now (CLUE); Totally bummed (GLUM).
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.
