USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 4, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
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
1A
Verge of transition (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCUSP→
5A
Like feet in a pool, usually (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBARE→
9A
Teaser before a drop (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPROMO→
14A
"Breathing Lessons" author Tyler (4)
Starts with A, ends with EANNE→
15A
Soccer legend Morgan (4)
Starts with A, ends with XALEX→
16A
Enticed (5)
Starts with L, ends with DLURED→
17A
Sections under profile pics (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBIOS→
18A
Animal that burps methane (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGOAT→
19A
"Enough, you win!" (5)
Starts with U, ends with EUNCLE→
20A
Scenic stop on a mountain drive (12)
Starts with L, ends with TLOOKOUTPOINT→
23A
Molecule that aids digestion (6)
Starts with E, ends with EENZYME→
24A
Tedious task (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSLOG→
25A
"How relaxing!" (3)
Starts with A, ends with HAAH→
28A
U-turn from NNW (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESSE→
29A
". . . the list goes on" (3)
Starts with E, ends with CETC→
31A
Total beginner (6)
Starts with N, ends with ENEWBIE→
33A
Playing gigs in many cities (6)
Starts with O, ends with RONTOUR→
36A
Like fingers after eating fries (4)
Starts with O, ends with YOILY→
37A
Become really confused (11)
Starts with L, ends with TLOSETHEPLOT→
40A
Radar screen image (4)
Starts with B, ends with PBLIP→
42A
Stock units (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSHARES→
43A
Rental contracts with end dates (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLEASES→
46A
"Lion" actor Patel (3)
Starts with D, ends with VDEV→
47A
One circuit of a racetrack (3)
Starts with L, ends with PLAP→
50A
Road repair goop (3)
Starts with T, ends with RTAR→
51A
Peru's largest city (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALIMA→
54A
Size category for women under 5-foot-4 (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPETITE→
56A
Plant part in some lozenges (12)
Starts with L, ends with TLICORICEROOT→
58A
Injection for "11 lines" (5)
Starts with B, ends with XBOTOX→
61A
Title for a list of reminders (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTODO→
62A
Rustic lodges (4)
Starts with I, ends with SINNS→
63A
Bat mitzvah officiant (5)
Starts with R, ends with IRABBI→
64A
Norway's largest city (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOSLO→
65A
Horn warning (4)
Starts with B, ends with PBEEP→
66A
"Can I take your ___?" (5)
Starts with O, ends with RORDER→
67A
Smell really bad (4)
Starts with R, ends with KREEK→
68A
Disney character who can manipulate snow (4)
Starts with E, ends with AELSA→
Down
1D
Ethernet connectors (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCABLES→
2D
Labor groups that negotiate contracts (6)
Starts with U, ends with SUNIONS→
3D
Catch some Z's (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESNOOZE→
4D
Like a fly in a closed car (5)
Starts with P, ends with YPESKY→
5D
Loaf sliced for crostini (8)
Starts with B, ends with EBAGUETTE→
6D
Gazillions (4)
Starts with A, ends with TALOT→
7D
Gathers crops (5)
Starts with R, ends with SREAPS→
8D
Praise to the heavens (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEXTOL→
9D
Take a deep dive (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPLUNGE→
10D
Littlest in a litter (4)
Starts with R, ends with TRUNT→
11D
Middle-earth monster (3)
Starts with O, ends with CORC→
12D
Name of 40% of the Spice Girls (3)
Starts with M, ends with LMEL→
13D
Glorifying poem (3)
Starts with O, ends with EODE→
21D
Prophetic signs (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOMENS→
22D
Particle in space plasma (3)
Starts with I, ends with NION→
25D
Not much at all (4)
Starts with A, ends with TABIT→
26D
Feel crummy (3)
Starts with A, ends with LAIL→
27D
"Pay attention!" (3)
Starts with H, ends with YHEY→
30D
Portable camping beds (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCOTS→
32D
Tries to win over (4)
Starts with W, ends with SWOOS→
33D
"I'm such a klutz!" (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOOPS→
34D
"Lemme think . . ." (3)
Starts with U, ends with HUHH→
35D
Enjoy a book (4)
Starts with R, ends with DREAD→
37D
"I don't believe you!" (4)
Starts with L, ends with RLIAR→
38D
Sous-chef's co-worker (8)
Starts with P, ends with KPREPCOOK→
39D
Flood control barrier (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELEVEE→
40D
Letters on a deli menu (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBLT→
41D
"Mulan" singer Salonga (3)
Starts with L, ends with ALEA→
44D
Magic potion (6)
Starts with E, ends with RELIXIR→
45D
Annotation after a quoted typo (3)
Starts with S, ends with CSIC→
47D
"Hello" singer Richie (6)
Starts with L, ends with LLIONEL→
48D
Makes things right (6)
Starts with A, ends with SATONES→
49D
Place for a puppy pedicure (6)
Starts with P, ends with APETSPA→
52D
What spins a ceiling fan (5)
Starts with M, ends with RMOTOR→
53D
Cropped up (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAROSE→
55D
Blackfeet Nation, e.g. (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETRIBE→
56D
Place for a huggie hoop (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELOBE→
57D
Doing nothing (4)
Starts with I, ends with EIDLE→
58D
"My guy!" (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBRO→
59D
Tool by a boathouse (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROAR→
60D
"Will send deets soon" (3)
Starts with T, ends with DTBD→
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 4, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Verge of transition (CUSP); Like feet in a pool, usually (BARE); Teaser before a drop (PROMO).
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.
