USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 5, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across33
Down41
DayMonday
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
On the same side in a conflict (6)
Starts with A, ends with DALLIED→
7A
Concert sound booster (3)
Starts with A, ends with PAMP→
10A
School fundraising org. (3)
Starts with P, ends with APTA→
13A
Part of a squad (10)
Starts with T, ends with RTEAMMEMBER→
15A
Meat in a Cubano (3)
Starts with H, ends with MHAM→
16A
Sweet, yogurt-based South Asian beverage (10)
Starts with M, ends with IMANGOLASSI→
17A
Streaming device with a "city" (4)
Starts with R, ends with UROKU→
18A
Like a desert's climate (4)
Starts with A, ends with DARID→
19A
Bursts of occurrences (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSPATES→
21A
Mom's partner, sometimes (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMAMA→
23A
One of four in the contiguous United States (8)
Starts with T, ends with ETIMEZONE→
25A
Internet profiles with viral images (9)
Starts with M, ends with SMEMEPAGES→
28A
Female deer (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDOE→
29A
1990 civil rights law, for short (3)
Starts with A, ends with AADA→
30A
Possible reason to wear a hat (10)
Starts with B, ends with YBADHAIRDAY→
34A
Prefix with "manage" or "behave" (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMIS→
35A
Hybrid instruments with shoulder straps (7)
Starts with K, ends with SKEYTARS→
36A
___ B. Wells (NAACP co-founder) (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIDA→
37A
Sport for the Las Vegas Aces (10)
Starts with B, ends with LBASKETBALL→
39A
Opposite of bottom (3)
Starts with T, ends with PTOP→
40A
Got some takeout (5)
Starts with A, ends with NATEIN→
41A
Permit (5)
Starts with A, ends with WALLOW→
43A
Hip replacement sites, for short (3)
Starts with O, ends with SORS→
44A
"Get me out of here!" key (3)
Starts with E, ends with CESC→
45A
Noah's ___ (3)
Starts with A, ends with KARK→
46A
Tortoise's rival in a fable (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHARE→
48A
Actor Penn (3)
Starts with K, ends with LKAL→
50A
Bonobos, e.g. (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPES→
52A
High-intensity exercise routine focused on functional movements (15)
Starts with C, ends with TCROSSFITWORKOUT→
60A
Eye part that changes size (5)
Starts with P, ends with LPUPIL→
61A
"Just us?" (9)
Starts with N, ends with ENOONEELSE→
62A
Somewhat (4)
Starts with A, ends with TABIT→
63A
Physical response to fear (9)
Starts with C, ends with TCOLDSWEAT→
Down
1D
Currently, in a text (3)
Starts with A, ends with MATM→
2D
Name hidden in "Eleanor" (3)
Starts with L, ends with ALEA→
3D
PC connection (3)
Starts with L, ends with NLAN→
4D
"Let's do it!" (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIMGAME→
5D
Angsty hip-hop genre (6)
Starts with E, ends with PEMORAP→
6D
BLT purveyor (4)
Starts with D, ends with IDELI→
7D
Core muscles (3)
Starts with A, ends with SABS→
8D
Month, in Spanish (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMES→
9D
Object that creates a rainbow (5)
Starts with P, ends with MPRISM→
10D
Software used to enhance images (11)
Starts with P, ends with RPHOTOEDITOR→
11D
Unavailable (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTAKEN→
12D
Entertain (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAMUSE→
17D
Shaving tool (5)
Starts with R, ends with RRAZOR→
20D
Spa treatments for dogs? (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPEDIS→
21D
Act as a go-between (7)
Starts with M, ends with EMEDIATE→
22D
Accumulates (7)
Starts with A, ends with SAMASSES→
23D
Presentation given on a circular red carpet (7)
Starts with T, ends with KTEDTALK→
24D
"Will do that," formally (6)
Starts with I, ends with LISHALL→
25D
African venomous snake (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMAMBA→
26D
Aid and ___ (4)
Starts with A, ends with TABET→
27D
Establishment that might host "Drag Race" viewings (6)
Starts with G, ends with RGAYBAR→
31D
"The Good Dinosaur" protagonist (4)
Starts with A, ends with OARLO→
32D
Really love (5)
Starts with A, ends with EADORE→
33D
Talks on and on and on (4)
Starts with Y, ends with SYAPS→
35D
Barbie's boyfriend (3)
Starts with K, ends with NKEN→
38D
Relaxes and hangs out (7)
Starts with K, ends with TKICKSIT→
42D
"___ Waldo?" (6)
Starts with W, ends with SWHERES→
45D
ET on TV in the 1980s (3)
Starts with A, ends with FALF→
47D
Lopsided (5)
Starts with A, ends with WASKEW→
49D
Language for Hailey Cooper in the Spider-Man video games (3)
Starts with A, ends with LASL→
50D
Nowhere to be found (4)
Starts with A, ends with LAWOL→
51D
Habitat for koi fish (4)
Starts with P, ends with DPOND→
52D
1099-NEC expert (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACPA→
53D
___ it in (gloat) (3)
Starts with R, ends with BRUB→
54D
Essie competitor (3)
Starts with O, ends with IOPI→
55D
LLC alternative (3)
Starts with I, ends with CINC→
57D
Soccer chant (3)
Starts with O, ends with EOLE→
58D
Iowa's country (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with U, ends with AUSA→
59D
Vietnamese holiday (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTET→
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 5, 2026?+
74 clues: 33 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: On the same side in a conflict (ALLIED); Concert sound booster (AMP); School fundraising org. (PTA).
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.
