USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 7, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across41
Down37
DayWednesday
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
Online forum admins, for short (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMODS→
9A
Speck in the sea (4)
Starts with I, ends with EISLE→
13A
Bitter-smelling (5)
Starts with A, ends with DACRID→
15A
Hurdle for an aspiring atty. (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLSAT→
16A
Ready to receive a pass (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOPEN→
17A
"Nifty!" (5)
Starts with N, ends with ONEATO→
18A
"Just doing my best" (4)
Starts with I, ends with YITRY→
19A
Spellcasting tool (4)
Starts with W, ends with DWAND→
20A
Occasion for a tabletop meeting? (9)
Starts with G, ends with TGAMENIGHT→
22A
Spots for some home gardens (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYARDS→
23A
Actor de Armas (3)
Starts with A, ends with AANA→
24A
___ tartare (alliterative fish dish) (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATUNA→
25A
First-class (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAONE→
26A
"More info to come later" (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with T, ends with DTBD→
27A
Ballet garment (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTUTU→
29A
Prof's helpers (3)
Starts with T, ends with STAS→
32A
Scuffles (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMELEES→
35A
Portmanteau for a content creator who might whisper in videos (8)
Starts with A, ends with TASMRTIST→
37A
Midterms or finals (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEXAMS→
38A
Either . in :-) (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEYE→
39A
Fear-inducing (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEERIE→
40A
One may be lukewarm (8)
Starts with R, ends with ERESPONSE→
42A
Approval (6)
Starts with A, ends with TASSENT→
43A
Educated guess (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEST→
44A
Performs like Sexyy Red (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRAPS→
45A
"___ Stuff" (Donna Summer hit) (3)
Starts with H, ends with THOT→
46A
Engage in an IRL fantasy battle (4)
Starts with L, ends with PLARP→
48A
End of a walkie-talkie message (4)
Starts with O, ends with ROVER→
50A
___ pen (3)
Starts with G, ends with LGEL→
53A
Like fish in need of scraping (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSCALY→
55A
"Swear!" (9)
Starts with P, ends with EPROMISEME→
57A
In it for the long ___ (4)
Starts with H, ends with LHAUL→
58A
Prize grabber in an arcade (4)
Starts with C, ends with WCLAW→
59A
"Leave this instant!" (5)
Starts with G, ends with WGONOW→
60A
"Thus . . ." (4)
Starts with E, ends with OERGO→
61A
Fine-tune (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHONE→
62A
Country where soup joumou is enjoyed (5)
Starts with H, ends with IHAITI→
63A
Like a fireplace in need of cleaning (4)
Starts with A, ends with YASHY→
64A
Apple device whose smallest iteration, ironically, wasn't the Nano (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIPOD→
65A
Baobabs or banyans (5)
Starts with T, ends with STREES→
Down
1D
"One Piece," e.g. (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMANGA→
2D
Atlantic or Pacific (5)
Starts with O, ends with NOCEAN→
3D
Genre for "The Pitt" or "The Crown" (5)
Starts with D, ends with ADRAMA→
4D
Location (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESITE→
5D
Set straight? (5)
Starts with A, ends with NALIGN→
6D
"I need to know the answer now" (15)
Starts with I, ends with OISTHATAYESORANO→
7D
Corner store (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMART→
8D
Pigpen (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
9D
Des Moinesian or Davenporter (5)
Starts with I, ends with NIOWAN→
10D
Fifth wheel? (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESPARETIRE→
11D
Offer temporarily (4)
Starts with L, ends with DLEND→
12D
Brings to a close (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENDS→
14D
"You have nothing to apologize for" (11)
Starts with D, ends with YDONTBESORRY→
21D
Birth control options, for short (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIUDS→
22D
"I absolutely agree!" (12)
Starts with Y, ends with TYOURESORIGHT→
25D
Cash source (3)
Starts with A, ends with MATM→
26D
Short-term employee (4)
Starts with T, ends with PTEMP→
28D
Function (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUSE→
30D
"C ___ crossword" (4)
Starts with A, ends with NASIN→
31D
Editor's "leave this" (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSTET→
32D
___ mortals (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMERE→
33D
Old flames (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEXES→
34D
Vindication for a comeback victor (9)
Starts with L, ends with HLASTLAUGH→
36D
Try out (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTEST→
38D
Sixth sense, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with PESP→
41D
Take an afternoon rest (3)
Starts with N, ends with PNAP→
42D
*clears throat* (4)
Starts with A, ends with MAHEM→
47D
Metallic mixture (5)
Starts with A, ends with YALLOY→
49D
Promised (5)
Starts with V, ends with DVOWED→
50D
Wish granter (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGENIE→
51D
Be theatrical (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEMOTE→
52D
F1 driver Hamilton (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLEWIS→
53D
___ butter (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASHEA→
54D
Pixar movie whose soundtrack includes "Life Is a Highway" (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCARS→
55D
"Ice cube dropping into water" sound (4)
Starts with P, ends with PPLOP→
56D
Skyrocket (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSOAR→
58D
Ho ___ Minh City (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 7, 2026?+
78 clues: 41 Across and 37 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Online forum admins, for short (MODS); Goals (AIMS); Speck in the sea (ISLE).
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.
