USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 8, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
DayThursday
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
Like food that's *chef's kiss* (5)
Starts with T, ends with YTASTY→
6A
Degs. for some designers (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMFAS→
10A
Nonverbal greeting (3)
Starts with D, ends with PDAP→
13A
Pizza size for a big party (10)
Starts with E, ends with EEXTRALARGE→
15A
Comedian Dommett (4)
Starts with J, ends with LJOEL→
16A
Art movement with a physical medium? (10)
Starts with C, ends with NCLAYMATION→
17A
Currency that's color-coded based on its worth (4)
Starts with E, ends with OEURO→
18A
"What's up?" (3)
Starts with H, ends with YHEY→
19A
Tiny bug (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMITE→
20A
Father figure? (6)
Starts with D, ends with DDADBOD→
22A
"Wow, you ___ kidding!" (6)
Starts with W, ends with TWERENT→
24A
Acronym typed before sharing a cool new fact (3)
Starts with T, ends with LTIL→
25A
Automobile (3)
Starts with C, ends with RCAR→
26A
"Hurry up, already!" (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDOIT→
28A
Clean Air Act org. (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEPA→
31A
Pots and ___ (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPANS→
32A
Element of pure awesomeness (9)
Starts with W, ends with RWOWFACTOR→
34A
"Legally Blonde" prequel (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELLE→
35A
Some locked boxes in escape rooms (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSAFES→
36A
Gave temporarily (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLENT→
37A
One of an Olympic trio for Eileen Gu (9)
Starts with G, ends with LGOLDMEDAL→
39A
Like the Nissan Cube (4)
Starts with B, ends with YBOXY→
40A
Workout spot (3)
Starts with G, ends with MGYM→
41A
Great Barrier ___ (4)
Starts with R, ends with FREEF→
42A
Sinus doc (3)
Starts with E, ends with TENT→
43A
Quarterback Manning (3)
Starts with E, ends with IELI→
45A
Component of some cauldron decorations (6)
Starts with D, ends with EDRYICE→
48A
"If everything goes perfectly . . ." (6)
Starts with A, ends with TATBEST→
51A
Only U.S. state name that starts with two vowels (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIOWA→
52A
"I did NOT need to know that" (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITMI→
55A
Paint layer (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCOAT→
56A
"Everything okay?" (10)
Starts with A, ends with DAREYOUGOOD→
59A
Shapes of rainbows (4)
Starts with A, ends with SARCS→
60A
Direct and serious (10)
Starts with N, ends with ENONONSENSE→
61A
Fountain pen liquid (3)
Starts with I, ends with KINK→
62A
Brand of canvas sneakers (4)
Starts with K, ends with SKEDS→
63A
Sends out (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEMITS→
Down
1D
Silicon Valley industry, for short (4)
Starts with T, ends with HTECH→
2D
Wheel bar (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAXLE→
3D
Don't go (4)
Starts with S, ends with YSTAY→
4D
"Give it a go!" (3)
Starts with T, ends with YTRY→
5D
Goes on and on (7)
Starts with Y, ends with SYAMMERS→
6D
Not glossy (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMATTE→
7D
Indirect social connection (15)
Starts with F, ends with DFRIENDOFAFRIEND→
8D
Ages ___ (3)
Starts with A, ends with OAGO→
9D
Email button (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSEND→
10D
Send back-to-back messages (10)
Starts with D, ends with TDOUBLETEXT→
11D
Prefix for "space" (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAERO→
12D
Trudge (4)
Starts with P, ends with DPLOD→
14D
Here be dragons! (4)
Starts with L, ends with RLAIR→
15D
Person serving the light side (4)
Starts with J, ends with IJEDI→
21D
Roti ingredient (4)
Starts with A, ends with AATTA→
22D
Diminished, like the moon (5)
Starts with W, ends with DWANED→
23D
Answer to the classic riddle "What gets wetter the more it dries?" (5)
Starts with T, ends with LTOWEL→
25D
"I'm busy . . . Let's talk later!" (10)
Starts with C, ends with KCALLMEBACK→
27D
What-___ (hypotheticals) (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIFS→
29D
Ginuwine hit with the lyric "ride it" (4)
Starts with P, ends with YPONY→
30D
Kehinde Wiley's field (3)
Starts with A, ends with TART→
31D
Scheme (4)
Starts with P, ends with YPLOY→
32D
Walked into the shallow end (5)
Starts with W, ends with DWADED→
34D
Easter ___ (3)
Starts with E, ends with GEGG→
35D
Visualize (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESEE→
38D
3D hospital scans (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMRIS→
39D
Unhelpful answer to "Why?" (7)
Starts with B, ends with EBECAUSE→
44D
Allows (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLETS→
46D
Toys that can go around the world (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYOYOS→
47D
"Ha! You toppled the Jenga tower!" (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIWON→
48D
Smoothie bowl berry (4)
Starts with A, ends with IACAI→
49D
Experiencing analysis paralysis (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTORN→
50D
Fail completely (4)
Starts with T, ends with KTANK→
52D
"Beloved" novelist Morrison (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITONI→
53D
Not quite all (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMOST→
54D
___ of March (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIDES→
57D
Chirashi bowl topping (3)
Starts with R, ends with EROE→
58D
Ruby or sapphire (3)
Starts with G, ends with MGEM→
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 8, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Like food that's *chef's kiss* (TASTY); Degs. for some designers (MFAS); Nonverbal greeting (DAP).
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.
