USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 9, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
DayFriday
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
"Waterloo" group that appeared on the first season of "SNL" (4)
Starts with A, ends with AABBA→
5A
Candy Crush moves (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSWAPS→
10A
"The Parent ___" (4)
Starts with T, ends with PTRAP→
14A
Ned Nickerson, to Nancy Drew (4)
Starts with B, ends with UBEAU→
15A
"Beverly Hills, 90210" star Luke (5)
Starts with P, ends with YPERRY→
16A
Sidewalk-spraying tool (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHOSE→
17A
Fringe flock (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSECT→
18A
E.T., for example (5)
Starts with A, ends with NALIEN→
19A
___ Egg (Daisy's home, in "The Great Gatsby") (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEAST→
20A
Greeting that might include a family newsletter (11)
Starts with H, ends with DHOLIDAYCARD→
23A
Anniversary year represented by tin (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTEN→
24A
Third-person pronoun (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESHE→
25A
Cantina freebie (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAGUA→
27A
___ effect (unrealistic expectations about forensic science) (3)
Starts with C, ends with ICSI→
30A
People who revered llamas (5)
Starts with I, ends with SINCAS→
34A
Fraternal ___ (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTWIN→
35A
Lock in a salon (5)
Starts with T, ends with STRESS→
37A
Rust Belt state (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOHIO→
38A
Get final say in an argument, e.g. (15)
Starts with H, ends with DHAVETHELASTWORD→
41A
___ out (barely get) (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEKE→
42A
Take a good look at (7)
Starts with E, ends with EEXAMINE→
43A
Spot to jet ski (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASEA→
44A
Arabian Peninsula country (5)
Starts with Y, ends with NYEMEN→
46A
More than peeved (3)
Starts with M, ends with DMAD→
47A
Places for lawnmowers (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSHEDS→
49A
Cupid's Greek counterpart (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEROS→
51A
"Sorry to say . . ." (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALAS→
52A
Gourmet gift basket company (13)
Starts with H, ends with DHARRYANDDAVID→
57A
Hostess snack cake (4)
Starts with H, ends with OHOHO→
58A
Total impostor (5)
Starts with F, ends with DFRAUD→
59A
"Happy Gilmore" star Sandler (4)
Starts with A, ends with MADAM→
61A
Curved line in music (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSLUR→
62A
"Under Ben Bulben" poet (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYEATS→
63A
Geeky type (4)
Starts with N, ends with DNERD→
64A
Pesters persistently (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNAGS→
65A
"___ takers?" (3)
Starts with A, ends with YANY→
66A
Poses a question (4)
Starts with A, ends with SASKS→
Down
1D
Muscles worked during planks (3)
Starts with A, ends with SABS→
2D
Spelling competition (3)
Starts with B, ends with EBEE→
3D
Pretty suite composer? (4)
Starts with B, ends with HBACH→
4D
It can correct "pitchy" vocals (8)
Starts with A, ends with EAUTOTUNE→
5D
Eurozone country (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSPAIN→
6D
Unite thermally (4)
Starts with W, ends with DWELD→
7D
Opera solo (4)
Starts with A, ends with AARIA→
8D
Rats, to cats (4)
Starts with P, ends with YPREY→
9D
Aligns (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSYNCS→
10D
"It's gonna be okay" (8)
Starts with T, ends with WTHERENOW→
11D
Street (4)
Starts with R, ends with DROAD→
12D
Eeyore, for one (3)
Starts with A, ends with SASS→
13D
Kibble consumer (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPET→
21D
"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" actor Seydoux (3)
Starts with L, ends with ALEA→
22D
Tuna tossed with shoyu (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAHI→
25D
Between naps, perhaps (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAWAKE→
26D
"Get in here!" (10)
Starts with G, ends with GGIVEMEAHUG→
27D
Peaches and ___ (5)
Starts with C, ends with MCREAM→
28D
1965 protest city (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASELMA→
29D
"My response was . . ." (5)
Starts with I, ends with DISAID→
31D
Took a position in a dispute (10)
Starts with C, ends with SCHOSESIDES→
32D
Was broadcast (5)
Starts with A, ends with DAIRED→
33D
Some fizzy drinks (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSODAS→
34D
Third-person pronoun (4)
Starts with T, ends with YTHEY→
35D
"appreciate u" (3)
Starts with T, ends with XTHX→
36D
IRS form input (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSSN→
39D
Type of saxophone for Lester Young (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTENOR→
40D
Inventor Nikola (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATESLA→
48D
"Half of my heart is in ___" (Camila Cabello lyric) (6)
Starts with H, ends with AHAVANA→
50D
Channel with "Twilight Zone" reruns (4)
Starts with S, ends with YSYFY→
51D
Tosses in (4)
Starts with A, ends with SADDS→
52D
Spanish for "hello" (4)
Starts with H, ends with AHOLA→
53D
Population density denominator (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAREA→
54D
Bread often served with curry (4)
Starts with N, ends with NNAAN→
57D
Sister channel of QVC (3)
Starts with H, ends with NHSN→
60D
Derms, e.g. (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMDS→
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 9, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: "Waterloo" group that appeared on the first season of "SNL" (ABBA); Candy Crush moves (SWAPS); "The Parent ___" (TRAP).
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.
