WSJ Crossword hints and answers for August 12, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
TitleTribal Tunes
Today’s WSJ 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
Calculating (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSLY→
4A
They’re hit with a crunch (3)
Starts with A, ends with SABS→
7A
Unhelpful response to “You’re muted” (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAMI→
10A
Where racers retire? (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPIT→
13A
Princess’s irritant, in a tale (3)
Starts with P, ends with APEA→
14A
Like Steven Wright’s comedy (7)
Starts with D, ends with NDEADPAN→
16A
Men’s body spray brand (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAXE→
17A
“How frustrating!” (3)
Starts with U, ends with HUGH→
18A
Joke toy of 1975 (7)
Starts with P, ends with KPETROCK→
19A
TV home of the “Five-Timers Club” (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSNL→
20A
The White Stripes and the Black Keys, e.g. (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDUOS→
22A
Antelope with lyre-shaped horns (5)
Starts with N, ends with ANYALA→
23A
Bibliography abbr. (4)
Starts with E, ends with LETAL→
24A
Whence colonists came (13)
Starts with M, ends with YMOTHERCOUNTRY→
27A
Jacob gave him bread and pottage (4)
Starts with E, ends with UESAU→
28A
Cheerful cries (4)
Starts with Y, ends with SYAYS→
29A
Noted feature of Frank Sinatra (9)
Starts with B, ends with SBABYBLUES→
35A
X, sometimes (3)
Starts with C, ends with ICHI→
38A
Affaire de coeur (5)
Starts with A, ends with RAMOUR→
39A
Craft brew initials (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIPA→
42A
Santa, in Salisbury (15)
Starts with F, ends with SFATHERCHRISTMAS→
47A
Trash can resident of TV (5)
Starts with O, ends with ROSCAR→
48A
Animal carrier of note (3)
Starts with A, ends with KARK→
49A
Cricket sound (5)
Starts with C, ends with PCHIRP→
50A
“Prove it!” (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESHOWME→
52A
“Defense! Defense!” and others (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCHANTS→
53A
The Jackson 5, e.g., and a hint to 18-, 24-, 29- and 42-Across (13)
Starts with M, ends with YMUSICALFAMILY→
57A
Word with bottle, baseball and blasting (3)
Starts with C, ends with PCAP→
58A
Thumbs-down review, informally (7)
Starts with N, ends with ONOBUENO→
59A
German physicist Georg (3)
Starts with O, ends with MOHM→
61A
Link letters (3)
Starts with U, ends with LURL→
62A
Winner of a race (7)
Starts with E, ends with EELECTEE→
63A
Dyson product, for short (3)
Starts with V, ends with CVAC→
64A
Scrape (by) (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEKE→
65A
Fail to play (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSIT→
66A
Blockhead (3)
Starts with A, ends with SASS→
67A
UFO crew (3)
Starts with E, ends with SETS→
Down
2D
13-Across, e.g. (6)
Starts with L, ends with ELEGUME→
3D
Brutes in “Gulliver’s Travels” (6)
Starts with Y, ends with SYAHOOS→
4D
Payroll-processing co. (3)
Starts with A, ends with PADP→
5D
Namesake of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s lifetime achievement award (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBEENE→
6D
Follower of Dionysus (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSATYR→
7D
Speed skater Ohno (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAPOLO→
8D
Asian gambling mecca (5)
Starts with M, ends with UMACAU→
9D
Cuttlefish defense (3)
Starts with I, ends with KINK→
10D
Beaver tail, e.g. (6)
Starts with P, ends with YPASTRY→
11D
Rejects, informally (6)
Starts with I, ends with SIXNAYS→
12D
Giveaway (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTELL→
15D
“Hotel Transylvania” nickname (4)
Starts with D, ends with CDRAC→
21D
Attempt (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSTAB→
23D
Uber alerts, for short (4)
Starts with E, ends with SETAS→
25D
Legendary warrior ___ Mulan (3)
Starts with H, ends with AHUA→
26D
“Science Guy” Bill (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENYE→
30D
Milky Way, e.g. (3)
Starts with B, ends with RBAR→
31D
1978 song with a recognizable dance (4)
Starts with Y, ends with AYMCA→
32D
Danish physicist Niels (4)
Starts with B, ends with RBOHR→
33D
Hide in the shadows (4)
Starts with L, ends with KLURK→
34D
One of Switzerland’s Forest Cantons (3)
Starts with U, ends with IURI→
35D
Company money mgrs. (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCFOS→
36D
Yardage line (8)
Starts with H, ends with KHASHMARK→
37D
Zendaya and Tom Holland, e.g. (8)
Starts with I, ends with EITCOUPLE→
39D
Romantic confession (8)
Starts with I, ends with EIMINLOVE→
40D
Festive cone (8)
Starts with P, ends with TPARTYHAT→
41D
Serpents on sarcophagi (4)
Starts with A, ends with SASPS→
43D
Hems and ___ (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHAWS→
44D
Otters’ kin (7)
Starts with E, ends with SERMINES→
45D
Ordinary fellows (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSCHMOES→
46D
Cuisine featuring lemongrass (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITHAI→
51D
Reason for some food recalls (5)
Starts with E, ends with IECOLI→
52D
Support staffs? (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCANES→
54D
Help feloniously (4)
Starts with A, ends with TABET→
55D
Book after Matthieu and Marc (3)
Starts with L, ends with CLUC→
56D
Spanakopita cheese (4)
Starts with F, ends with AFETA→
57D
Stick that breaks? (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECUE→
60D
Hip-hop vocalists (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMCS→
How to solve the WSJ Crossword
Fill the grid so every Across and Down answer matches its clue. The title hints at the theme, and on Fridays a final instruction asks for the meta answer. Our answer pages list every clue with its answer behind a reveal button.
Want the full method? Read our WSJ Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the WSJ Crossword on the hub.
WSJ Crossword tips for tomorrow
- Read the title first. WSJ titles are precise. They usually describe exactly how the theme entries are transformed.
- Solve Friday twice. Fill the grid, then look for a pattern in the theme entries that spells or points to the meta answer.
- Learn the editor's style. Mike Shenk favours tight wordplay. A clue that seems too literal probably has a second reading.
Done for today? Try NYT Crossword, LA Times Crossword, Newsday Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous WSJ Crossword puzzles
WSJ Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the WSJ Crossword for August 12, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Luke K. Schreiber and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Calculating (SLY); They’re hit with a crunch (ABS); Unhelpful response to “You’re muted” (AMI).
Who edits the WSJ Crossword?+
Mike Shenk has edited the Wall Street Journal Crossword since its launch.
Where can I find past WSJ Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all answers and a page per clue.
