WSJ Crossword hints and answers for June 12, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues80
Across39
Down41
TitleBacking the Odds
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
Waze underpinning (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGPS→
4A
“Where the Jackals Howl” author Oz (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAMOS→
8A
Starchy veggie, familiarly (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSPUD→
12A
Sounds from a massage recipient (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAAHS→
14A
Streaming TV brand (4)
Starts with R, ends with UROKU→
15A
Reckon, informally (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPOSE→
16A
Earful at a summer cookout (9)
Starts with S, ends with NSWEETCORN→
18A
Specialty angler (5)
Starts with E, ends with REELER→
19A
“Codswallop!” (5)
Starts with P, ends with WPSHAW→
20A
Laser lighting site, often (9)
Starts with D, ends with BDANCECLUB→
22A
“Like that’ll ever happen!” (4)
Starts with A, ends with FASIF→
24A
Somewhat, informally (3)
Starts with I, ends with HISH→
25A
Plant in a government office, maybe (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSPY→
26A
One might make a delivery on the road, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEMT→
28A
Scarf makeup (4)
Starts with S, ends with KSILK→
31A
Pull along (3)
Starts with T, ends with WTOW→
33A
Pointing inward (9)
Starts with R, ends with TREENTRANT→
36A
Internet site with a Symptom Checker option (5)
Starts with W, ends with DWEBMD→
40A
Purina competitor (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIAMS→
41A
Printer problem (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSMEAR→
43A
Color of the German sky (4)
Starts with B, ends with UBLAU→
44A
Symbols on musical staffs (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCLEFS→
46A
Service helpers (9)
Starts with A, ends with SALTARBOYS→
48A
Existed (3)
Starts with W, ends with SWAS→
50A
Crash specialist (4)
Starts with T, ends with HTECH→
51A
Cereal grain (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOAT→
52A
Lab subj. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ISCI→
55A
Seedy fruit (3)
Starts with F, ends with GFIG→
57A
Warmhearted (4)
Starts with K, ends with DKIND→
59A
Target of a spring search (9)
Starts with E, ends with GEASTEREGG→
63A
Honkers (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNOSES→
66A
Marvel character voiced by Vin Diesel (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGROOT→
67A
Fair (9)
Starts with T, ends with WTRADESHOW→
69A
Mixture (5)
Starts with A, ends with YALLOY→
70A
Proctor’s call (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETIME→
71A
Give an edge to (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHONE→
72A
Bank offering (4)
Starts with L, ends with NLOAN→
73A
Eclipse, maybe (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOMEN→
74A
Mao follower? (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETSE→
Down
1D
Startled sound (4)
Starts with G, ends with PGASP→
2D
Cat quartet (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPAWS→
3D
2004 Spike Lee movie (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESHEHATEME→
4D
Smile shape (3)
Starts with A, ends with CARC→
5D
State of mind (4)
Starts with M, ends with DMOOD→
6D
Mallow family vegetable (4)
Starts with O, ends with AOKRA→
7D
Islam’s majority branch (5)
Starts with S, ends with ISUNNI→
8D
Contractor’s figure (4)
Starts with S, ends with CSPEC→
9D
Marketers’ tools (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPOLLS→
10D
Deplete (5)
Starts with U, ends with PUSEUP→
11D
Bowler (5)
Starts with D, ends with YDERBY→
13D
Atlas expanses (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSEAS→
15D
Find it plausible (6)
Starts with S, ends with WSEEHOW→
17D
Surprise in a story (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTWIST→
21D
Winter in Wichita setting: Abbr. (3)
Starts with C, ends with TCST→
23D
Many Christmas trees (4)
Starts with F, ends with SFIRS→
26D
“The Little Mermaid” prince (4)
Starts with E, ends with CERIC→
27D
Bistro buy (4)
Starts with M, ends with LMEAL→
29D
Tibetan for “superior one” (4)
Starts with L, ends with ALAMA→
30D
Prepared for prayer (5)
Starts with K, ends with TKNELT→
32D
“The Amazing Spider-Man” director Marc (4)
Starts with W, ends with BWEBB→
34D
Warning letters on a risqué link (4)
Starts with N, ends with WNSFW→
35D
Turner Prize awarder (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETATE→
37D
Red, in a way (9)
Starts with B, ends with TBLOODSHOT→
38D
Temple of the Great Jaguar people (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMAYA→
39D
Furniture collection? (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDUST→
42D
Pool hall triangle (4)
Starts with R, ends with KRACK→
45D
Backfield defender (6)
Starts with S, ends with YSAFETY→
47D
Cologne water (5)
Starts with R, ends with ERHINE→
49D
Polite address (3)
Starts with S, ends with RSIR→
52D
“Love Story” writer (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSEGAL→
53D
Author Levi (5)
Starts with C, ends with OCARLO→
54D
La Sicilia, per esempio (5)
Starts with I, ends with AISOLA→
56D
Irritate (5)
Starts with G, ends with OGETTO→
58D
Quick snack (4)
Starts with N, ends with HNOSH→
60D
Boo-Boo or Bamm-Bamm, e.g. (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTOON→
61D
Forbidding (4)
Starts with G, ends with MGRIM→
62D
Clue, e.g. (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGAME→
64D
Interminable stretch (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEONS→
65D
___’Pea (“Popeye” character) (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESWEE→
68D
Lion’s lair (3)
Starts with D, ends with NDEN→
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 June 12, 2026?+
80 clues: 39 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Mike Shenk and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Waze underpinning (GPS); “Where the Jackals Howl” author Oz (AMOS); Starchy veggie, familiarly (SPUD).
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.
