WSJ Crossword hints and answers for October 19, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across35
Down43
TitleSplit Decision
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
Post-larva state (4)
Starts with P, ends with APUPA→
5A
Bold bet at the poker table (5)
Starts with A, ends with NALLIN→
10A
“The Substance” star Moore (4)
Starts with D, ends with IDEMI→
14A
Perched on (4)
Starts with A, ends with PATOP→
15A
Dip for tortilla chips (5)
Starts with Q, ends with OQUESO→
16A
Biz bigwig (4)
Starts with E, ends with CEXEC→
17A
It may be broken after the election (15)
Starts with C, ends with ECAMPAIGNPROMISE→
20A
Volume setting? (5)
Starts with S, ends with FSHELF→
21A
Pen on a pig farm (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
22A
Tiny bits (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIOTAS→
23A
Org. for motorists (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAAA→
25A
Journalist Curry (3)
Starts with A, ends with NANN→
26A
One might contain a flashlight and protein bars (11)
Starts with S, ends with TSURVIVALKIT→
31A
Birds of a feather that don’t fly together (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEMUS→
33A
Endowment (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGRANT→
34A
Sharp changes of direction (4)
Starts with Z, ends with SZIGS→
37A
Dork’s kin (5)
Starts with D, ends with BDWEEB→
39A
Out of date (3)
Starts with O, ends with DOLD→
40A
Bit of potpourri (5)
Starts with P, ends with LPETAL→
41A
Furious (3)
Starts with M, ends with DMAD→
42A
Plot device in “Memento” (7)
Starts with A, ends with AAMNESIA→
45A
Indefinite amount (3)
Starts with A, ends with YANY→
46A
Like a thrill ride (13)
Starts with H, ends with GHEARTSTOPPING→
49A
Garment under a blouse (3)
Starts with B, ends with ABRA→
50A
Remote batteries, perhaps (3)
Starts with A, ends with SAAS→
51A
Brown marten (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESABLE→
54A
Karaoke bar figures (3)
Starts with V, ends with SVJS→
57A
“Egad!” (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYIPES→
61A
Marital split, and a hint to this puzzle’s circled letters (15)
Starts with T, ends with NTRIALSEPARATION→
64A
Complete range (4)
Starts with A, ends with ZATOZ→
65A
Sports spot (5)
Starts with A, ends with AARENA→
66A
Upscale hotel chain (4)
Starts with O, ends with IOMNI→
67A
“The Big Board,” for short (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENYSE→
68A
Carried on, as a war (5)
Starts with W, ends with DWAGED→
69A
Political cartoonist Thomas (4)
Starts with N, ends with TNAST→
Down
1D
Busy orgs. in election years (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPACS→
2D
Zion National Park setting (4)
Starts with U, ends with HUTAH→
3D
Apple or pear (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPOME→
4D
Performer’s reward (8)
Starts with A, ends with EAPPLAUSE→
5D
Pollution stat (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAQI→
6D
Galoots (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLUGS→
7D
Easter lead-up (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLENT→
8D
Car trip game of observation (4)
Starts with I, ends with YISPY→
9D
Neither follower (3)
Starts with N, ends with RNOR→
10D
Make look bad (8)
Starts with D, ends with EDEMONIZE→
11D
Highway ramp (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEXIT→
12D
Monument Valley sight (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMESA→
13D
Cools down (4)
Starts with I, ends with SICES→
18D
Many miles away (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAFAR→
19D
Noise from a pig farm (4)
Starts with O, ends with KOINK→
24D
Math mean: Abbr. (3)
Starts with A, ends with GAVG→
25D
PC key (3)
Starts with A, ends with TALT→
26D
Material for some blue shoes of song (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESUEDE→
27D
Jeremy with an Oscar (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIRONS→
28D
Parking assistant (5)
Starts with V, ends with TVALET→
29D
“Thus...” (5)
Starts with A, ends with OANDSO→
30D
Moon of Saturn (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTITAN→
31D
Techno genre initialism (3)
Starts with E, ends with MEDM→
32D
Sound of a kiss (4)
Starts with M, ends with HMWAH→
35D
The Sharks or the Jets, e.g. (4)
Starts with G, ends with GGANG→
36D
Cunning (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSLY→
38D
Winery container (6)
Starts with B, ends with LBARREL→
40D
Smoothie fruit (6)
Starts with P, ends with APAPAYA→
43D
Letters on NYC subway cars (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMTA→
44D
Sierra Nevada offering (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIPA→
47D
Burning brightly (6)
Starts with A, ends with EABLAZE→
48D
Mic check question (6)
Starts with I, ends with NISITON→
51D
Baseball’s Musial (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSTAN→
52D
Creatively pretentious (4)
Starts with A, ends with YARTY→
53D
Life stories (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBIOS→
54D
Farmiga of “The Conjuring” (4)
Starts with V, ends with AVERA→
55D
Common image format (4)
Starts with J, ends with GJPEG→
56D
Reasonable (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESANE→
58D
Strong cotton variety (4)
Starts with P, ends with APIMA→
59D
Many, many years (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEONS→
60D
Fit of pique (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSNIT→
62D
Tool with teeth (3)
Starts with S, ends with WSAW→
63D
“Awesome!” (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRAD→
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 October 19, 2026?+
78 clues: 35 Across and 43 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Adam Simpson and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Post-larva state (PUPA); Bold bet at the poker table (ALLIN); “The Substance” star Moore (DEMI).
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.
