WSJ Crossword hints and answers for October 2, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues144
Across69
Down75
TitleIn the Pits
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
Sandwich fill for Paddington Bear (9)
Starts with M, ends with EMARMALADE→
10A
Kitchen invader (3)
Starts with A, ends with TANT→
13A
French article (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLES→
16A
Character in Progressive ads (3)
Starts with F, ends with OFLO→
19A
Proactiv rival (9)
Starts with C, ends with LCLEARASIL→
20A
Stephen of “The Crying Game” (3)
Starts with R, ends with AREA→
21A
More impatiently eager (7)
Starts with I, ends with RITCHIER→
23A
Oscar winner for 1963’s “Lilies of the Field” (13)
Starts with S, ends with RSIDNEYPOITIER→
25A
Big name in frozen cheesecakes (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESARALEE→
26A
Spanish shaker contents (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSAL→
27A
Piece that may be attacked by la dame or le cavalier (3)
Starts with R, ends with IROI→
28A
Citrusy sugar-free brand (10)
Starts with S, ends with OSPRITEZERO→
30A
The Yamaha Banshee 350, e.g. (3)
Starts with A, ends with VATV→
33A
Yogi’s need (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMAT→
35A
Gander’s mate (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGOOSE→
37A
Fresh from the showers (3)
Starts with W, ends with TWET→
38A
Capital at 12,000 feet (5)
Starts with L, ends with ALHASA→
40A
Toward the rudder (6)
Starts with A, ends with NASTERN→
43A
Field in which you might study Klein bottles and Möbius strips (8)
Starts with T, ends with YTOPOLOGY→
48A
Award for “Spotlight” or “Moonlight” (11)
Starts with B, ends with EBESTPICTURE→
50A
Arrested (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRANIN→
51A
Adversary (3)
Starts with F, ends with EFOE→
52A
“Let It Go” singer (4)
Starts with E, ends with AELSA→
53A
Cherry discards (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEMS→
54A
PetSmart purchases (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCAGES→
55A
Hollow bread (4)
Starts with P, ends with APITA→
56A
Noncommittal answer (4)
Starts with I, ends with YIMAY→
57A
Painter Mondrian (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPIET→
58A
Meat’s marbling (3)
Starts with F, ends with TFAT→
59A
Formally certifies (7)
Starts with A, ends with SATTESTS→
61A
Raconteur’s recitals (5)
Starts with T, ends with STALES→
63A
“Password” players, at times (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCLUERS→
65A
Fly ball also called a “duck snort” (8)
Starts with B, ends with TBLOOPHIT→
66A
Bit of balm (3)
Starts with D, ends with BDAB→
68A
Lack of reverence (7)
Starts with I, ends with YIMPIETY→
70A
Spanish article (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLOS→
71A
Where some pitching takes place (8)
Starts with C, ends with ECAMPSITE→
75A
Bully’s comeback (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESAYSME→
77A
Scrabble rack septet (5)
Starts with T, ends with STILES→
81A
Kindles (7)
Starts with A, ends with SAROUSES→
82A
Neither partner (3)
Starts with N, ends with RNOR→
85A
Play group (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCAST→
86A
Ben & Jerry’s purchase (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPINT→
87A
Silk substitute (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRAYON→
89A
Tool for a gem appraiser (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELOUPE→
90A
Marlins infielder Lopez (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOTTO→
91A
Id ___ (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEST→
92A
Boston seafood specialty (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSCROD→
93A
Avoided profanity (11)
Starts with K, ends with NKEPTITCLEAN→
95A
On edge (8)
Starts with R, ends with SRESTLESS→
97A
Shelley’s middle name (6)
Starts with B, ends with EBYSSHE→
98A
Expedition (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHASTE→
99A
Historian’s concern (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
100A
Height boosters (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHEELS→
102A
Successor of HST (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDDE→
104A
Danson of “The Good Place” (3)
Starts with T, ends with DTED→
105A
Movers of dinghies (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSPRITSAILS→
109A
Builder’s extension (3)
Starts with E, ends with LELL→
112A
CPR expert (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEMT→
114A
Home wrecker, of a sort (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETERMITE→
115A
Italian entree prepared by heating meat between two dishes over a boiling pot (13)
Starts with C, ends with OCARNEALPIATTO→
121A
Emmy winner who served as Screen Actors Guild president in the 1980s (7)
Starts with E, ends with REDASNER→
122A
“Don’t mind ___ do” (3)
Starts with I, ends with IIFI→
123A
Response to a cruel comment (9)
Starts with T, ends with NTHATSMEAN→
124A
Verbal agility (3)
Starts with W, ends with TWIT→
125A
Pioneering muscle car (3)
Starts with G, ends with OGTO→
126A
Rep.’s opponent (3)
Starts with D, ends with MDEM→
127A
Group in the pit (and in this puzzle’s PITs) (9)
Starts with O, ends with AORCHESTRA→
Down
1D
Dance club VIPs (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMCS→
2D
2001 Will Smith film (3)
Starts with A, ends with IALI→
3D
Spectrum end (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRED→
4D
Occupies, as a battle station (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMANS→
5D
Handout from a concierge (7)
Starts with A, ends with PAREAMAP→
6D
Eric Clapton song (5)
Starts with L, ends with ALAYLA→
7D
Symbol of power in ancient Egypt (3)
Starts with A, ends with PASP→
8D
Christian from Normandy (4)
Starts with D, ends with RDIOR→
9D
2025 Pixar film (4)
Starts with E, ends with OELIO→
10D
D-backs, on scoreboards (3)
Starts with A, ends with IARI→
11D
Schindler’s portrayer (6)
Starts with N, ends with NNEESON→
12D
Diamond covers (5)
Starts with T, ends with STARPS→
13D
Virna of “Casanova 70” (4)
Starts with L, ends with ILISI→
14D
Coup target (4)
Starts with E, ends with TETAT→
15D
Like some bottle caps (7)
Starts with S, ends with NSCREWON→
16D
McDonald’s item since the 1960s (10)
Starts with F, ends with HFILETOFISH→
17D
Skeevy look (4)
Starts with L, ends with RLEER→
18D
Treat with a trademarked design (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOREO→
22D
Eye color of about 5% of people (5)
Starts with H, ends with LHAZEL→
24D
Comerica Park team (6)
Starts with T, ends with STIGERS→
29D
Put a new price on, maybe (5)
Starts with R, ends with GRETAG→
30D
However (6)
Starts with A, ends with TALBEIT→
31D
Louise’s pal (6)
Starts with T, ends with ATHELMA→
32D
Subordinate sort (6)
Starts with V, ends with LVASSAL→
36D
Vein makeup (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
39D
Didn’t leave (9)
Starts with S, ends with TSTAYEDPUT→
41D
Metal marble (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESTEELIE→
42D
Belly, informally (6)
Starts with T, ends with MTUMTUM→
44D
Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille (5)
Starts with O, ends with LONEAL→
45D
“Hamilton” prop (6)
Starts with P, ends with LPISTOL→
46D
“The Teflon Don” (5)
Starts with G, ends with IGOTTI→
47D
Brewery supply (5)
Starts with Y, ends with TYEAST→
49D
WWW-access offerer (3)
Starts with I, ends with PISP→
50D
Snitch (3)
Starts with R, ends with TRAT→
54D
“Sturdy batsman” of verse (5)
Starts with C, ends with YCASEY→
55D
Beverage named for its supposed digestive benefits (9)
Starts with P, ends with APEPSICOLA→
58D
Tuck, e.g. (5)
Starts with F, ends with RFRIAR→
60D
Highway warning (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTOOT→
64D
Seller of EcoTank printers (5)
Starts with E, ends with NEPSON→
65D
Orally (7)
Starts with B, ends with HBYMOUTH→
67D
“The Devil’s Dictionary” author (6)
Starts with B, ends with EBIERCE→
69D
Harvard Avenue and Fenway on the Green Line, e.g. (6)
Starts with T, ends with STSTOPS→
71D
Criminal outing (5)
Starts with C, ends with RCAPER→
72D
Happen (5)
Starts with A, ends with EARISE→
73D
Caribbean island whose capital is a ghost town due to volcanic eruptions (10)
Starts with M, ends with TMONTSERRAT→
74D
Bygone autocrats (5)
Starts with T, ends with STSARS→
76D
Caught sight of (6)
Starts with E, ends with DESPIED→
78D
Up-to-the-minute news (6)
Starts with L, ends with TLATEST→
79D
Monticello, e.g. (6)
Starts with E, ends with EESTATE→
82D
Discreet bid (3)
Starts with N, ends with DNOD→
84D
Collector’s goal (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSET→
88D
Dinosaur of Mario games (5)
Starts with Y, ends with IYOSHI→
89D
Dwindle (6)
Starts with L, ends with NLESSEN→
92D
Some roof work (7)
Starts with S, ends with GSLATING→
93D
Jon who returned to the Senate to fill John McCain’s seat (3)
Starts with K, ends with LKYL→
94D
Loose-fitting nightgown (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECHEMISE→
97D
Farewell from a worrier (6)
Starts with B, ends with EBESAFE→
101D
Hero soldier of Spain (5)
Starts with E, ends with DELCID→
103D
Pool marking (5)
Starts with D, ends with HDEPTH→
105D
Hearty supper (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSTEW→
106D
Mani counterpart (4)
Starts with P, ends with IPEDI→
107D
Dele override (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSTET→
108D
Dynamic start? (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAERO→
110D
Paul Atreides’s father, in “Dune” (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLETO→
111D
1939 co-star of Bolger and Haley (4)
Starts with L, ends with RLAHR→
113D
Scots’ caps (4)
Starts with T, ends with STAMS→
116D
Canyon feature (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRIM→
117D
Champlain, to Champlain (3)
Starts with L, ends with CLAC→
118D
Hanoi holiday (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTET→
119D
Ship sealer (3)
Starts with T, ends with RTAR→
120D
Words before tear or dare (3)
Starts with O, ends with AONA→
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 2, 2026?+
144 clues: 69 Across and 75 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Mike Shenk and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Sandwich fill for Paddington Bear (MARMALADE); Kitchen invader (ANT); French article (LES).
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.
