WSJ Crossword hints and answers for October 20, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across33
Down43
TitleSmall Change
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
One of the components of Einstein’s equation (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMASS→
5A
Hand makeup (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCARDS→
14A
Working hard (4)
Starts with A, ends with TATIT→
15A
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” playwright (5)
Starts with A, ends with EALBEE→
16A
Creative flash (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIDEA→
17A
Passport info (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENAME→
18A
Smelling salts? (10)
Starts with F, ends with SFAINTODORS→
20A
Monotonous sound (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDRONE→
22A
“Yeah, that’s better” (7)
Starts with I, ends with SITHELPS→
23A
Problems with young’uns? (12)
Starts with M, ends with SMINORHASSLES→
27A
Many a middle schooler (7)
Starts with S, ends with NSUBTEEN→
28A
Press into service (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUSE→
31A
Crowning point (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACME→
35A
Play adapted from the works of Capote (3)
Starts with T, ends with UTRU→
36A
Official timekeeper of tennis’s U.S. Open (5)
Starts with R, ends with XROLEX→
38A
Irritation resulting from an insult? (15)
Starts with S, ends with ESLIGHTANNOYANCE→
42A
Dance akin to the maxixe (5)
Starts with T, ends with OTANGO→
43A
Joke around (3)
Starts with K, ends with DKID→
44A
“Shoot!” (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRATS→
45A
Make a choice (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOPT→
46A
Jackson who sang at JFK’s inaugural ball (7)
Starts with M, ends with AMAHALIA→
50A
Under the couch cushions, maybe? (12)
Starts with R, ends with EREMOTECHANCE→
55A
Shoulder adornment (7)
Starts with E, ends with TEPAULET→
58A
Like doves and hawks (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAVIAN→
59A
What got rocker Tom a record? (10)
Starts with P, ends with EPETTYCRIME→
63A
“Ars Amatoria” poet (4)
Starts with O, ends with DOVID→
64A
Entertaining awards feat (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEGOT→
65A
Squalid dwelling (5)
Starts with H, ends with LHOVEL→
66A
“Those ___ the days” (4)
Starts with W, ends with EWERE→
67A
Catch sight of (4)
Starts with E, ends with YESPY→
68A
Peaceful places (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEDENS→
69A
Zen garden stuff (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSAND→
Down
1D
Chocolate candy with a shell (5)
Starts with M, ends with MMANDM→
2D
Missile Command company (5)
Starts with A, ends with IATARI→
3D
Who says? (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSIMON→
4D
Court recorder (5)
Starts with S, ends with OSTENO→
5D
High school eatery, informally (3)
Starts with C, ends with FCAF→
6D
In the style of (3)
Starts with A, ends with AALA→
7D
Hitter’s stat (3)
Starts with R, ends with IRBI→
8D
Stuart’s love on “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” (6)
Starts with D, ends with EDENISE→
9D
Avoid a trial (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESETTLE→
10D
Carnival attractions (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRIDES→
11D
Revered one (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
12D
Crook, in cop show lingo (4)
Starts with P, ends with PPERP→
19D
Literary master of irony (6)
Starts with O, ends with YOHENRY→
21D
Triage sites (3)
Starts with E, ends with SERS→
24D
Sluglike race in the “Star Wars” galaxy (4)
Starts with H, ends with THUTT→
25D
“___-Ca-Dabra” (1974 pop hit) (4)
Starts with A, ends with AABRA→
26D
Had absolutely no talent for (7)
Starts with S, ends with TSTUNKAT→
28D
Wrist-to-elbow bone (4)
Starts with U, ends with AULNA→
29D
Breakaway group (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSECT→
30D
Past dates? (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEXES→
31D
Concerning (4)
Starts with A, ends with OASTO→
32D
Thunder sound (4)
Starts with C, ends with PCLAP→
33D
Change source (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMINT→
34D
Early bird holder (3)
Starts with E, ends with GEGG→
37D
Sculling tool (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROAR→
39D
Not much to look at (6)
Starts with H, ends with YHOMELY→
40D
Khartoum’s river (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENILE→
41D
Like “To a Skylark” (4)
Starts with O, ends with CODIC→
47D
Don of “Trading Places” (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAMECHE→
48D
Drag performer? (6)
Starts with H, ends with DHOTROD→
49D
“That’s it!” (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAHA→
50D
Like dirt roads, often (5)
Starts with R, ends with YRUTTY→
51D
Maintains (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAVOWS→
52D
Maker of Botanical Blossom body wash (5)
Starts with N, ends with ANIVEA→
53D
Memorial mound of stones (5)
Starts with C, ends with NCAIRN→
54D
Broke off (5)
Starts with E, ends with DENDED→
55D
Saber’s kin (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEPEE→
56D
Cribbage pieces (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPEGS→
60D
“Now ___ seen everything!” (3)
Starts with I, ends with EIVE→
61D
Chess pieces (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMEN→
62D
Movers on high tracks (3)
Starts with E, ends with SELS→
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 20, 2026?+
76 clues: 33 Across and 43 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Gene Leganza & Theresa Brady and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: One of the components of Einstein’s equation (MASS); Hand makeup (CARDS); Tears (RIPS).
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.
