WSJ Crossword hints and answers for October 21, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across35
Down43
TitleRock Climbing
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
Hunky-dory (3)
Starts with A, ends with KAOK→
4A
Suffolk sound (3)
Starts with B, ends with ABAA→
7A
Model airplane material (5)
Starts with B, ends with ABALSA→
12A
Field dressings? (8)
Starts with U, ends with SUNIFORMS→
15A
Wallops (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPASTES→
16A
Cupful at Popeyes (8)
Starts with S, ends with ASWEETTEA→
17A
“Now I remember!” (6)
Starts with O, ends with HOHYEAH→
18A
Fork-tailed flier (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTERN→
19A
Tampa neighbor, familiarly (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESTPETE→
21A
Tennis star Swiatek (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIGA→
22A
Clothes line? (6)
Starts with I, ends with MINSEAM→
24A
You can put drinks on them (4)
Starts with T, ends with STABS→
28A
Generic (6)
Starts with N, ends with ENONAME→
30A
Onetime JFK lander (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSST→
32A
Hereford sound (3)
Starts with M, ends with OMOO→
33A
Rye buys (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLOAVES→
38A
Means of advancement, and what can be found in each set of circles in this puzzle (13)
Starts with S, ends with ESTEPPINGSTONE→
41A
One of 32 in a Monopoly set (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHOUSE→
42A
Pub orders (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTOUTS→
43A
Prove oneself fallible (3)
Starts with E, ends with RERR→
44A
Warriors shoot in it: Abbr. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANBA→
46A
Snap alternative (6)
Starts with B, ends with NBUTTON→
50A
It’s brought to order (4)
Starts with M, ends with UMENU→
52A
Shocked (6)
Starts with A, ends with TAGHAST→
55A
Elvis’s longtime label (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARCA→
56A
Enjoys a favorite film (6)
Starts with R, ends with SRESEES→
58A
Thin tubes on tables (4)
Starts with Z, ends with IZITI→
59A
For some time (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAWHILE→
62A
Thumbs-up (8)
Starts with A, ends with LAPPROVAL→
65A
Greatly dismay (6)
Starts with A, ends with LAPPALL→
66A
It really sticks in your craw (8)
Starts with P, ends with EPETPEEVE→
67A
Malia Obama’s younger sister (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASASHA→
68A
Smash into (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRAM→
69A
Lasso in England (3)
Starts with T, ends with DTED→
Down
1D
Home of the Longhorns (6)
Starts with A, ends with NAUSTIN→
2D
“Let’s continue” (6)
Starts with O, ends with OONWEGO→
3D
Culkin of “A Real Pain” (6)
Starts with K, ends with NKIERAN→
4D
Web crawler (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBOT→
5D
Finesse (3)
Starts with A, ends with TART→
6D
Make ___ of (mishandle) (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAMESS→
7D
Bangkok currency (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBAHT→
8D
So far (5)
Starts with A, ends with TASYET→
9D
Smartphone standard before 5G (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELTE→
10D
Salt source (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASEA→
11D
Briquette remnant (3)
Starts with A, ends with HASH→
13D
Quagmire (3)
Starts with F, ends with NFEN→
14D
Fill to the gills (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESATE→
15D
Works with meters and feet (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPOEMS→
20D
Round a corner, in Monopoly (6)
Starts with P, ends with OPASSGO→
22D
“Throw me the football!” (6)
Starts with I, ends with NIMOPEN→
23D
Biweekly tide (4)
Starts with N, ends with PNEAP→
25D
“You said it!” (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAMEN→
26D
Hammer, for one (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBONE→
27D
Yard goods? (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSOD→
29D
Pub orders (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALES→
31D
“Shame on you!” (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTUTTUT→
34D
Appearance (6)
Starts with V, ends with EVISAGE→
35D
Fangorn Forest creature (3)
Starts with E, ends with TENT→
37D
Fence feature (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPOST→
38D
Ticked off (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESORE→
39D
Come about (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTURN→
40D
Second-stringers (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSUBS→
41D
Clothes line? (3)
Starts with H, ends with MHEM→
45D
Swiss city on the Rhine (5)
Starts with B, ends with LBASEL→
47D
Stand on the table (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTRIVET→
48D
B to B, e.g. (6)
Starts with O, ends with EOCTAVE→
49D
Performed perfectly (6)
Starts with N, ends with DNAILED→
51D
Heep of literature (5)
Starts with U, ends with HURIAH→
53D
Bucket of bolts (4)
Starts with H, ends with PHEAP→
54D
Regarding (5)
Starts with A, ends with RASPER→
57D
Queen of scat singing, familiarly (4)
Starts with E, ends with AELLA→
58D
Saldaña of “Avatar” (3)
Starts with Z, ends with EZOE→
59D
Smoke detector batteries, sometimes (3)
Starts with A, ends with SAAS→
60D
FDR’s job-creating program (3)
Starts with W, ends with AWPA→
61D
Some printers (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHPS→
63D
Sch. fundraiser, maybe (3)
Starts with P, ends with APTA→
64D
LP speed (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRPM→
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 21, 2026?+
78 clues: 35 Across and 43 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Mike Graczyk and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Hunky-dory (AOK); Suffolk sound (BAA); Model airplane material (BALSA).
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.
