WSJ Crossword hints and answers for October 4, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
TitleCircle of Friends
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
Quartet in a quart (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCUPS→
5A
Minnesota Vikings’ org. (3)
Starts with N, ends with LNFL→
8A
Rotary phone part (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDIAL→
12A
Toiling away (4)
Starts with A, ends with TATIT→
13A
Soprano’s song, perhaps (4)
Starts with A, ends with AARIA→
15A
Disney’s flying elephant (5)
Starts with D, ends with ODUMBO→
16A
Releases by hip-hop artists (9)
Starts with R, ends with SRAPALBUMS→
18A
Washington neighbor (5)
Starts with I, ends with OIDAHO→
19A
“Over yonder” (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETHERE→
20A
Main ideas (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGISTS→
22A
Acquired (3)
Starts with G, ends with TGOT→
23A
Coaches behind many school plays (13)
Starts with D, ends with SDRAMATEACHERS→
26A
Boston Marathon mo. (3)
Starts with A, ends with RAPR→
28A
Gadot of “Wonder Woman” (3)
Starts with G, ends with LGAL→
29A
Hop out of bed (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERISE→
30A
Ascends (6)
Starts with G, ends with PGOESUP→
32A
Gateway Arch city, for short (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSTL→
33A
Marvel mutant group (4)
Starts with X, ends with NXMEN→
37A
Fill with joy (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELATE→
38A
“Help! Our boat is sinking!” (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSOS→
40A
Infomercial feature (4)
Starts with D, ends with ODEMO→
41A
Mafia boss (3)
Starts with D, ends with NDON→
42A
Pretend to be (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPOSEAS→
43A
“Just doing my best” (4)
Starts with I, ends with YITRY→
45A
Burst like a balloon (3)
Starts with P, ends with PPOP→
46A
Explosive stuff (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTNT→
47A
Shore shade provider (13)
Starts with B, ends with ABEACHUMBRELLA→
52A
“Brokeback Mountain” director Lee (3)
Starts with A, ends with GANG→
53A
Quick on one’s feet (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAGILE→
54A
Patronage (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAEGIS→
57A
Natural hat material (5)
Starts with S, ends with WSTRAW→
59A
Traditional Easter entree (9)
Starts with L, ends with TLAMBROAST→
61A
Bird feeder morsels (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSEEDS→
62A
Joint with a cap (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKNEE→
63A
Evening, in commercials (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENITE→
64A
Metal sources (4)
Starts with O, ends with SORES→
65A
Summer hrs. in Chicago (3)
Starts with C, ends with TCDT→
66A
Ski slope cover (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSNOW→
Down
1D
Online shopping icon (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCART→
2D
State with a beehive on its flag (4)
Starts with U, ends with HUTAH→
3D
Unrealistic goal (9)
Starts with P, ends with MPIPEDREAM→
4D
Colleague of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSTARR→
5D
Catch red-handed (3)
Starts with N, ends with BNAB→
6D
Penny-pinching (6)
Starts with F, ends with LFRUGAL→
7D
Maximum or minimum (5)
Starts with L, ends with TLIMIT→
8D
Faulty firecracker (3)
Starts with D, ends with DDUD→
9D
Mental picture (5)
Starts with I, ends with EIMAGE→
10D
Absolutely hate (5)
Starts with A, ends with RABHOR→
11D
Takes inventory? (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLOOTS→
14D
States with confidence (7)
Starts with A, ends with SASSERTS→
15D
Frisbees, e.g. (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDISCS→
17D
Part of 5-Across (6)
Starts with L, ends with ELEAGUE→
21D
Peacock’s pride (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTAIL→
24D
Hiker’s aid (3)
Starts with M, ends with PMAP→
25D
Puts a spell on (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHEXES→
26D
Like some cheeses (4)
Starts with A, ends with DAGED→
27D
Warsaw native (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPOLE→
31D
Showing no emotion (5)
Starts with S, ends with CSTOIC→
32D
Hamlet, to Gertrude (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSON→
34D
Have a second session, say (9)
Starts with M, ends with NMEETAGAIN→
35D
Broadway’s “Dear ___ Hansen” (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEVAN→
36D
Home in the branches (4)
Starts with N, ends with TNEST→
38D
Vegan ingredient for a matcha latte (7)
Starts with S, ends with KSOYMILK→
39D
Aspen or cottonwood, e.g. (6)
Starts with P, ends with RPOPLAR→
41D
Pharmacy pickup (4)
Starts with D, ends with GDRUG→
42D
“The Raven” writer (3)
Starts with P, ends with EPOE→
44D
Takes out of the freezer (5)
Starts with T, ends with STHAWS→
45D
Future doc’s program (6)
Starts with P, ends with DPREMED→
47D
Deep opera voice (5)
Starts with B, ends with OBASSO→
48D
“Come on in!” (5)
Starts with E, ends with RENTER→
49D
See eye to eye (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAGREE→
50D
Mel who voiced Bugs Bunny (5)
Starts with B, ends with CBLANC→
51D
Music’s Russell and Redbone (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLEONS→
55D
What an analogy colon means (4)
Starts with I, ends with OISTO→
58D
Commercials (3)
Starts with A, ends with SADS→
60D
Do some gambling (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBET→
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 4, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Zhouqin Burnikel and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Quartet in a quart (CUPS); Minnesota Vikings’ org. (NFL); Rotary phone part (DIAL).
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.
