WSJ Crossword hints and answers for October 7, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
TitleGoing Strong
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
Rice-shaped pasta (4)
Starts with O, ends with OORZO→
5A
Turkish chiefs (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAGAS→
9A
“Memento” star Pearce (3)
Starts with G, ends with YGUY→
12A
*They might show when wearing a tank top (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBRASS→
13A
*Spot for a summer nap (4)
Starts with M, ends with KMOCK→
14A
*Where you might play dodgeball, familiarly (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLASS→
15A
Protein-building acid (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAMINO→
16A
First Black doll from American Girl (4)
Starts with A, ends with YADDY→
17A
Sheltered, on a ship (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALEE→
18A
How sturdy things are built (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTOLAST→
20A
Look of loathing (8)
Starts with I, ends with EICYSTARE→
22A
Upright row target...that’s been relocated (4)
Starts with T, ends with PTRAP→
23A
Dead lift target...that’s been relocated (3)
Starts with H, ends with MHAM→
25A
Bench press target...that’s been relocated (3)
Starts with P, ends with CPEC→
27A
Former Interior secretary Haaland (3)
Starts with D, ends with BDEB→
28A
Ransom note writer (6)
Starts with C, ends with RCAPTOR→
31A
“One of Us” singer Joan (7)
Starts with O, ends with EOSBORNE→
34A
Gracefully light (4)
Starts with A, ends with YAIRY→
35A
39A
Be on the lookout for? (4)
Starts with A, ends with TABET→
40A
Postal parties (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSENDERS→
41A
Casual parties (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMIXERS→
43A
Getaway option (3)
Starts with I, ends with NINN→
44A
Start for light or night (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITWI→
47A
Dip target...that’s been relocated (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITRI→
48A
Pull-up target...that’s been relocated (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLAT→
49A
Squat target...that’s been relocated (4)
Starts with Q, ends with DQUAD→
50A
What you do with a scale or escalator (8)
Starts with S, ends with OSTEPONTO→
54A
Nancy’s friend in the comics (6)
Starts with S, ends with OSLUGGO→
56A
Alternative to “<3” (4)
Starts with X, ends with OXOXO→
57A
“I figured it out!” (4)
Starts with O, ends with HOHOH→
59A
Stand up for the arts? (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEASEL→
60A
*Vacation on the slopes (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSKIP→
61A
*Workout that might involve a reformer (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPIES→
62A
*Black-and-whites (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSCARS→
63A
Freshly painted (3)
Starts with W, ends with TWET→
64A
“Orinoco Flow” singer (4)
Starts with E, ends with AENYA→
65A
Letters on a Times Square booth (4)
Starts with T, ends with STKTS→
Down
1D
At a minimum (6)
Starts with O, ends with EORMORE→
2D
Harangue (6)
Starts with R, ends with TRAILAT→
3D
Letter-shaped gesture accompanying a retort (5)
Starts with Z, ends with PZSNAP→
4D
Los ___ (California town with a bear of a name) (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOSOS→
5D
Dr.’s grp. (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAMA→
6D
Fade out (5)
Starts with G, ends with MGODIM→
7D
“Highway to Hell” band (4)
Starts with A, ends with CACDC→
8D
Vodka in a blue bottle (4)
Starts with S, ends with YSKYY→
9D
Absolutely massive (8)
Starts with G, ends with CGALACTIC→
10D
Tech caller (4)
Starts with U, ends with RUSER→
11D
“Didn’t I call that?” (4)
Starts with Y, ends with EYSEE→
12D
Crackers (5)
Starts with B, ends with YBATTY→
14D
Excuse for a teacher (8)
Starts with L, ends with SLATEPASS→
19D
Bruce, to fans (7)
Starts with T, ends with STHEBOSS→
21D
Getaway option (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASPA→
24D
Topping (5)
Starts with A, ends with EABOVE→
27D
High mil. award (3)
Starts with D, ends with MDSM→
28D
Clinches, as a victory (7)
Starts with C, ends with SCEMENTS→
29D
Magic, on tickers (3)
Starts with O, ends with LORL→
30D
Reuben base (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERYE→
31D
Frozen treat with a Major Mango flavor (8)
Starts with O, ends with POTTERPOP→
32D
___ Faire (event with jousting) (3)
Starts with R, ends with NREN→
33D
Memorable name from the Montreal Olympics (5)
Starts with N, ends with ANADIA→
35D
Spillway site (3)
Starts with D, ends with MDAM→
36D
Silk sash (3)
Starts with O, ends with IOBI→
37D
Common words on highway signs (8)
Starts with N, ends with TNEXTEXIT→
38D
Self-serve coffee source (3)
Starts with U, ends with NURN→
42D
Samba city (3)
Starts with R, ends with ORIO→
44D
Pulls gently (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTUGSAT→
45D
Gets into the pool (6)
Starts with W, ends with SWAGERS→
46D
Fan faves (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIDOLS→
48D
Army nickname (5)
Starts with L, ends with YLOOEY→
49D
Doctor who doctored the résumé (5)
Starts with Q, ends with KQUACK→
50D
Annual Austin fest (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSXSW→
51D
Potent hit? (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETOKE→
52D
“Guess again” (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENOPE→
53D
Watery (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTHIN→
55D
For fear that (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLEST→
58D
Pre-tax medical expense fund, for short (3)
Starts with H, ends with AHSA→
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 7, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Ella Dershowitz and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Rice-shaped pasta (ORZO); Turkish chiefs (AGAS); “Memento” star Pearce (GUY).
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.
