WSJ Crossword hints and answers for September 17, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
TitleWhatever Works
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
It shows only the face (5)
Starts with H, ends with BHIJAB→
6A
Novel need (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPLOT→
10A
Bread sources (4)
Starts with A, ends with SATMS→
14A
“What did ___ you?” (5)
Starts with I, ends with LITELL→
15A
Wi-Fi router brand (4)
Starts with E, ends with OEERO→
16A
“Dude” (4)
Starts with B, ends with HBRUH→
17A
It’s shown unedited (10)
Starts with R, ends with ERAWFOOTAGE→
19A
River to the Seine (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOISE→
20A
Philosophy’s Zeno of ___ (4)
Starts with E, ends with AELEA→
21A
Bobby on ice (3)
Starts with O, ends with RORR→
22A
Set inside (5)
Starts with I, ends with DIMBED→
23A
Tuck follower, in a safety maneuver (4)
Starts with R, ends with LROLL→
24A
Bank security (10)
Starts with P, ends with SPINNUMBERS→
27A
Mil. installations (3)
Starts with F, ends with SFTS→
29A
Web access offerers (4)
Starts with I, ends with SISPS→
30A
Simple weapon (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSPEAR→
33A
___ mater (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALMA→
37A
Handwritten sign at the register (15)
Starts with T, ends with DTIPSAPPRECIATED→
41A
Answer in support (3)
Starts with Y, ends with AYEA→
42A
Robert of “The Sopranos” (4)
Starts with I, ends with RILER→
43A
Full of fancy features (5)
Starts with R, ends with YRITZY→
44A
Bygone tune carrier (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIPOD→
45A
Land on the Med. (3)
Starts with I, ends with RISR→
46A
They bring you up and down (10)
Starts with M, ends with SMOODSWINGS→
51A
City with docks (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPORT→
55A
Gloom leaves the room when she sings “Tomorrow” (5)
Starts with A, ends with EANNIE→
56A
Boxing great (3)
Starts with A, ends with IALI→
57A
1847 adventure novel (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOMOO→
59A
Faced weak competition (10)
Starts with W, ends with KWONINAWALK→
62A
Per ___ (daily allowance) (4)
Starts with D, ends with MDIEM→
63A
Director Reitman (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIVAN→
64A
“Mr. Television” (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBERLE→
65A
Alan in “The Aviator” (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALDA→
66A
“Then finally...” (4)
Starts with L, ends with TLAST→
67A
Major goof (5)
Starts with E, ends with RERROR→
Down
1D
Boss, often (5)
Starts with H, ends with RHIRER→
2D
Author Calvino (5)
Starts with I, ends with OITALO→
3D
Amethyst, say (5)
Starts with J, ends with LJEWEL→
4D
Legume family plants (8)
Starts with A, ends with SALFALFAS→
5D
Rain-___ (gumball brand) (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBLO→
6D
Dish named for a scientist (5)
Starts with P, ends with IPETRI→
7D
Find out about (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLEARN→
8D
Dot follower, sometimes (3)
Starts with O, ends with GORG→
9D
Pivot for a pirouette (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETOE→
10D
WWII weapons (6)
Starts with A, ends with SABOMBS→
11D
Peace treaty signer, sometimes (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETRIBE→
12D
Deep thinker (5)
Starts with M, ends with RMUSER→
13D
Gets rid of (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSHEDS→
18D
“That was a mistake!” (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOOPS→
22D
Hinders (7)
Starts with I, ends with SIMPAIRS→
25D
River with a Blue part (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENILE→
26D
Elite mil. force since 1775 (4)
Starts with U, ends with CUSMC→
28D
Travel without a destination (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETRAIPSE→
30D
Pen for porkers (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
31D
Cobbler cousin (3)
Starts with P, ends with EPIE→
32D
Govt. pollution watchdog (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEPA→
33D
DEP counterpart (3)
Starts with A, ends with RARR→
34D
NFL passing stat (3)
Starts with A, ends with TATT→
35D
Collectible dispenser brand (3)
Starts with P, ends with ZPEZ→
36D
Joseph of ice cream fame (3)
Starts with E, ends with YEDY→
38D
Work the land (4)
Starts with P, ends with WPLOW→
39D
Mani-___ (spa treatment) (4)
Starts with P, ends with IPEDI→
40D
Force from above (8)
Starts with A, ends with RAIRPOWER→
44D
Polish or Swedish, in Spanish (6)
Starts with I, ends with AIDIOMA→
45D
“The fix ___!” (4)
Starts with I, ends with NISIN→
46D
CX-5 maker (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMAZDA→
47D
Baseball great Buck (5)
Starts with O, ends with LONEIL→
48D
“No Right ___” (5)
Starts with O, ends with DONRED→
49D
Mamas’ mamas (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNANAS→
50D
Flash of light (5)
Starts with G, ends with TGLINT→
52D
Sydney who watched the stars (5)
Starts with O, ends with ROMARR→
53D
Existentialist ___ May (5)
Starts with R, ends with OROLLO→
54D
Weed user (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTOKER→
59D
Wheaton of “The Big Bang Theory” (3)
Starts with W, ends with LWIL→
61D
Penny name (3)
Starts with A, ends with EABE→
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 September 17, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Matt Gaffney and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: It shows only the face (HIJAB); Novel need (PLOT); Bread sources (ATMS).
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.
