WSJ Crossword hints and answers for September 20, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues80
Across37
Down43
TitleChill Out
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
Basketball tries (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSHOTS→
6A
Criminal, in cop slang (4)
Starts with P, ends with PPERP→
13A
Saw the sights (6)
Starts with T, ends with DTOURED→
15A
Shallowest Great Lake (4)
Starts with E, ends with EERIE→
16A
Letters at the end of a college email address (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEDU→
17A
Punctual (6)
Starts with O, ends with EONTIME→
18A
Pretend to know important people (8)
Starts with N, ends with PNAMEDROP→
20A
Bride’s promise (3)
Starts with I, ends with OIDO→
21A
Come up with a scheme (4)
Starts with P, ends with NPLAN→
23A
Cello’s cousin (5)
Starts with V, ends with AVIOLA→
24A
Like some colas (12)
Starts with C, ends with ECAFFEINEFREE→
28A
___ Major (constellation) (4)
Starts with U, ends with AURSA→
29A
Pot topper (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLID→
30A
Used to be (3)
Starts with W, ends with SWAS→
33A
Winter neck warmer (5)
Starts with S, ends with FSCARF→
36A
Joke around (3)
Starts with K, ends with DKID→
37A
Dollar division (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCENT→
38A
Tax inequity for joint filers (15)
Starts with M, ends with YMARRIAGEPENALTY→
42A
Love-a-thon (4)
Starts with O, ends with YORGY→
43A
Install, as carpeting (3)
Starts with L, ends with YLAY→
44A
Pointing finger (5)
Starts with I, ends with XINDEX→
45A
Earth: Prefix (3)
Starts with G, ends with OGEO→
46A
Daughter’s brother (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSON→
47A
It may be stored in bits and bytes (4)
Starts with D, ends with ADATA→
49A
Ted Danson sitcom about the afterlife (12)
Starts with T, ends with ETHEGOODPLACE→
54A
“March King” John Philip ___ (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASOUSA→
57A
Healthy smoothie ingredient (4)
Starts with A, ends with IACAI→
58A
“Weekend Update” co-anchor Michael (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECHE→
59A
Chill out, or a hint to the ends of 18-, 24-, 38- and 49-Across (8)
Starts with K, ends with KKICKBACK→
62A
Michael of “Better Call Saul” (6)
Starts with M, ends with NMCKEAN→
64A
In need of medication (3)
Starts with I, ends with LILL→
65A
Azure or indigo (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBLUE→
66A
Résumé listing (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSKILLS→
67A
Airport screening org. (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATSA→
68A
Knitter’s need (4)
Starts with Y, ends with NYARN→
69A
Winding, as a road (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSNAKY→
Down
1D
Restrained in response to distress (5)
Starts with S, ends with CSTOIC→
2D
Maker of Civics and Accords (5)
Starts with H, ends with AHONDA→
3D
No longer stocking (5)
Starts with O, ends with FOUTOF→
4D
Pod or angle starter (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITRI→
5D
Marine motto (8)
Starts with S, ends with ISEMPERFI→
6D
Pasta served “alla vodka” (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPENNE→
7D
Significant period (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
8D
Basketball net holder (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRIM→
9D
Irritated (6)
Starts with P, ends with DPEEVED→
11D
Fan club focus (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
12D
Cocoon’s contents (4)
Starts with P, ends with APUPA→
14D
Sandwich sellers (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDELIS→
19D
Monopoly cube (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDIE→
22D
Oscar nominee de Armas (3)
Starts with A, ends with AANA→
25D
Like many house pets (5)
Starts with F, ends with YFURRY→
26D
Fix up and resell quickly (4)
Starts with F, ends with PFLIP→
27D
Roller coaster or carousel (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERIDE→
30D
Fuse together (4)
Starts with W, ends with DWELD→
31D
Payment by a poker player (4)
Starts with A, ends with EANTE→
32D
“Come Sail Away” band (4)
Starts with S, ends with XSTYX→
33D
Some urban pollution (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSMOG→
34D
Be concerned (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECARE→
35D
Jason’s ship (4)
Starts with A, ends with OARGO→
36D
Shift or tab, say (3)
Starts with K, ends with YKEY→
37D
Site with locks (5)
Starts with C, ends with LCANAL→
39D
Lotion additive (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALOE→
40D
Work crew (4)
Starts with G, ends with GGANG→
41D
Critiques pettily (8)
Starts with N, ends with SNITPICKS→
46D
In disrepair (6)
Starts with S, ends with YSHABBY→
47D
One of Sneezy’s pals (3)
Starts with D, ends with CDOC→
48D
Second or sixth U.S. president (5)
Starts with A, ends with SADAMS→
49D
Tongue-clicking sound (3)
Starts with T, ends with KTSK→
50D
Like an old bucket in a poem (5)
Starts with O, ends with NOAKEN→
51D
Fast train between Washington and Boston (5)
Starts with A, ends with AACELA→
52D
Hopscotch need (5)
Starts with C, ends with KCHALK→
53D
Itty-bitty (5)
Starts with E, ends with YEENSY→
54D
Comedy sketch (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSKIT→
55D
Paints for Picasso (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOILS→
56D
The Bruins’ sch. (4)
Starts with U, ends with AUCLA→
60D
Chicken-king connection (3)
Starts with A, ends with AALA→
61D
Nasty pooch (3)
Starts with C, ends with RCUR→
63D
Relatives (3)
Starts with K, ends with NKIN→
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 20, 2026?+
80 clues: 37 Across and 43 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Kevin Christian & Andrea Carla Michaels and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Basketball tries (SHOTS); Criminal, in cop slang (PERP); Nada (ZIP).
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.
