WSJ Crossword hints and answers for September 29, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues72
Across34
Down38
TitleSwitching Seats
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
Hieroglyphic reptile (3)
Starts with A, ends with PASP→
4A
One Direction, for one (7)
Starts with P, ends with DPOPBAND→
11A
Kid’s call (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMAA→
14A
Skill practiced on dummies, briefly (3)
Starts with C, ends with RCPR→
15A
Predict (7)
Starts with F, ends with EFORESEE→
16A
“Still thinking...” (3)
Starts with U, ends with MUMM→
17A
Retro bath fixture (11)
Starts with C, ends with BCLAWFOOTTUB→
19A
“And how!” (3)
Starts with D, ends with IDOI→
20A
Sic on (5)
Starts with L, ends with TLETAT→
21A
Enjoying one’s third act (7)
Starts with R, ends with DRETIRED→
23A
Ingrédient de l’absinthe (4)
Starts with A, ends with SANIS→
24A
Jimmy Stewart for “Vertigo” and Ingrid Bergman for “Casablanca,” e.g. (10)
Starts with O, ends with SOSCARSNUBS→
27A
SSN, say (4)
Starts with I, ends with OIDNO→
28A
Type of AI at the heart of ChatGPT (3)
Starts with L, ends with MLLM→
29A
Wee annoyance (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGNAT→
30A
Mississippi symbols (13)
Starts with M, ends with SMAGNOLIATREES→
35A
Chart inspiration (3)
Starts with P, ends with EPIE→
36A
Common croissant filler (3)
Starts with H, ends with MHAM→
37A
Low-impact workout (13)
Starts with W, ends with SWATERAEROBICS→
44A
Fingerprint feature (4)
Starts with L, ends with PLOOP→
46A
Bit of perjury (3)
Starts with L, ends with ELIE→
47A
Jewish community org. (4)
Starts with Y, ends with AYMHA→
48A
They’re made with lean, deep red meat (10)
Starts with E, ends with SEMUBURGERS→
52A
Neeson of “Kinsey” (4)
Starts with L, ends with MLIAM→
53A
“Guilty mind,” in legalese (7)
Starts with M, ends with AMENSREA→
54A
“Danses Gothiques” composer (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESATIE→
55A
Vintage (3)
Starts with O, ends with DOLD→
56A
Hopelessly misguided, and a feature of five of this puzzle’s answers (11)
Starts with A, ends with DASSBACKWARD→
60A
Formerly known as (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENEE→
61A
Explorer who named Louisiana (7)
Starts with L, ends with ELASALLE→
62A
Drink that might contain bubbles without carbonation (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
63A
Since Jan. 1, on pay stubs (3)
Starts with Y, ends with DYTD→
64A
Bogged down (7)
Starts with S, ends with DSTYMIED→
65A
Big name in ice cream (3)
Starts with E, ends with YEDY→
Down
1D
Public praise (7)
Starts with A, ends with MACCLAIM→
2D
Yellow packet in a coffee shop (7)
Starts with S, ends with ASPLENDA→
3D
Blathering on (7)
Starts with P, ends with GPRATING→
4D
Scoffing sound (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPFFT→
5D
Worker’s “on vacation” initialism (3)
Starts with O, ends with OOOO→
6D
One who knows the ropes (3)
Starts with P, ends with OPRO→
7D
Get into the pool (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBET→
8D
Latin stars (5)
Starts with A, ends with AASTRA→
9D
Star German soccer goalkeeper Manuel (5)
Starts with N, ends with RNEUER→
10D
Borrowers’ burdens (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDEBTS→
11D
Obstacle course competitions for those who like things quick and dirty (7)
Starts with M, ends with SMUDRUNS→
12D
Creature on a slide (6)
Starts with A, ends with AAMOEBA→
13D
Surrounded by (6)
Starts with A, ends with TAMIDST→
18D
Killed it (5)
Starts with W, ends with NWASON→
22D
“Bus Stop” playwright (4)
Starts with I, ends with EINGE→
24D
Skate park stunt (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOLLIE→
25D
More deceitful (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSLIER→
26D
Org. that named Lainey Wilson Entertainer of the Year twice (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACMA→
31D
Choose (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOPT→
32D
That group’s (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTHEIR→
33D
Hard-to-find cards, to collectors (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRARES→
34D
Punk subgenre (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEMO→
38D
Important LAPD alerts (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPBS→
39D
Brewpub quaff (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
40D
League rule (5)
Starts with B, ends with WBYLAW→
41D
Knock off (7)
Starts with I, ends with EIMITATE→
42D
Headed up (7)
Starts with C, ends with DCHAIRED→
43D
Like some speedy deliveries (7)
Starts with S, ends with YSAMEDAY→
44D
Tart, in a way (6)
Starts with L, ends with YLEMONY→
45D
Frittata relative (6)
Starts with O, ends with TOMELET→
49D
Range separating Asia and Europe (5)
Starts with U, ends with SURALS→
50D
Moved to a table farther from the door, say (5)
Starts with R, ends with TRESAT→
51D
Inclined to verbosity (5)
Starts with G, ends with YGASSY→
54D
Agenda, for short (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSKED→
57D
“Take that!” (3)
Starts with B, ends with MBAM→
58D
Mahershala of “Moonlight” (3)
Starts with A, ends with IALI→
59D
Cavs, on scoreboards (3)
Starts with C, ends with ECLE→
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 29, 2026?+
72 clues: 34 Across and 38 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Ella Dershowitz and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Hieroglyphic reptile (ASP); One Direction, for one (POPBAND); Kid’s call (MAA).
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.
