USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 16, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across35
Down43
DayFriday
Today’s USA Today 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
Bake sale org. (3)
Starts with P, ends with APTA→
4A
Daytime dramas (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSOAPS→
9A
Get a whiff of this! (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSCENT→
14A
Shape used to describe storylines (3)
Starts with A, ends with CARC→
15A
Like needs that have not yet been fulfilled (5)
Starts with U, ends with TUNMET→
16A
Like a piano that's performance-ready (5)
Starts with T, ends with DTUNED→
17A
Protected lands for flora and fauna (15)
Starts with N, ends with SNATUREPRESERVES→
20A
Notice that solicits an online RSVP (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEVITE→
21A
They have many i-opening products (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAPPLE→
22A
On air (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELIVE→
23A
Spitting images? (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLLAMAS→
26A
Get the ___ of the land (3)
Starts with L, ends with YLAY→
29A
NNW's opposite (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESSE→
30A
Pirate's haul (5)
Starts with B, ends with YBOOTY→
31A
Oliver Twist's request for another helping (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMORE→
32A
Long-necked bird resembling a heron (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECRANE→
33A
Curtains (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDRAPES→
35A
Pull-apart dairy snack (12)
Starts with S, ends with ESTRINGCHEESE→
39A
Gives three stars to, say (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRATES→
40A
Site that features cast lists (4)
Starts with I, ends with BIMDB→
41A
Carried (5)
Starts with T, ends with DTOTED→
42A
Hair goo (3)
Starts with G, ends with LGEL→
45A
Friendship garland (3)
Starts with L, ends with ILEI→
46A
Post-gym refreshment? (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSHOWER→
48A
Assistant (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAIDE→
49A
Kicks with swooshes (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNIKES→
51A
"From the top!" (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAGAIN→
52A
Fifes and flutes (15)
Starts with W, ends with SWINDINSTRUMENTS→
57A
Liberated (5)
Starts with F, ends with DFREED→
58A
Use the pink end of a pencil (5)
Starts with E, ends with EERASE→
59A
From head to ___ (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETOE→
60A
Throngs (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHERDS→
61A
Accord, e.g. (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSEDAN→
62A
Soon-to-be grads (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSRS→
Down
1D
Groups of conference presenters (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPANELS→
2D
NFL tight end Kelce (6)
Starts with T, ends with STRAVIS→
3D
Like a Discord user who posts a lot (6)
Starts with A, ends with EACTIVE→
4D
Unwavering (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESURE→
5D
Beat that the downbeat is usually on (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
6D
Metal box? (3)
Starts with A, ends with PAMP→
7D
According to (3)
Starts with P, ends with RPER→
8D
Like love scenes in movies (6)
Starts with S, ends with YSTEAMY→
9D
Fitness-tracking units (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEPS→
10D
Bicep exercise (4)
Starts with C, ends with LCURL→
11D
Something for an Oscar presenter to open (8)
Starts with E, ends with EENVELOPE→
12D
Once named (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENEE→
13D
Causes for end zone celebrations (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with T, ends with STDS→
18D
Native of Colorado (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUTE→
19D
Place to enjoy a mud bath (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASPA→
23D
Sources of student debt (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLOANS→
25D
Had a serving of humble pie (7)
Starts with A, ends with WATECROW→
27D
Is for many? (3)
Starts with A, ends with EARE→
28D
"Say ___ to the Dress" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYES→
30D
"Captain Marvel" actress Larson (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBRIE→
31D
___ media (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMASS→
32D
Baby's bed (4)
Starts with C, ends with BCRIB→
33D
Scare off (5)
Starts with D, ends with RDETER→
34D
Plant that can help filter water (4)
Starts with R, ends with DREED→
36D
Meal eaten in front of the small screen (8)
Starts with T, ends with RTVDINNER→
37D
Feel extremely negatively toward (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHATE→
38D
"Cool" amount (3)
Starts with M, ends with LMIL→
41D
Chucks (6)
Starts with T, ends with STOSSES→
42D
Eli Manning's former team (6)
Starts with G, ends with SGIANTS→
43D
Person who improves clarity and tone (6)
Starts with E, ends with REDITOR→
44D
Some telescopes have these at both ends (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLENSES→
46D
Slips and slides (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSKIDS→
47D
Certain roost-er (3)
Starts with H, ends with NHEN→
48D
Stone ___ ("The Flintstones" era) (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAGE→
50D
Checked a license at the door (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIDED→
51D
"Heck, yeah!" (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAMEN→
52D
Join a Zoom meeting while wearing PJs, say (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with W, ends with HWFH→
54D
Uno + due (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETRE→
55D
"So awesome!" (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRAD→
56D
Alysa Liu's team (3)
Starts with U, ends with AUSA→
How to solve the USA Today Crossword
Fill the grid so every Across and Down answer matches its clue. The title explains the theme. Our answer pages list every clue with its answer behind a reveal button, and link to an individual page for each clue.
Want the full method? Read our USA Today Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the USA Today Crossword on the hub.
USA Today Crossword tips for tomorrow
- The title is the theme. USA Today titles describe the theme plainly. Reread it once you have one long answer.
- Expect modern references. Agard's puzzles feature recent music, film and internet culture more than most newspapers.
- Solve the short fill fast. Difficulty is even all week, so three- and four-letter crossings are reliable gimmes.
Done for today? Try LA Times Crossword, Newsday Crossword, NYT Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous USA Today Crossword puzzles
USA Today Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the USA Today Crossword for October 16, 2026?+
78 clues: 35 Across and 43 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Bake sale org. (PTA); Daytime dramas (SOAPS); Get a whiff of this! (SCENT).
Who edits the USA Today Crossword?+
Erik Agard has edited the USA Today Crossword since 2020.
Where can I find past USA Today Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all answers and a page per clue.
