USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 19, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
DayMonday
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
Foam shoe with 13 holes (4)
Starts with C, ends with CCROC→
5A
Strikebreakers, sometimes (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSCABS→
10A
Become taller (4)
Starts with G, ends with WGROW→
14A
Very, very (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOHSO→
15A
Geoje Island's region (5)
Starts with K, ends with AKOREA→
16A
Currency in Bulgaria, as of 2026 (4)
Starts with E, ends with OEURO→
17A
"Expect to be reprimanded soon" (15)
Starts with Y, ends with WYOUREINFORITNOW→
20A
Match, like song BPMs (4)
Starts with S, ends with CSYNC→
21A
Takes home the gold (4)
Starts with W, ends with SWINS→
22A
"Drove my Chevy to the ___, but the ___ was dry" (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELEVEE→
25A
Sun Devils' sch. (3)
Starts with A, ends with UASU→
27A
Skewered snack (5)
Starts with K, ends with BKEBAB→
31A
Way out (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEXIT→
32A
Most NASCAR racetrack shapes (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOVALS→
34A
Something topped with cilantro, perhaps (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTACO→
35A
Ride-hailing app tech (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGPS→
36A
Distressed (7)
Starts with F, ends with LFRETFUL→
38A
Baby goat (3)
Starts with K, ends with DKID→
39A
Protruding navel (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOUTIE→
43A
Eat it up! (11)
Starts with A, ends with DAIRLINEFOOD→
47A
"The Handmaid's ___" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETALE→
49A
Where the sand meets the sea (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHORE→
53A
Large coffee container (3)
Starts with U, ends with NURN→
54A
Gymnast's garment (7)
Starts with L, ends with DLEOTARD→
56A
Salonga who provided the singing voice for Jasmine (3)
Starts with L, ends with ALEA→
57A
Extent (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCOPE→
59A
Faux ___ (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPAS→
60A
Apple tablets (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIPADS→
62A
Settle matters once and for all (15)
Starts with H, ends with YHAVETHEFINALSAY→
65A
"Aha moment" output (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIDEA→
66A
Cobra pose, for one (5)
Starts with A, ends with AASANA→
67A
Sinigang vegetable (4)
Starts with O, ends with AOKRA→
68A
Slippery fish (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEELS→
69A
Lettuce-grabbing tool (5)
Starts with T, ends with STONGS→
70A
Used to be (3)
Starts with W, ends with SWAS→
Down
1D
Shy, but not really (3)
Starts with C, ends with YCOY→
2D
Letter after pi (3)
Starts with R, ends with ORHO→
3D
Buckeyes' sch. (3)
Starts with O, ends with UOSU→
4D
Period costume piece in "Six" or "Hamilton" (6)
Starts with C, ends with TCORSET→
5D
Sunscreen target (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSKIN→
6D
Like a bowl's shape (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECONCAVE→
7D
Dog's sound (3)
Starts with A, ends with FARF→
8D
Old English epic poem whose title character fights Grendel (7)
Starts with B, ends with FBEOWULF→
9D
Red outfit at a wedding (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISARI→
10D
"On your mark, ___, go!" (6)
Starts with G, ends with TGETSET→
11D
Compete in a 10K (3)
Starts with R, ends with NRUN→
12D
Gold, in Spanish (3)
Starts with O, ends with OORO→
13D
:O reaction, on Facebook (3)
Starts with W, ends with WWOW→
18D
Visine drop target (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEYE→
19D
Tattoo liquid (3)
Starts with I, ends with KINK→
22D
One of a tripod's three (3)
Starts with L, ends with GLEG→
23D
Trade show (4)
Starts with E, ends with OEXPO→
24D
Story-heavy video game genre (11)
Starts with V, ends with LVISUALNOVEL→
26D
Plopped on a beanbag (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSAT→
28D
Cold dessert named after a state (11)
Starts with B, ends with ABAKEDALASKA→
29D
Base's chemical opposite (4)
Starts with A, ends with DACID→
30D
Out-of-___ experience (4)
Starts with B, ends with YBODY→
32D
End of an ultimatum (6)
Starts with O, ends with EORELSE→
33D
Banzai Pipeline rider (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSURFER→
36D
Douglas ___ (3)
Starts with F, ends with RFIR→
37D
Feline zodiac sign (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLEO→
40D
5-5, e.g. (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETIE→
42D
Tool for a spill (3)
Starts with M, ends with PMOP→
44D
"Fingers crossed!" (7)
Starts with I, ends with OIHOPESO→
45D
"I prefer something different" (7)
Starts with N, ends with NNOTAFAN→
46D
Getting a clean slate? (7)
Starts with E, ends with GERASING→
47D
Bum-bum (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETUSHIE→
48D
Place with claw games (6)
Starts with A, ends with EARCADE→
51D
Fragrant evergreens (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCEDARS→
52D
2010 Emma Stone comedy (5)
Starts with E, ends with AEASYA→
54D
"___ me see . . ." (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLET→
55D
___ de los Reyes Magos (3)
Starts with D, ends with ADIA→
58D
Spherical veggies (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPEAS→
61D
Snow-clearing vehicle (4)
Starts with P, ends with WPLOW→
63D
Headwear doffed or tipped (3)
Starts with H, ends with THAT→
64D
___ational ___cademy of ___ciences (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNAS→
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 19, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Foam shoe with 13 holes (CROC); Strikebreakers, sometimes (SCABS); Become taller (GROW).
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.
