USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 21, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues77
Across36
Down41
DayWednesday
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
Syrup source (3)
Starts with S, ends with PSAP→
4A
Some soft drinks in "Cola War" ads (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCOKES→
9A
"Cool!" (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRAD→
13A
Puff up (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSWELL→
14A
The "A" in UAE (4)
Starts with A, ends with BARAB→
16A
Traditional Thanksgiving dessert (10)
Starts with P, ends with EPUMPKINPIE→
18A
"Present!" (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHERE→
19A
Emerged (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAROSE→
20A
Like high prices (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSTEEP→
22A
Wanda Maximoff ___ Scarlet Witch (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAKA→
23A
Treats, like a violin bow (6)
Starts with R, ends with SROSINS→
25A
Family member who enjoys chasing a red dot of light (6)
Starts with P, ends with TPETCAT→
27A
Tolkien's "Shepherds of the Trees" (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENTS→
28A
Stab of hunger (4)
Starts with P, ends with GPANG→
32A
Japanese game similar to chess (5)
Starts with S, ends with ISHOGI→
33A
Funny business? (5)
Starts with H, ends with RHUMOR→
34A
Military trainee (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCADET→
35A
Fudgelike Southern confections with nuts (13)
Starts with P, ends with SPECANPRALINES→
39A
Surgery beam (5)
Starts with L, ends with RLASER→
40A
Horse feature (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMANE→
41A
Caribou feature (6)
Starts with A, ends with RANTLER→
43A
Cloak-and-___ (6)
Starts with D, ends with RDAGGER→
49A
Word following "quilting" or "spelling" (3)
Starts with B, ends with EBEE→
50A
Artemis I org. (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANASA→
54A
Lying face-down (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPRONE→
55A
Dish containing fruits simmered in spiced wine, perhaps (12)
Starts with P, ends with SPOACHEDPEARS→
58A
Indiana basketball player (5)
Starts with P, ends with RPACER→
61A
"Don't trip on the ___ root" (lyric on the "Moana" soundtrack) (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTARO→
62A
___ vera (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALOE→
63A
Make ecstatic (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELATE→
64A
Title for a Kuwaiti leader (4)
Starts with E, ends with REMIR→
65A
Spot for a 16-Across or a 25-Across (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSILL→
66A
Hereditary units (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGENES→
67A
Consider (4)
Starts with D, ends with MDEEM→
68A
SPEAK LIKE THIS (4)
Starts with Y, ends with LYELL→
Down
1D
Get the ick from, perhaps (6)
Starts with S, ends with NSOURON→
2D
"Just about there!" (6)
Starts with A, ends with TALMOST→
3D
Some soft drinks in "Cola War" ads (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPEPSIS→
4D
Forensics franchise (3)
Starts with C, ends with ICSI→
7D
Designer Saab (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELIE→
8D
Be out, but not about (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSLEEP→
9D
Cheerleader's word (3)
Starts with R, ends with HRAH→
10D
Local figure? (8)
Starts with A, ends with EAREACODE→
11D
Era before the Renaissance (8)
Starts with D, ends with SDARKAGES→
12D
Tire in the trunk (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPARE→
15D
"Scram!" (6)
Starts with B, ends with TBEATIT→
17D
Ryan Gosling's "Barbie" role (3)
Starts with K, ends with NKEN→
21D
Fish-related surname (5)
Starts with P, ends with IPESCI→
24D
Created, like a web (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSPUN→
26D
"Better late ___ never" (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTHAN→
29D
Clock radio toggle (4)
Starts with A, ends with MAMPM→
30D
Writer Ephron (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANORA→
31D
Nickname for Mom's mom (4)
Starts with G, ends with NGRAN→
33D
Rabbit's relative (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHARE→
35D
No ___, No Gain (punny name for a window company) (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPANE→
36D
East, in Spanish (4)
Starts with E, ends with EESTE→
37D
Cartoon frame (3)
Starts with C, ends with LCEL→
38D
Was ahead (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLED→
39D
Chocolate dog (3)
Starts with L, ends with BLAB→
42D
Messenger ___ (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARNA→
44D
Lex, e.g. (3)
Starts with A, ends with PAPP→
45D
___ spoon (unpretentious restaurant) (6)
Starts with G, ends with YGREASY→
46D
Soccer player who uses their hands (6)
Starts with G, ends with EGOALIE→
47D
Sign up (6)
Starts with E, ends with LENROLL→
48D
List on eBay, say (6)
Starts with R, ends with LRESELL→
51D
Played a part (5)
Starts with A, ends with DACTED→
52D
"That's a ___" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHAME→
53D
Eagle's nest (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAERIE→
55D
"___ the Cat" (children's book series) (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPETE→
56D
Mining targets (4)
Starts with O, ends with SORES→
57D
Campus quarters (4)
Starts with D, ends with MDORM→
58D
String instrument's tuning pin (3)
Starts with P, ends with GPEG→
59D
Pub staple (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
60D
Campbell's Soup container (3)
Starts with C, ends with NCAN→
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 21, 2026?+
77 clues: 36 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Syrup source (SAP); Some soft drinks in "Cola War" ads (COKES); "Cool!" (RAD).
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.
