USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 22, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
DayThursday
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
Cover removed at a pump (6)
Starts with G, ends with PGASCAP→
7A
It'll do for the present (3)
Starts with B, ends with WBOW→
10A
Mother of a spotted newborn (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDOE→
13A
Pacific weather phenomenon (6)
Starts with E, ends with OELNINO→
14A
Insect circling a lamp (4)
Starts with M, ends with HMOTH→
15A
Coffee dispenser (3)
Starts with U, ends with NURN→
16A
18+ people (6)
Starts with A, ends with SADULTS→
17A
Book for a lazy afternoon (8)
Starts with E, ends with DEASYREAD→
19A
Latvia's biggest city (4)
Starts with R, ends with ARIGA→
20A
Puts away some leftovers? (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEATS→
22A
Shouts (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYELLS→
23A
Polite refusal (5)
Starts with N, ends with RNOSIR→
25A
Theater scenery (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSET→
26A
Light touches (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPATS→
28A
Edible stem with holes (9)
Starts with L, ends with TLOTUSROOT→
33A
Yuzu or satsuma, e.g. (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCITRUS→
35A
___ Lanka (3)
Starts with S, ends with ISRI→
36A
State south of Lake Erie (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOHIO→
37A
___ gobi (curry dish) (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALOO→
38A
"Stranger Things" actor Sean (5)
Starts with A, ends with NASTIN→
40A
"One Day Only" event (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESALE→
41A
Microscope part (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLENS→
42A
Day, in Spanish (3)
Starts with D, ends with ADIA→
43A
Record labels? (6)
Starts with G, ends with SGENRES→
45A
Opposites of pragmatists (9)
Starts with I, ends with SIDEALISTS→
48A
Must have (4)
Starts with N, ends with DNEED→
49A
Home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, for short (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUAE→
50A
"The Gram" (5)
Starts with I, ends with AINSTA→
52A
Parcel of land (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTRACT→
55A
Sport with frequent horse changes (4)
Starts with P, ends with OPOLO→
56A
Mario ___ World (4)
Starts with K, ends with TKART→
60A
"You owe me nothing now" (8)
Starts with W, ends with NWEREEVEN→
62A
Response to "am not" (6)
Starts with A, ends with OARETOO→
64A
Artist Applebroog (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIDA→
65A
Lust and pride, for two (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSINS→
66A
Country singer Dolly (6)
Starts with P, ends with NPARTON→
67A
Squishy lump (3)
Starts with G, ends with BGOB→
68A
Time for family reunions (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTET→
69A
___ seed bun (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESESAME→
Down
1D
Cyclist's selection (4)
Starts with G, ends with RGEAR→
2D
"Twice as Nice Guarantee" grocer (4)
Starts with A, ends with IALDI→
3D
Warm and cozy (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSNUG→
4D
Green, herby drizzle on a taco (13)
Starts with C, ends with ECILANTROSAUCE→
5D
Insect that builds hills (3)
Starts with A, ends with TANT→
6D
Prepares for a selfie (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPOSES→
7D
Constricting snakes (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBOAS→
8D
Extra NHL periods (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOTS→
9D
"But of course!" (6)
Starts with W, ends with SWHYYES→
10D
One-on-one sword fight (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDUEL→
11D
Like a spelling bee response (4)
Starts with O, ends with LORAL→
12D
Concludes (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENDS→
14D
Dots on some transit maps (13)
Starts with M, ends with SMETROSTATIONS→
18D
Footwear with an old-school vibe (13)
Starts with R, ends with SRETROSNEAKERS→
21D
Feel poorly (3)
Starts with A, ends with LAIL→
24D
The NCAA's Buckeyes (3)
Starts with O, ends with UOSU→
25D
Taking to court (5)
Starts with S, ends with GSUING→
26D
Like hay bales in a barn (5)
Starts with P, ends with DPILED→
27D
Do penance (5)
Starts with A, ends with EATONE→
29D
Swim-bike-run race, for short (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITRI→
30D
Midwest hub with a Hall of Flags (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOHARE→
31D
Prepped a skillet, perhaps (5)
Starts with O, ends with DOILED→
32D
Digits that help with balance (4)
Starts with T, ends with STOES→
33D
Death Valley's state, for short (4)
Starts with C, ends with ICALI→
34D
"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" actress Sink (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESADIE→
39D
Alana, to Este Haim, for short (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSIS→
44D
Doc who treats sinusitis (3)
Starts with E, ends with TENT→
46D
Most recent (6)
Starts with L, ends with TLATEST→
47D
NBC show in its 52nd season (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSNL→
51D
Wet bars? (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSOAPS→
52D
Support for a nest egg? (4)
Starts with T, ends with GTWIG→
53D
Second attempt (4)
Starts with R, ends with OREDO→
54D
Like most Jordanians (4)
Starts with A, ends with BARAB→
55D
___-up energy (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPENT→
57D
Puri flour (4)
Starts with A, ends with AATTA→
58D
Section of the Clue board (4)
Starts with R, ends with MROOM→
59D
Vocal quality crucial to Mandarin pronunciation (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETONE→
61D
Compete (3)
Starts with V, ends with EVIE→
63D
"Addison" singer Addison (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERAE→
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 22, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Cover removed at a pump (GASCAP); It'll do for the present (BOW); Mother of a spotted newborn (DOE).
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.
