USA Today Crossword hints and answers for October 23, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across41
Down37
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
Chitchat (3)
Starts with G, ends with BGAB→
4A
Doc with an otoscope (3)
Starts with E, ends with TENT→
7A
Scandalous ending? (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGATE→
11A
"You & I" singer Rita (3)
Starts with O, ends with AORA→
12A
"___ rue the day!" (5)
Starts with Y, ends with LYOULL→
15A
Spoken (4)
Starts with O, ends with LORAL→
16A
Place for sardines (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTIN→
17A
Think highly of (6)
Starts with E, ends with MESTEEM→
19A
Recycling centers? (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBINS→
20A
Annual pilgrimage to Mecca (4)
Starts with H, ends with JHAJJ→
22A
It's the absolute worst (10)
Starts with H, ends with EHOTGARBAGE→
24A
Small, plumlike fruit (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESLOE→
25A
Half of a huge cost? (3)
Starts with A, ends with MARM→
26A
Note between fa and la (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSOL→
27A
Roll of cash (3)
Starts with W, ends with DWAD→
29A
"That's well within our abilities!" (8)
Starts with Y, ends with NYESWECAN→
34A
Jigsaw puzzle part (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPIECE→
36A
"The Tell-Tale Heart" author (3)
Starts with P, ends with EPOE→
37A
Fundraising event, maybe (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGALA→
38A
Does more than just tear up (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBAWLS→
39A
Word after "top" or "perfect" (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTEN→
40A
Unserious (5)
Starts with J, ends with YJOKEY→
41A
October birthstone (4)
Starts with O, ends with LOPAL→
42A
Place to go in London? (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLOO→
43A
Cozy hotel amenities (5)
Starts with R, ends with SROBES→
44A
Place to begin a mountain ascent (8)
Starts with B, ends with PBASECAMP→
46A
Dwindle (3)
Starts with E, ends with BEBB→
47A
A driving need for some people (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGAS→
48A
Abbr. in many company names (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLTD→
50A
Research sites (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLABS→
54A
Feature activated by holding down a computer key (10)
Starts with A, ends with TAUTOREPEAT→
58A
The "grand slam" of showbiz awards, for short (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEGOT→
59A
Not looking good (4)
Starts with G, ends with MGRIM→
60A
Cute little crawler (6)
Starts with R, ends with TRUGRAT→
62A
Imitate (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAPE→
63A
Fairy tale monster (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOGRE→
64A
Goes through someone's stuff (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSNOOPS→
65A
"C'est la ___!" (3)
Starts with V, ends with EVIE→
66A
"Come on!" (4)
Starts with G, ends with ZGEEZ→
67A
Drink served by the Mad Hatter (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
68A
Info at JFK or LAX (3)
Starts with E, ends with DETD→
Down
1D
They wear black clothing and heavy eyeliner (5)
Starts with G, ends with SGOTHS→
2D
Popular font (5)
Starts with A, ends with LARIAL→
3D
Instrument in a bluegrass band (5)
Starts with B, ends with OBANJO→
4D
Hurricane's calm spot (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEYE→
5D
"I don't mean to insult anyone . . ." (7)
Starts with N, ends with ENOSHADE→
6D
Private teacher (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTUTOR→
7D
Fowl language? (12)
Starts with G, ends with EGOBBLEGOBBLE→
8D
Diva's performance (4)
Starts with A, ends with AARIA→
9D
Sharp taste (4)
Starts with T, ends with GTANG→
10D
Instead (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELSE→
13D
Moses' plea to Pharaoh (13)
Starts with L, ends with OLETMYPEOPLEGO→
14D
Half of a huge cost? (3)
Starts with L, ends with GLEG→
18D
En ___ (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMASSE→
21D
Groundbreaking writer and activist who cofounded GLAAD (12)
Starts with J, ends with ZJEWELLEGOMEZ→
23D
Part of a seating assignment (3)
Starts with R, ends with WROW→
28D
They help beat the heat (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with A, ends with SACS→
30D
Real long time (3)
Starts with E, ends with NEON→
31D
Candle holder? (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECAKE→
32D
Pub offerings (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALES→
33D
Vote against (3)
Starts with N, ends with YNAY→
34D
Smurf with a red hat (4)
Starts with P, ends with APAPA→
35D
"As ___ saying . . ." (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIWAS→
38D
Float up and down (3)
Starts with B, ends with BBOB→
39D
"The Odyssey" star Holland (3)
Starts with T, ends with MTOM→
42D
Light show components (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLASERS→
43D
Bureaucratic obstacle (7)
Starts with R, ends with EREDTAPE→
45D
Train segment (3)
Starts with C, ends with RCAR→
49D
Fortuneteller's deck (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTAROT→
51D
Tequila plant (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAGAVE→
52D
Toy that shouts commands at players (5)
Starts with B, ends with TBOPIT→
53D
Trusty mount (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSTEED→
54D
In awe (4)
Starts with A, ends with GAGOG→
55D
Hankering (4)
Starts with U, ends with EURGE→
56D
Grow weary (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETIRE→
57D
"How do aliens organize a party? They planet," e.g. (3)
Starts with P, ends with NPUN→
61D
Airport safety org. (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATSA→
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 23, 2026?+
78 clues: 41 Across and 37 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Chitchat (GAB); Doc with an otoscope (ENT); Scandalous ending? (GATE).
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.
