WSJ Crossword hints and answers for August 26, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across36
Down42
TitleWhew!
Today’s WSJ 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
Fires (up) (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPSYCHS→
7A
Leaves aside? (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPILE→
14A
Open on Christmas, say (6)
Starts with U, ends with PUNWRAP→
15A
Speckled steed (4)
Starts with R, ends with NROAN→
16A
Sumac from Peru (3)
Starts with Y, ends with AYMA→
17A
Went helter-skelter (11)
Starts with R, ends with DRACEDAROUND→
19A
Central (3)
Starts with M, ends with DMID→
20A
Old-timey oath (4)
Starts with E, ends with DEGAD→
21A
Last Hebrew letter (3)
Starts with T, ends with VTAV→
22A
They’re larger than life (6)
Starts with G, ends with SGIANTS→
24A
Young hares (8)
Starts with L, ends with SLEVERETS→
26A
Name in strings (5)
Starts with A, ends with IAMATI→
30A
Music producer Gotti (3)
Starts with I, ends with VIRV→
31A
Police jacket letters (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSWAT→
35A
Island of Malaysia (6)
Starts with P, ends with GPENANG→
37A
Curvy doorway topper (8)
Starts with B, ends with HBELLARCH→
40A
“What a day!” (7)
Starts with A, ends with TAMIBEAT→
42A
Prepare for a comeback tour, perhaps (7)
Starts with R, ends with EREUNITE→
43A
Mars, Jupiter or Neptune (8)
Starts with R, ends with DROMANGOD→
45A
Amused sound (6)
Starts with T, ends with RTITTER→
46A
Old imperial title (4)
Starts with T, ends with RTSAR→
47A
Negroni spirit (3)
Starts with G, ends with NGIN→
49A
You might get down from them (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGEESE→
50A
Historical play by Christopher Marlowe (8)
Starts with E, ends with IEDWARDII→
54A
“The quality of mercy is not strained” speaker (6)
Starts with P, ends with APORTIA→
57A
Stirrup site (3)
Starts with E, ends with REAR→
62A
Academic domain (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEDU→
63A
“I hope so,” and an alternative title for this puzzle (11)
Starts with K, ends with DKNOCKONWOOD→
66A
Waits on stage (3)
Starts with T, ends with MTOM→
67A
Ready for publication (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEDIT→
68A
Not optional (6)
Starts with N, ends with DNEEDED→
69A
“Torso Fruit” sculptor (3)
Starts with A, ends with PARP→
70A
“Do the Right Thing” pizzeria (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSALS→
71A
Erotic (6)
Starts with S, ends with YSTEAMY→
Down
1D
Free of additives (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPURE→
2D
Planning problem (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSNAG→
3D
Org. with a “Week Without Violence” program (4)
Starts with Y, ends with AYWCA→
4D
Street rep (4)
Starts with C, ends with DCRED→
6D
Sudden outpouring (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPATE→
7D
Words of wisdom (7)
Starts with P, ends with BPROVERB→
8D
Note from a short person? (3)
Starts with I, ends with UIOU→
9D
Oscar winner for “Tootsie” and “Blue Sky” (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELANGE→
10D
Break up (5)
Starts with E, ends with TENDIT→
11D
Music for the masses? (4)
Starts with H, ends with NHYMN→
12D
Give off (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEMIT→
13D
Bundles of bills (4)
Starts with W, ends with SWADS→
18D
Sitar master Shankar (4)
Starts with R, ends with IRAVI→
23D
Armand of “American Gangster” (7)
Starts with A, ends with EASSANTE→
24D
Irish export (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLINEN→
25D
Airstream owner (4)
Starts with R, ends with RRVER→
26D
Distant (5)
Starts with A, ends with TAPART→
27D
Staff notes (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMEMOS→
28D
Inner self, to a Jungian (5)
Starts with A, ends with AANIMA→
29D
Upholstery fabric (7)
Starts with T, ends with TTABARET→
32D
Form letters? (5)
Starts with W, ends with EWRITE→
33D
Divisions d’un opéra (5)
Starts with A, ends with SACTES→
34D
“Done!” (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETHERE→
36D
Funny bit (3)
Starts with G, ends with GGAG→
38D
Court call (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLET→
39D
Mario’s brother (5)
Starts with L, ends with ILUIGI→
41D
Cato’s costume (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATOGA→
44D
Calls the shots (7)
Starts with D, ends with SDIRECTS→
48D
Sask. neighbor (4)
Starts with N, ends with KNDAK→
51D
Sea stoppers (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDIKES→
52D
Film fish (5)
Starts with W, ends with AWANDA→
53D
Clubs at clubs (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIRONS→
54D
Fur-fighting org. (4)
Starts with P, ends with APETA→
55D
Gas leak evidence (4)
Starts with O, ends with RODOR→
56D
Behind (4)
Starts with R, ends with PRUMP→
58D
Affectedly precious (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETWEE→
59D
“Impossible to see, the future is” speaker (4)
Starts with Y, ends with AYODA→
60D
Stressful work? (4)
Starts with P, ends with MPOEM→
61D
Whirling water (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEDDY→
64D
It can be refined (3)
Starts with O, ends with LOIL→
65D
Bottom line (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNET→
How to solve the WSJ Crossword
Fill the grid so every Across and Down answer matches its clue. The title hints at the theme, and on Fridays a final instruction asks for the meta answer. Our answer pages list every clue with its answer behind a reveal button.
Want the full method? Read our WSJ Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the WSJ Crossword on the hub.
WSJ Crossword tips for tomorrow
- Read the title first. WSJ titles are precise. They usually describe exactly how the theme entries are transformed.
- Solve Friday twice. Fill the grid, then look for a pattern in the theme entries that spells or points to the meta answer.
- Learn the editor's style. Mike Shenk favours tight wordplay. A clue that seems too literal probably has a second reading.
Done for today? Try NYT Crossword, LA Times Crossword, Newsday Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous WSJ Crossword puzzles
WSJ Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the WSJ Crossword for August 26, 2026?+
78 clues: 36 Across and 42 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Alan Olschwang and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Fires (up) (PSYCHS); Leaves aside? (PILE); Hack (HEW).
Who edits the WSJ Crossword?+
Mike Shenk has edited the Wall Street Journal Crossword since its launch.
Where can I find past WSJ Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all answers and a page per clue.
