WSJ Crossword hints and answers for October 26, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across35
Down43
TitleJust for Kicks
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
Critical comment (3)
Starts with D, ends with GDIG→
4A
Casual farewell (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATATA→
8A
Passing notes? (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOBITS→
13A
Noted etiquette expert (9)
Starts with E, ends with TEMILYPOST→
16A
Ham’s device (5)
Starts with R, ends with ORADIO→
17A
*Business owners with no partners (15)
Starts with S, ends with SSOLEPROPRIETORS→
19A
Ridiculous (5)
Starts with I, ends with EINANE→
20A
Give in to gravity (3)
Starts with S, ends with GSAG→
21A
Queen of the Nile, familiarly (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCLEO→
22A
Lawn mower brand (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTORO→
25A
Challenge for movers (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASOFA→
27A
Guitarist’s clamp (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCAPO→
30A
*Yankees and Red Sox, e.g. (10)
Starts with A, ends with SARCHRIVALS→
35A
Pub potables (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALES→
36A
Astronaut Jemison (3)
Starts with M, ends with EMAE→
37A
Escort from the door (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSEEIN→
38A
Joined the marathon (3)
Starts with R, ends with NRAN→
39A
*Colorful play area (7)
Starts with B, ends with TBALLPIT→
42A
Participate in a biathlon (3)
Starts with S, ends with ISKI→
43A
Prenatal test, for short (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAMNIO→
45A
“Tubular!,” more recently (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLIT→
46A
Not single-sex (4)
Starts with C, ends with DCOED→
47A
*Comply (10)
Starts with T, ends with ETOETHELINE→
50A
Cathedral recess (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAPSE→
51A
Skywalker’s friend (4)
Starts with S, ends with OSOLO→
52A
Abu Dhabi dignitary (4)
Starts with E, ends with REMIR→
54A
Returned call? (4)
Starts with E, ends with OECHO→
57A
Answer to the Sphinx’s riddle (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMAN→
59A
Pub projectiles (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDARTS→
63A
React quickly, and advice for answering the starred clues (15)
Starts with T, ends with TTHINKONYOURFEET→
67A
Pink drink, informally (5)
Starts with C, ends with OCOSMO→
68A
Ability to perceive things (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESENTIENCE→
69A
Firetruck connectors (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHOSES→
70A
Tight ends? (4)
Starts with T, ends with STEES→
71A
Bit of resistance (3)
Starts with O, ends with MOHM→
Down
1D
Lucy’s 1950s co-star (4)
Starts with D, ends with IDESI→
2D
“That was my cue!” (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIMON→
3D
Tributary of the Colorado River (4)
Starts with G, ends with AGILA→
4D
Universal donor’s designation (5)
Starts with T, ends with OTYPEO→
5D
Mar. follower (3)
Starts with A, ends with RAPR→
6D
Overly (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTOO→
7D
Egyptian vipers (4)
Starts with A, ends with SASPS→
8D
Mined-over matter (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
9D
Lair under Wayne Manor (7)
Starts with B, ends with EBATCAVE→
10D
Object of adoration (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
11D
Makeshift swing (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETIRE→
12D
Unremarkable (4)
Starts with S, ends with OSOSO→
14D
Slow passages (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLENTOS→
15D
Severely criticize (5)
Starts with T, ends with HTRASH→
18D
Lab assistant of film (4)
Starts with I, ends with RIGOR→
23D
Hindu hero (4)
Starts with R, ends with ARAMA→
24D
By mouth (4)
Starts with O, ends with LORAL→
26D
Word before bump or pump (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFIST→
27D
Gemologist’s measure (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCARAT→
28D
San Antonio landmark (5)
Starts with A, ends with OALAMO→
29D
Tubular pasta (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPENNE→
31D
Relatives of violas (5)
Starts with C, ends with ICELLI→
32D
“The Fox and the Grapes” writer (5)
Starts with A, ends with PAESOP→
33D
Metric on social media (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLIKES→
34D
Rudely sarcastic (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESNIDE→
39D
___-chic (style of the mid-2000s) (4)
Starts with B, ends with OBOHO→
40D
Freshener scent (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPINE→
41D
Object (4)
Starts with I, ends with MITEM→
44D
“My treat” (7)
Starts with I, ends with EITSONME→
46D
Wine container (6)
Starts with C, ends with ECARAFE→
48D
Orange-nosed Muppet (4)
Starts with E, ends with OELMO→
49D
Bank offerings (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLOANS→
53D
Elba of “The Wire” (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIDRIS→
54D
Scratch the surface? (4)
Starts with E, ends with HETCH→
55D
Shoe designer Jimmy (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCHOO→
56D
Sound from an angry cat (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHISS→
58D
Russian refusal (4)
Starts with N, ends with TNYET→
60D
Gambling spot near Lake Tahoe (4)
Starts with R, ends with ORENO→
61D
Apple’s industry (4)
Starts with T, ends with HTECH→
62D
Pipe part (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSTEM→
64D
37 of Ali’s 56 wins, for short (3)
Starts with K, ends with SKOS→
65D
Early afternoon hour (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
66D
Salt Lake City athlete (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUTE→
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 October 26, 2026?+
78 clues: 35 Across and 43 Down. The puzzle was constructed by AJ Phillips and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Critical comment (DIG); Casual farewell (TATA); Passing notes? (OBITS).
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.
