WSJ Crossword hints and answers for September 21, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
TitleVariety Pack
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
Chunk of granite (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSLAB→
5A
“Paradise Lost” tempter (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSATAN→
10A
Debate side (3)
Starts with P, ends with OPRO→
13A
Romance writer Roberts (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANORA→
14A
Political pamphlet (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTRACT→
15A
Cambodia neighbor (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLAOS→
16A
High vantage point (10)
Starts with L, ends with HLOFTYPERCH→
18A
Like some vaccines (4)
Starts with O, ends with LORAL→
19A
Duck or chicken piece (6)
Starts with B, ends with TBREAST→
20A
First course, for short (5)
Starts with I, ends with OINTRO→
21A
Share on social media (6)
Starts with R, ends with TREPOST→
24A
Like an old mattress (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSAGGY→
26A
“Just doing my job” (4)
Starts with I, ends with YITRY→
27A
Windy City trains (3)
Starts with E, ends with SELS→
30A
Tooth projections (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCUSPS→
32A
Game with captures and checks (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCHESS→
34A
Japanese spitz breed (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAKITA→
36A
Lobed organ (3)
Starts with E, ends with REAR→
38A
Toronto’s prov. (3)
Starts with O, ends with TONT→
39A
Enters via a keyboard, and (with an added apostrophe) a hint to this puzzle’s theme (7)
Starts with T, ends with NTYPESIN→
41A
Bear, in Spanish (3)
Starts with O, ends with OOSO→
42A
Request in blackjack (3)
Starts with H, ends with THIT→
43A
Financial review (5)
Starts with A, ends with TAUDIT→
44A
It comes before beta (5)
Starts with A, ends with AALPHA→
46A
Suspicious sort (5)
Starts with C, ends with CCYNIC→
48A
Cribbage jack (3)
Starts with N, ends with BNOB→
50A
Cheers at a bullfight (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOLES→
51A
Finds a spot in a lot (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPARKS→
53A
Get into the market (6)
Starts with I, ends with TINVEST→
55A
Sunflower supporters (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEMS→
57A
Total beginner (6)
Starts with N, ends with ENEWBIE→
60A
Melody (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETUNE→
61A
Writing tool shaped like a pickle, e.g. (10)
Starts with N, ends with NNOVELTYPEN→
65A
Rustic stopovers (4)
Starts with I, ends with SINNS→
66A
Pickling liquid (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBRINE→
67A
Eight, in Italian (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOTTO→
68A
Tropicana Field player (3)
Starts with R, ends with YRAY→
69A
Druids, e.g. (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCELTS→
70A
Previously owned (4)
Starts with U, ends with DUSED→
Down
1D
“Weekend Update” show, for short (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSNL→
2D
Bathroom, in Brisbane (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLOO→
3D
Boxer’s warning (3)
Starts with A, ends with FARF→
4D
Diamond gofers (7)
Starts with B, ends with SBATBOYS→
5D
Tropicana Field locale, familiarly (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESTPETE→
6D
About 31,700 square miles, for Lake Superior (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAREA→
7D
Does some road repair (4)
Starts with T, ends with STARS→
8D
They have nos. at banks (5)
Starts with A, ends with SACCTS→
9D
Indefinite degree (3)
Starts with N, ends with HNTH→
10D
Nightlife enthusiasts (11)
Starts with P, ends with EPARTYPEOPLE→
11D
Crowd noise (4)
Starts with R, ends with RROAR→
12D
City with an opera house next to a fjord (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOSLO→
15D
Yearns (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLONGS→
17D
Cal. spans (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYRS→
20D
Lizard with a dewlap (6)
Starts with I, ends with AIGUANA→
21D
Maker of ScanSnap scanners (5)
Starts with R, ends with HRICOH→
22D
Of a particular race or culture (6)
Starts with E, ends with CETHNIC→
23D
Tidy sum (11)
Starts with P, ends with YPRETTYPENNY→
25D
Broadway opening (4)
Starts with A, ends with IACTI→
28D
Org. in “The Rookie” (4)
Starts with L, ends with DLAPD→
29D
Bundle of yarn (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSKEIN→
31D
Places for scouts’ merit badges (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSASHES→
33D
Flight features (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTAIRS→
35D
What an analogy colon means (4)
Starts with I, ends with OISTO→
37D
Tribute with many put-downs (5)
Starts with R, ends with TROAST→
40D
“That’s disgusting!” (4)
Starts with Y, ends with KYUCK→
45D
Parting words before ending a call (7)
Starts with L, ends with ULOVEYOU→
47D
Choices for parents-to-be (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNAMES→
49D
Books with cross references? (6)
Starts with B, ends with SBIBLES→
52D
“Bo-o-oring!” (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESNORE→
54D
Trivial complaint (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNIT→
55D
Show signs of waking up (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSTIR→
56D
Makeup of some cat food (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATUNA→
58D
Not good at all (4)
Starts with E, ends with LEVIL→
59D
Headed out (4)
Starts with W, ends with TWENT→
61D
Network for 1-Down (3)
Starts with N, ends with CNBC→
62D
Scoreboard amts. (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPTS→
63D
Summer, in Martinique (3)
Starts with E, ends with EETE→
64D
Silent approval (3)
Starts with N, ends with DNOD→
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 September 21, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Zhouqin Burnikel and edited by Mike Shenk.
What are some answers in today’s WSJ Crossword?+
For example: Chunk of granite (SLAB); “Paradise Lost” tempter (SATAN); Debate side (PRO).
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.
