Guardian Cryptic Crossword
Guardian Cryptic Crossword Answers & Hints - October 20, 2026
Work through the 2026-10-20 Guardian Cryptic grid at your own pace. Select a square, reveal one answer, or check the completed crossword when you need it.
Editorially checked for the puzzle.
Puzzle date
October 20, 2026
Search Crossword Solver
Verified puzzle answer data is available for this published grid.
Click a square to reveal its letter. Get hints below.
Revealed 0 of 162 squares (0%).
Clue index
All Across and Down clues
Across
1.Maiden to depart mansion and ask about coats7 letters5.Retired bachelor to play cricket during quiet day off7 letters9.Tense card game discarding hearts? That’s unexpected5 letters10.Lug leg iron around lacking oxygen is hard to endure9 letters11.Trade documentaries aim to leave without a partner10 letters12.Select condiment the French left out4 letters14.19 animal swiped by one?12 letters18.The press reporting how a government lawyer might act?12 letters21.Animals: Pink Floyd’s musical masterpiece ends in excitement4 letters22.Location of music stand _10 letters25.… and themed cryptic for those sentenced to suffer9 letters26.In two seconds president ditches in Scotland5 letters27.Cunning US car going by railway7 letters28.PC D?7 letters
Down
1.Masterly, say, like the Tate Modern?6 letters2.Cook green ravioli to start6 letters3.Express kind of lorry dropping off floor10 letters4.Drug money5 letters5.Perhaps case about gravy9 letters6.Labour leader supports party over poster4 letters7.Sailor: I can rise, framed by moon from the beginning8 letters8.Stimulation from coke and coffee generates dancer’s move8 letters13.Dreams of cool relaxing siestas10 letters15.Publicity, for example Reagan being with child9 letters16.Influenced camp8 letters17.Part of ship where Marvel Avenger sleeps, according to Spooner8 letters19.Corrupt cop takes a shilling away in bag6 letters20.Botch clue for ‘wets’6 letters23.Stopped as repaired bonnet’s fallen off5 letters24.Stock exchange index rejects dollar over American future4 letters
About this crossword
Solve Guardian Cryptic without losing the thread
Daily cryptic clues with wordplay-focused answer help. The grid preserves the original Across and Down numbering, including linked clue references where supplied.
Use a single-letter reveal for a gentle nudge. Each clue also has a stable detail page, and dated links let you return to earlier verified puzzles without changing the answer shown for this date.
Common questions
Guardian Cryptic answer FAQ
Are these answers for October 20, 2026?
Yes. The page date comes from the puzzle record itself, including weekly titles and sources that do not publish every day.
Can I reveal only one clue?
Yes. Select an Across or Down clue, then reveal individual letters or the complete entry without opening the rest of the grid.