WSJ Crossword September 25, 2026 Answers and Explanations
The Wall Street Journal crossword for September 25, 2026, “Rounding Error,” is a Friday puzzle by Jem Burch with 140 clues on a 21×21 grid. Friday is the Journal’s contest puzzle, so beyond filling the grid there is a hidden meta answer to deduce from the finished solution. The longest entry is CHOCOLATESCUFFLE at 16 letters.
Every answer is listed below in grid order, Across first and then Down, with a short explanation of how the entry sits in the grid. Use the Definition link under any entry to pull the dictionary meaning of the answer word, or click the clue to open its own page with past appearances and neighboring clues.
Across
1 Across is SPEAK, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with K, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
6 Across is SHALE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Across is AMC, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with A and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
14 Across is SPRY, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with S and ends with Y, with 0 vowels among its 4 letters.
18 Across is ERASE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 1. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
19 Across is FELID, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 7. It begins with F and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
20 Across is LOOM, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 13. It begins with L and ends with M, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
22 Across is ERIE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 2, column 18. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
23 Across is DESERTCASES, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 1. It begins with D and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 11 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
25 Across is ALLEYCOPS, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 3, column 13. It begins with A and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
27 Across is ASTANA, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 1. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
28 Across is DALE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 8. It begins with D and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
29 Across is TORO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 14. It begins with T and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
30 Across is OPS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 4, column 19. It begins with O and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
31 Across is NEE, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 1. It begins with N and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
32 Across is CHOCOLATESCUFFLE, a 16-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 5, column 6. It begins with C and ends with E, with 6 vowels among its 16 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
37 Across is STRIP, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 1. It begins with S and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
40 Across is ANEW, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 7. It begins with A and ends with W, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
41 Across is URNS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 12. It begins with U and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
42 Across is USES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 6, column 18. It begins with U and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
43 Across is NBATV, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 3. It begins with N and ends with V, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
45 Across is BRA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with B and ends with A, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
46 Across is ISLE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 7, column 15. It begins with I and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
49 Across is INGOT, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 4. It begins with I and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
51 Across is ELIS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 10. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
52 Across is MELBA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 8, column 16. It begins with M and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
55 Across is QUIZZICALLOCK, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with Q and ends with K, with 5 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
59 Across is MADEIRA, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 9, column 15. It begins with M and ends with A, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
61 Across is ALGAE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 1. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
62 Across is SOSO, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 8. It begins with S and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
63 Across is IOC, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 14. It begins with I and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
64 Across is DANL, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 10, column 18. It begins with D and ends with L, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
65 Across is TSO, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 1. It begins with T and ends with O, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
66 Across is ROCKIEMISTAKE, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 5. It begins with R and ends with E, with 6 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
72 Across is NET, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 11, column 19. It begins with N and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
73 Across is ATTA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 1. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
75 Across is DOS, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 6. It begins with D and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
76 Across is BTUS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 11. It begins with B and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
77 Across is XACTO, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 12, column 17. It begins with X and ends with O, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
79 Across is RETRAIN, a 7-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 1. It begins with R and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
81 Across is OVERNIGHTCATS, a 13-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with O and ends with S, with 4 vowels among its 13 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
85 Across is RACKS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 2. It begins with R and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
86 Across is MIRY, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 9. It begins with M and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
87 Across is NOIRE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 14, column 14. It begins with N and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
88 Across is TATA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 4. It begins with T and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
90 Across is EGG, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 9. It begins with E and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
91 Across is OPALS, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 15, column 15. It begins with O and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
93 Across is RAMI, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with R and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
96 Across is MAGI, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 7. It begins with M and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
98 Across is BAES, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 12. It begins with B and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
101 Across is SATIN, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 16, column 17. It begins with S and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
104 Across is ELECTRICALCUTLET, a 16-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 1. It begins with E and ends with T, with 6 vowels among its 16 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
109 Across is ANA, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 17, column 19. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
110 Across is ATT, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 1. It begins with A and ends with T, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
111 Across is MALE, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 5. It begins with M and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
112 Across is AREA, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 11. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
113 Across is REALTY, a 6-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 18, column 16. It begins with R and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
116 Across is CHICSTATE, a 9-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 1. It begins with C and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
119 Across is CROPCIRCLES, a 11-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 19, column 11. It begins with C and ends with S, with 3 vowels among its 11 letters.
121 Across is TEND, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 1. It begins with T and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
122 Across is STIR, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 6. It begins with S and ends with R, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
123 Across is HOUSE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 11. It begins with H and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
124 Across is ARENA, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 20, column 17. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
125 Across is SAGS, a 4-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
126 Across is ECG, a 3-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 7. It begins with E and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
127 Across is ESTEE, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 11. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
128 Across is TEDDY, a 5-letter entry that runs left to right starting in row 21, column 17. It begins with T and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
Down
1 Down is SEDANS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 1. It begins with S and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
2 Down is PRESET, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 2. It begins with P and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
3 Down is EASTERN, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 3. It begins with E and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
4 Down is ASEA, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 4. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 4 letters.
5 Down is KERN, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 5. It begins with K and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
6 Down is SFC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 7. It begins with S and ends with C, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters.
7 Down is HEADON, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 8. It begins with H and ends with N, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
8 Down is ALSACE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 9. It begins with A and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
9 Down is LIELOW, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 10. It begins with L and ends with W, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
10 Down is EDSEL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 11. It begins with E and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
11 Down is ALA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 13. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
12 Down is MOLTEN, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 14. It begins with M and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
13 Down is COLOSSI, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 15. It begins with C and ends with I, with 3 vowels among its 7 letters.
14 Down is SEC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 18. It begins with S and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
15 Down is PROOFS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 19. It begins with P and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
16 Down is RIPPLE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 20. It begins with R and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
17 Down is YESSES, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 1, column 21. It begins with Y and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
21 Down is MERC, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 2, column 16. It begins with M and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
24 Down is TAC, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 6. It begins with T and ends with C, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
26 Down is YOU, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 3, column 17. It begins with Y and ends with U, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
33 Down is HAVOC, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 7. It begins with H and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
34 Down is AURIC, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 12. It begins with A and ends with C, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
35 Down is TRASK, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 13. It begins with T and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
36 Down is FUELED, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 5, column 18. It begins with F and ends with D, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
38 Down is IBIZA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 4. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
39 Down is PANZER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 6, column 5. It begins with P and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
44 Down is TGI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 6. It begins with T and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
45 Down is BLOOMBERG, a 9-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 11. It begins with B and ends with G, with 3 vowels among its 9 letters.
47 Down is SMACK, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 16. It begins with S and ends with K, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
48 Down is LED, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 7, column 17. It begins with L and ends with D, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
50 Down is TASKS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 8. It begins with T and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 5 letters.
51 Down is ELSE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 10. It begins with E and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
53 Down is BIANCA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 19. It begins with B and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
54 Down is ARNETT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 8, column 20. It begins with A and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
55 Down is QATAR, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 1. It begins with Q and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
56 Down is ULSTER, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 2. It begins with U and ends with R, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
57 Down is IGOTTA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 3. It begins with I and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
58 Down is LOI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 9. It begins with L and ends with I, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
59 Down is MOA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 15. It begins with M and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
60 Down is ALTOS, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 9, column 21. It begins with A and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
63 Down is ITSIN, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 10, column 14. It begins with I and ends with N, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
67 Down is ODIST, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 6. It begins with O and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
68 Down is CON, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 7. It begins with C and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
69 Down is ITRY, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 12. It begins with I and ends with Y, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
70 Down is SUN, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 13. It begins with S and ends with N, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
71 Down is EXTRAS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 11, column 17. It begins with E and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
74 Down is ARCTIC, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 4. It begins with A and ends with C, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
78 Down is ACELA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 12, column 18. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
80 Down is AKA, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 5. It begins with A and ends with A, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters.
81 Down is OMEGA, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 9. It begins with O and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
82 Down is VIGIL, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 10. It begins with V and ends with L, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
83 Down is GOOSE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 15. It begins with G and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 5 letters.
84 Down is HIP, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 13, column 16. It begins with H and ends with P, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
89 Down is AMILATE, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 7. It begins with A and ends with E, with 4 vowels among its 7 letters.
92 Down is STALLED, a 7-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 15, column 19. It begins with S and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 7 letters.
93 Down is REACTS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 1. It begins with R and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. A clue phrased this way asks for the category that the example belongs to.
94 Down is ALTHEA, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 2. It begins with A and ends with A, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
95 Down is METING, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 3. It begins with M and ends with G, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
97 Down is ACETIC, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 8. It begins with A and ends with C, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
98 Down is BURROS, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 12. It begins with B and ends with S, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
99 Down is ATEOUT, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 13. It begins with A and ends with T, with 4 vowels among its 6 letters.
100 Down is ELAPSE, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 14. It begins with E and ends with E, with 3 vowels among its 6 letters.
102 Down is INTEND, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 20. It begins with I and ends with D, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
103 Down is NAYSAY, a 6-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 16, column 21. It begins with N and ends with Y, with 2 vowels among its 6 letters.
105 Down is TMS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 5. It begins with T and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
106 Down is RATS, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 6. It begins with R and ends with S, with 1 vowel among its 4 letters.
107 Down is CACHE, a 5-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 11. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 5 letters.
108 Down is TRI, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 17, column 16. It begins with T and ends with I, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters. The shortening cue in the clue tells you to expect an abbreviation or initials.
114 Down is ERAT, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 17. It begins with E and ends with T, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
115 Down is ACRE, a 4-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 18, column 18. It begins with A and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 4 letters.
117 Down is CDS, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 4. It begins with C and ends with S, with 0 vowels among its 3 letters. A plural clue takes a plural answer, which is why the entry ends in S.
118 Down is ERG, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 9. It begins with E and ends with G, with 1 vowel among its 3 letters.
120 Down is CEE, a 3-letter entry that runs top to bottom starting in row 19, column 15. It begins with C and ends with E, with 2 vowels among its 3 letters. The question mark signals wordplay, so read the clue as a pun rather than literally.
About this puzzle
This Friday grid contains 67 Across and 73 Down entries, with 82 black squares. Friday is the Journal’s contest puzzle, so beyond filling the grid there is a hidden meta answer to deduce from the finished solution.
Prefer to solve it yourself first? The homepage lists every clue for the latest puzzle without answers, and the archive covers every WSJ crossword in our index by date. The official puzzle is published on the WSJ Puzzles page.