USA Today Crossword Answers Today
A Sharp Turn (Freestyle)
By Harry B Samuels
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USA Today Crossword Clues
Across
Down
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. Hornets, e.g. — Answer: WASPS. Hint: Stinging little flyers with a nasty reputation 🐝
- 6. Laundry detergent pouch — Answer: POD. Hint: A tiny pre-measured wash packet that dissolves in the machine 🫧
- 9. Run out — Answer: LAPSE. Hint: Something that quietly expires after its time is up ⏳
- 14. Wiped out — Answer: ATEIT. Hint: Gone in a flash, like a snack that disappeared too fast 🍽️
- 15. Anger — Answer: IRE. Hint: A fiery little feeling that flares up fast 🔥
- 16. Japanese dog breed mentioned in "La Vie Boheme" — Answer: AKITA. Hint: A sturdy northern pup with a loyal reputation, name-dropped in that bohemian Broadway number 🐕
- 17. Muppet who once yodeled while riding a motorized pogo stick — Answer: GONZO. Hint: The daredevil Muppet with a taste for absurd stunts and oddball music 🎪
- 18. Totally flip out — Answer: GOBANANAS. Hint: Go wildly over the top in a fruity way 🍌
- 20. Where to do a touchdown dance — Answer: ENDZONE. Hint: The celebratory shuffle happens in football’s scoring area 🏈
- 22. ___ Tacs — Answer: TIC. Hint: Tiny breath of minty freshness in a pocket-sized pack 🍬
- 23. Face shields and latex gloves, e.g. (Abbr.) — Answer: PPE. Hint: Gear meant to keep you safe while dealing with hazards 😊
- 24. Hard to get close to — Answer: ALOOF. Hint: Keeps people at arm’s length and seems a bit detached 🙂
- 26. Bring back from memory — Answer: RECALL. Hint: A mental rewind can do the trick when something slips away from you 🧠
- 28. Clog that might be worn in "sport mode" — Answer: CROC. Hint: A comfy slip-on that can go from backyard to active errands with a heel strap flipped back 👟
- 31. Snooze loudly — Answer: SNORE. Hint: What your pillow hears when you’re out cold 😴
- 33. The ___ of March — Answer: IDES. Hint: Famous warning day in Shakespeare’s calendar drama 📅
- 34. Drink like a cat — Answer: LAPUP. Hint: Sip in the daintiest, most feline way possible 🐱
- 36. Less civil — Answer: RUDER. Hint: More impolite than polite, in a comparative sort of way 🙂
- 38. Tweaks — Answer: EDITS. Hint: Small changes made to polish a draft or fix a detail ✏️
- 39. West Coast time zone, for short — Answer: PST. Hint: Think Pacific time, abbreviated the way calendars and clocks often do. 🕒
- 40. Neckwear worn by Gru in "Despicable Me" — Answer: SCARF. Hint: A cozy winter wrap like the one Gru rocks around his neck 😄
- 44. 1940 movie featuring classical music and Mickey Mouse — Answer: FANTASIA. Hint: Disney’s dreamy animated concert where Mickey gets a magical baton workout 🎼
- 46. Adorable person — Answer: CUTIE. Hint: A sweet little compliment for someone impossibly charming 😊
- 47. Redwood or pine — Answer: TREE. Hint: A tall woody perennial that keeps the forest shady 🌲
- 48. Home made of snow — Answer: IGLOO. Hint: A chilly little shelter that Eskimos traditionally call home ❄️
- 51. Sneaker string — Answer: LACE. Hint: What keeps a sneaker snug without being a sole focus? 👟
- 52. Some inline skates (and what two answers in this puzzle literally are) — Answer: ROLLERBLADES. Hint: Think of the wheeled footwear that glides down the street, and also the puzzle’s hidden theme in action. 🛼
- 55. Cannabis chemical — Answer: THC. Hint: The molecule that gives cannabis its buzz, tucked into three little letters 🌿
- 58. ___ constrictor — Answer: BOA. Hint: A famous snake that wraps its prey in a squeeze 🐍
- 59. Room entrance — Answer: DOOR. Hint: The part you open to step inside, not the whole room 🚪
- 60. "I'm super confused" — Answer: YOULOSTME. Hint: A perfect way to say you’ve completely lost the thread 😵
- 63. Neckwear worn by Fred in "Scooby-Doo" — Answer: ASCOT. Hint: A dapper neck accessory that gives Fred his signature look in the Mystery Machine gang 😊
- 67. Blender option — Answer: PUREE. Hint: A silky result from the blender, perfect for soups or baby food. 🥣
- 68. RoboHop Double ___ (craft beer) — Answer: IPA. Hint: A hoppy brew that often shows up in the craft beer aisle 🍺
- 69. Regional animal life — Answer: FAUNA. Hint: Wildlife that belongs to a particular area 🐾
- 70. "Wheels" on a gingerbread car, perhaps — Answer: OREOS. Hint: A cookie brand that could double as playful little tires on a sweet ride 🍪
- 71. Stanley Cup org. — Answer: NHL. Hint: The league where hockey’s biggest trophy is won 🏒
- 72. Collect dust? — Answer: SWEEP. Hint: What you do to the floor when you’d rather not let the dust settle there 🧹
Down
- 1. Hourly pay — Answer: WAGE. Hint: What you earn for each hour on the clock 💵
- 2. Oodles — Answer: ATON. Hint: A whole heap of it, in compact form. 🫶
- 3. Transmit — Answer: SEND. Hint: Pass it along to someone else 📤
- 4. Kitchen tool for slicing a pie — Answer: PIZZACUTTER. Hint: A handy wheel that turns pizza night into neat wedges 🍕
- 5. Seat at a bar — Answer: STOOL. Hint: A simple perch for sipping while you stand nearby 🍸
- 6. Bird sometimes called the rock dove — Answer: PIGEON. Hint: The city slicker of the bird world, often seen strutting around plazas 🕊️
- 7. Spanish for "gold" — Answer: ORO. Hint: A shiny treasure word you’d hear in Spain ✨
- 8. Money owed — Answer: DEBT. Hint: What you still have to pay back after borrowing some cash 💸
- 9. Jousting spear — Answer: LANCE. Hint: A knight’s pointy tournament weapon 🌟
- 10. Donald Glover ___ Childish Gambino — Answer: AKA. Hint: A different name used by the same person 😊
- 11. Numeric panel beside a card reader — Answer: PINPAD. Hint: A little number-tapping sidekick for paying by card 💳
- 12. Essential item — Answer: STAPLE. Hint: A pantry basic you’d miss if it ran out at the worst moment 📎
- 13. Art studio stands — Answer: EASELS. Hint: They hold canvases upright while the paint dries 🎨
- 19. Was broadcast — Answer: AIRED. Hint: It was sent out over the airwaves for everyone to catch 📡
- 21. Denials — Answer: NOS. Hint: What you might shout when you’re turning something down. 🙅
- 25. On the market — Answer: FORSALE. Hint: Available to buy rather than already owned 🏷️
- 27. Woodworking tool — Answer: CIRCULARSAW. Hint: It spins in a perfect loop to slice lumber cleanly. 🪚
- 28. Chin indentation — Answer: CLEFT. Hint: A little split in the chin that gives the face some character 🙂
- 29. Airplane-tracking tool — Answer: RADAR. Hint: It bounces signals off things to help pilots and controllers see what’s nearby ✈️
- 30. Share a thought — Answer: OPINE. Hint: Offer your viewpoint on the matter 😊
- 32. Dull routine — Answer: RUT. Hint: A bland groove you fall into without thinking 🛣️
- 35. Awareness-raising ad — Answer: PSA. Hint: A brief public message meant to inform or warn everyone 📢
- 37. Key that acts as an "ejector seat" — Answer: ESC. Hint: The little key that sends you out of a full-screen view with a quick escape hatch 🚪
- 39. "Ancay ouyay eakspay igpay atinlay?" language — Answer: PIGLATIN. Hint: The playful tongue that turns ordinary speech into a secret code 😄
- 41. Not much — Answer: ATAD. Hint: Sometimes, it's just a little bit! 🌟
- 42. Nigiri base — Answer: RICE. Hint: The little grains that hold sushi together 🍚
- 43. Added costs — Answer: FEES. Hint: Extra charges that show up on the bill 💸
- 45. Grain buildings — Answer: SILOS. Hint: Tall farm towers that keep the harvest safe and dry 🌾
- 49. Rigmarole — Answer: ORDEAL. Hint: A long, unpleasant hassle that tests your patience 😣
- 50. "I'm willing to negotiate," for short — Answer: OBO. Hint: A quick way to say both sides are on the table 😊
- 53. Some woodwind instruments — Answer: OBOES. Hint: A pair of reedy orchestra voices that like to sing in harmony 🎶
- 54. Lounges like an unbothered cat — Answer: LOAFS. Hint: Plops down with zero urgency, like a cat claiming the couch 😼
- 55. Keyboard goof — Answer: TYPO. Hint: A tiny slip of the fingers that changes a word in a snap ⌨️
- 56. Happy ___ (bar event) — Answer: HOUR. Hint: A cheerful time to gather for drinks and chatter 🍹
- 57. Remedy — Answer: CURE. Hint: A fix for what ails you, in a neat little package 💊
- 61. Zodiac lion — Answer: LEO. Hint: The proud cat of the horoscope takes center stage 🦁
- 62. Speed limit letters — Answer: MPH. Hint: The little road sign abbreviation you see when talking miles per hour 🚗
- 64. Actor's signal — Answer: CUE. Hint: A little prompt that tells the performer it’s their turn to shine 🎭
- 65. "First of all . . ." — Answer: ONE. Hint: A way to begin by naming the very first item 😊
- 66. Faucet — Answer: TAP. Hint: A handy little fixture that lets the water flow on command 🚰
Looking for today's USA Today Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated July 27, 2026 — is at the top of this page, updated the moment the new grid goes live. The USA Today crossword is free, themed, and refreshingly modern, which has made it one of the most-played daily puzzles in the country. Whether you want to check a finished grid, unlock one stubborn square, or see the whole answer key, every across and down solution is listed below.
Full USA Today Crossword answer list for today
Every clue from today's grid next to its solution — the same answers as the board above, in one plain list you can scan without tapping.
Across
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hornets, e.g. | WASPS |
| 6 | Laundry detergent pouch | POD |
| 9 | Run out | LAPSE |
| 14 | Wiped out | ATEIT |
| 15 | Anger | IRE |
| 16 | Japanese dog breed mentioned in "La Vie Boheme" | AKITA |
| 17 | Muppet who once yodeled while riding a motorized pogo stick | GONZO |
| 18 | Totally flip out | GOBANANAS |
| 20 | Where to do a touchdown dance | ENDZONE |
| 22 | ___ Tacs | TIC |
| 23 | Face shields and latex gloves, e.g. (Abbr.) | PPE |
| 24 | Hard to get close to | ALOOF |
| 26 | Bring back from memory | RECALL |
| 28 | Clog that might be worn in "sport mode" | CROC |
| 31 | Snooze loudly | SNORE |
| 33 | The ___ of March | IDES |
| 34 | Drink like a cat | LAPUP |
| 36 | Less civil | RUDER |
| 38 | Tweaks | EDITS |
| 39 | West Coast time zone, for short | PST |
| 40 | Neckwear worn by Gru in "Despicable Me" | SCARF |
| 44 | 1940 movie featuring classical music and Mickey Mouse | FANTASIA |
| 46 | Adorable person | CUTIE |
| 47 | Redwood or pine | TREE |
| 48 | Home made of snow | IGLOO |
| 51 | Sneaker string | LACE |
| 52 | Some inline skates (and what two answers in this puzzle literally are) | ROLLERBLADES |
| 55 | Cannabis chemical | THC |
| 58 | ___ constrictor | BOA |
| 59 | Room entrance | DOOR |
| 60 | "I'm super confused" | YOULOSTME |
| 63 | Neckwear worn by Fred in "Scooby-Doo" | ASCOT |
| 67 | Blender option | PUREE |
| 68 | RoboHop Double ___ (craft beer) | IPA |
| 69 | Regional animal life | FAUNA |
| 70 | "Wheels" on a gingerbread car, perhaps | OREOS |
| 71 | Stanley Cup org. | NHL |
| 72 | Collect dust? | SWEEP |
Down
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hourly pay | WAGE |
| 2 | Oodles | ATON |
| 3 | Transmit | SEND |
| 4 | Kitchen tool for slicing a pie | PIZZACUTTER |
| 5 | Seat at a bar | STOOL |
| 6 | Bird sometimes called the rock dove | PIGEON |
| 7 | Spanish for "gold" | ORO |
| 8 | Money owed | DEBT |
| 9 | Jousting spear | LANCE |
| 10 | Donald Glover ___ Childish Gambino | AKA |
| 11 | Numeric panel beside a card reader | PINPAD |
| 12 | Essential item | STAPLE |
| 13 | Art studio stands | EASELS |
| 19 | Was broadcast | AIRED |
| 21 | Denials | NOS |
| 25 | On the market | FORSALE |
| 27 | Woodworking tool | CIRCULARSAW |
| 28 | Chin indentation | CLEFT |
| 29 | Airplane-tracking tool | RADAR |
| 30 | Share a thought | OPINE |
| 32 | Dull routine | RUT |
| 35 | Awareness-raising ad | PSA |
| 37 | Key that acts as an "ejector seat" | ESC |
| 39 | "Ancay ouyay eakspay igpay atinlay?" language | PIGLATIN |
| 41 | Not much | ATAD |
| 42 | Nigiri base | RICE |
| 43 | Added costs | FEES |
| 45 | Grain buildings | SILOS |
| 49 | Rigmarole | ORDEAL |
| 50 | "I'm willing to negotiate," for short | OBO |
| 53 | Some woodwind instruments | OBOES |
| 54 | Lounges like an unbothered cat | LOAFS |
| 55 | Keyboard goof | TYPO |
| 56 | Happy ___ (bar event) | HOUR |
| 57 | Remedy | CURE |
| 61 | Zodiac lion | LEO |
| 62 | Speed limit letters | MPH |
| 64 | Actor's signal | CUE |
| 65 | "First of all . . ." | ONE |
| 66 | Faucet | TAP |
Today's USA Today Crossword answers
Today's solution appears above, split into Across and Down just as the puzzle numbers them. If you only need one word, each answer is listed separately so you can reveal the clue that's blocking you and keep solving the rest. The grid is confirmed and refreshed daily as soon as USA Today publishes it, so this is always the fastest place to check today's answers.
About the USA Today Crossword
The USA Today crossword is a free daily puzzle edited by Erik Agard, a celebrated constructor known for making crosswords more welcoming and inclusive. Unlike the older broadsheet puzzles, USA Today deliberately features contemporary vocabulary, diverse names and references, and a bright, modern voice — every puzzle is themed, and the themes are consistently clever without being cruel. It's a mid-size grid, quicker than the full NYT or LA Times, and it's earned a devoted following precisely because it feels fresh and fair rather than stuffy.
What makes the USA Today puzzle different
The biggest surprise for solvers coming from other papers is that USA Today doesn't follow the usual week-long difficulty ramp:
| USA Today | NYT / LA Times | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty curve | Consistent every day | Ramps through the week |
| Theme | Every puzzle is themed | Themed early week, themeless late |
| Vocabulary | Modern, inclusive, current | More traditional |
| Cost | Free | NYT paid; LA Times free |
| Editor | Erik Agard | Will Shortz / Patti Varol |
Tips for solving the USA Today Crossword
- Find the theme. Every USA Today puzzle is themed, and the long theme answers usually share a pattern — crack one and the others often follow.
- Lean on modern references. If a traditional-sounding answer isn't fitting, the intended answer is probably more contemporary — a current name, phrase, or bit of pop culture.
- Fill the blanks first. Fill-in-the-blank clues are fast points and give you crossing letters everywhere.
- Trust the crossings. A clue you can't get alone almost always falls once its crossing words are in.
- Use the solver for one answer. Our crossword solver reveals a single clue's answer from your known letters, without spoiling the rest.
Browse past USA Today answers
Every previous USA Today puzzle is archived on this page by date, with its complete across and down solutions. It's the quickest way to check yesterday's grid, revisit a theme you enjoyed, or find a clue that stumped you. The archive updates automatically each day — today's answers roll into it as the next puzzle publishes — so it stays complete without spoiling the current day.
Browse more puzzles on the crossword solver, or use it to crack any clue from any publication.
Frequently asked questions
What are today's USA Today Crossword answers?
The full Across and Down solution for today's puzzle (July 27, 2026) is listed at the top of this page, updated as soon as it's released.
Is the USA Today Crossword free?
Yes — it's free to play online every day, and our answers and clues are free too.
Does the USA Today Crossword get harder through the week?
No — unlike the NYT, it keeps a consistent, accessible difficulty every day. What changes daily is the theme, not the toughness.
How do I reveal just one answer?
Each answer is listed separately here, or use the crossword solver to reveal a single clue's answer from your known letters.
Where can I find past USA Today answers?
Every previous puzzle is in the archive on this page, listed by date with full solutions, updated automatically each day.