USA Today Crossword Answers Today

Markdowns

By Matthew Luter

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Across

  1. 1Semisolid precipitationSLUSH
  2. 6Crochet or macrameCRAFT
  3. 11Sticky note brandPOSTIT
  4. 13Sports cars with horse logosFERRARIS
  5. 16Like a joke understood by fewINSIDE
  6. 17Cause a temperature warning on a phoneOVERHEAT
  7. 18Reduce the power of, in gamingNERF
  8. 19Scatter aroundSTREW
  9. 21History textbook unitERA
  10. 22Some steak ordersFILETS
  11. 24Settle upREPAY
  12. 26BookishLITERARY
  13. 29CassetteTAPE
  14. 30Yoga poseASANA
  15. 31They have a big E at the topEYECHARTS
  16. 35Word after "T." or "Oedipus"REX
  17. 36Any of 150 Biblical songsPSALM
  18. 37Promise to settle up laterIOU
  19. 38Cashless payment toolDEBITCARD
  20. 41"Beautiful Things" singer BensonBOONE
  21. 43Steals fromROBS
  22. 44RequiredDEMANDED
  23. 46They generate interestLOANS
  24. 48"Squid Game" or "My Golden Life"KDRAMA
  25. 49Smile's shapeARC
  26. 50Bigfoot or GodzillaBEAST
  27. 51"10/10, no notes," for exampleRAVE
  28. 55Pastry treats on sticksCAKEPOPS
  29. 58Beach day container full of iceCOOLER
  30. 60Like November, among the months of the yearELEVENTH
  31. 61Back-baring topHALTER
  32. 62Virginia, for oneSTATE
  33. 63Doesn't succeedFLOPS

Down

  1. 1Alternative to "solve" or "buy a vowel," on "Wheel of Fortune"SPIN
  2. 2SolitaryLONE
  3. 3Letters on pre-1991 mapsUSSR
  4. 4Become less flexibleSTIFFEN
  5. 5Started a game of SardinesHID
  6. 6Workers on a shipCREW
  7. 7Movie with the song "Naatu Naatu"RRR
  8. 8Ooh and ___AAH
  9. 9Portion of the day during which teachers don't actually get downtimeFREEPERIOD
  10. 10Wonder Woman's headwearTIARA
  11. 12Edison rival NikolaTESLA
  12. 13Running test at the NFL combineFORTYYARDDASH
  13. 14Holiday precedersEVES
  14. 15"Don't leave!"STAY
  15. 20WNBA great WeatherspoonTERESA
  16. 23"This American Life" host GlassIRA
  17. 24"Go, team!"RAH
  18. 25Anti-pollution org.EPA
  19. 26Fat in some piecrustsLARD
  20. 27"Understood"ISEE
  21. 28Income range considered by the IRSTAXBRACKET
  22. 29"31 Days of Oscar" channelTCM
  23. 32Respected seniorsELDERS
  24. 33Vocal qualityTONE
  25. 34Took to courtSUED
  26. 36Mac alternativesPCS
  27. 39Charged particleION
  28. 40Channel with "Modern Family" rerunsTBS
  29. 41"Pow!"BAM
  30. 42In the midst of a hot streakONAROLL
  31. 45Success on a dating appMATCH
  32. 46Fabric full of holesLACE
  33. 47Some doctoral examsORALS
  34. 48RetainedKEPT
  35. 50What a radius is and a diameter is notBONE
  36. 52Range above tenorALTO
  37. 53Selina Meyer sitcomVEEP
  38. 54Goofs upERRS
  39. 56Actress LongoriaEVA
  40. 57Odie or Garfield, to JonPET
  41. 59Clumsy typeOAF

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Semisolid precipitation — Answer: SLUSH. Hint: Think of the messy, half-melted stuff that can fall from a winter sky or build up on the road. 🌨️
  2. 6. Crochet or macrame — Answer: CRAFT. Hint: These hands-on projects turn loops and knots into something creative 🧶
  3. 11. Sticky note brand — Answer: POSTIT. Hint: This familiar office-supply brand turns quick reminders into little adhesive squares 🗒️
  4. 13. Sports cars with horse logos — Answer: FERRARIS. Hint: These Italian speedsters are known for their iconic prancing-horse badges. 🐎
  5. 16. Like a joke understood by few — Answer: INSIDE. Hint: Shared mainly among people who know the backstory 🤫
  6. 17. Cause a temperature warning on a phone — Answer: OVERHEAT. Hint: Make the phone get dangerously hot enough to trigger an alert. 🌡️
  7. 18. Reduce the power of, in gaming — Answer: NERF. Hint: A game update might do this to an overpowered weapon. 🎮
  8. 19. Scatter around — Answer: STREW. Hint: To spread things loosely across an area is to do this. 🌱
  9. 21. History textbook unit — Answer: ERA. Hint: A chapter of the past defined by its own notable events and trends 📚
  10. 22. Some steak orders — Answer: FILETS. Hint: These menu choices are tender cuts of beef, often grilled to order. 🥩
  11. 24. Settle up — Answer: REPAY. Hint: Clear the balance by giving back what you owe 💸
  12. 26. Bookish — Answer: LITERARY. Hint: Describes something related to books, authors, or reading 📚
  13. 29. Cassette — Answer: TAPE. Hint: A compact case for recorded music that you might rewind with a pencil 🎶
  14. 30. Yoga pose — Answer: ASANA. Hint: It's a term often associated with stretching and mindfulness in a calm environment. 🧘
  15. 31. They have a big E at the top — Answer: EYECHARTS. Hint: You might read one of these during a vision test. 👀
  16. 35. Word after "T." or "Oedipus" — Answer: REX. Hint: Think of the title shared by a famous dinosaur and a tragic king. 🦖
  17. 36. Any of 150 Biblical songs — Answer: PSALM. Hint: Think of a devotional song found in the Bible’s hymnbook. 📖
  18. 37. Promise to settle up later — Answer: IOU. Hint: A brief written acknowledgment that you owe someone money fits this clue perfectly 📝
  19. 38. Cashless payment tool — Answer: DEBITCARD. Hint: A bank-issued card that lets you pay directly from your checking account 💳
  20. 41. "Beautiful Things" singer Benson — Answer: BOONE. Hint: This singer shares a surname with legendary frontiersman Daniel. 🤠
  21. 43. Steals from — Answer: ROBS. Hint: Takes another person’s belongings unlawfully. 🕵️
  22. 44. Required — Answer: DEMANDED. Hint: It describes something insisted upon rather than merely suggested. 📌
  23. 46. They generate interest — Answer: LOANS. Hint: They let you access money now, with a little extra owed in return later. 💰
  24. 48. "Squid Game" or "My Golden Life" — Answer: KDRAMA. Hint: These Korean television hits belong to a hugely popular genre of serialized storytelling 📺
  25. 49. Smile's shape — Answer: ARC. Hint: Think of the simple curve traced by a happy grin 😊
  26. 50. Bigfoot or Godzilla — Answer: BEAST. Hint: Think of a fearsome creature from legends and monster movies. 👾
  27. 51. "10/10, no notes," for example — Answer: RAVE. Hint: It’s an enthusiastic expression of approval. 🌟
  28. 55. Pastry treats on sticks — Answer: CAKEPOPS. Hint: Think of bite-sized frosted desserts served like lollipops 🍭
  29. 58. Beach day container full of ice — Answer: COOLER. Hint: It keeps your drinks and snacks chilled while you soak up the sun. 🧊
  30. 60. Like November, among the months of the year — Answer: ELEVENTH. Hint: It comes right after October in the calendar lineup. 🗓️
  31. 61. Back-baring top — Answer: HALTER. Hint: This stylish top ties around the neck while leaving much of the back uncovered. 👗
  32. 62. Virginia, for one — Answer: STATE. Hint: Virginia is an example of this kind of political division. 🗺️
  33. 63. Doesn't succeed — Answer: FLOPS. Hint: It describes something that fails to achieve its intended result. 😕

Down

  1. 1. Alternative to "solve" or "buy a vowel," on "Wheel of Fortune" — Answer: SPIN. Hint: On this game show, contestants choose this action to set the wheel in motion before guessing. 🎡
  2. 2. Solitary — Answer: LONE. Hint: Think of being all by yourself with no company. 🧍
  3. 3. Letters on pre-1991 maps — Answer: USSR. Hint: Think of the abbreviation used for the Soviet Union before its 1991 breakup 🗺️
  4. 4. Become less flexible — Answer: STIFFEN. Hint: Think of a joint or material growing more rigid over time. 🪵
  5. 5. Started a game of Sardines — Answer: HID. Hint: You kicked off this hiding game by finding a secret spot first 🫣
  6. 6. Workers on a ship — Answer: CREW. Hint: These seafaring helpers keep the vessel running smoothly. ⚓
  7. 7. Movie with the song "Naatu Naatu" — Answer: RRR. Hint: This Telugu blockbuster features the Oscar-winning dance anthem “Naatu Naatu.” 🎬
  8. 8. Ooh and ___ — Answer: AAH. Hint: Complete this excited little exclamation with its matching sound. 😮
  9. 9. Portion of the day during which teachers don't actually get downtime — Answer: FREEPERIOD. Hint: A school-day slot that sounds restful but is often filled with planning and paperwork 📚
  10. 10. Wonder Woman's headwear — Answer: TIARA. Hint: This regal accessory sits atop the Amazon warrior’s head. 👑
  11. 12. Edison rival Nikola — Answer: TESLA. Hint: This inventor helped pioneer alternating-current electricity and later inspired a famous electric-car brand ⚡
  12. 13. Running test at the NFL combine — Answer: FORTYYARDDASH. Hint: Think of the timed sprint prospects run at football’s biggest scouting showcase. 🏈
  13. 14. Holiday preceders — Answer: EVES. Hint: Think of the calendar dates that come right before celebrations 🎉
  14. 15. "Don't leave!" — Answer: STAY. Hint: A heartfelt plea for someone to remain nearby 🛑
  15. 20. WNBA great Weatherspoon — Answer: TERESA. Hint: This basketball legend later coached at LSU and helped lead the New York Liberty to the WNBA Finals. 🏀
  16. 23. "This American Life" host Glass — Answer: IRA. Hint: Think of the longtime voice behind this acclaimed radio storytelling program 🎙️
  17. 24. "Go, team!" — Answer: RAH. Hint: A brief cheer of encouragement you might hear from the sidelines. 📣
  18. 25. Anti-pollution org. — Answer: EPA. Hint: This U.S. agency works to keep the air and water cleaner. 🌿
  19. 26. Fat in some piecrusts — Answer: LARD. Hint: This traditional cooking fat can make pastry wonderfully flaky. 🥧
  20. 27. "Understood" — Answer: ISEE. Hint: A brief phrase you might say when something finally makes sense. 💡
  21. 28. Income range considered by the IRS — Answer: TAXBRACKET. Hint: Think of the tax category that determines which rate applies to your earnings 📊
  22. 29. "31 Days of Oscar" channel — Answer: TCM. Hint: This movie channel celebrates Hollywood classics with a monthlong awards-season marathon each year 🎬
  23. 32. Respected seniors — Answer: ELDERS. Hint: Think of honored older members of a community. 🧓
  24. 33. Vocal quality — Answer: TONE. Hint: Think about how your voice can convey different feelings! 🎶
  25. 34. Took to court — Answer: SUED. Hint: If you've got a legal beef, you might consider this action! ⚖️
  26. 36. Mac alternatives — Answer: PCS. Hint: Think of the other type of computer that often competes with Apple's lineup! 💻
  27. 39. Charged particle — Answer: ION. Hint: Think of an atom or molecule carrying an electric charge. ⚡
  28. 40. Channel with "Modern Family" reruns — Answer: TBS. Hint: This cable network keeps sitcom fans laughing with plenty of reruns. 📺
  29. 41. "Pow!" — Answer: BAM. Hint: A comic-book sound effect for a sudden impact 💥
  30. 42. In the midst of a hot streak — Answer: ONAROLL. Hint: You’re riding a sustained run of success right now 🎯
  31. 45. Success on a dating app — Answer: MATCH. Hint: It happens when both people swipe right on each other. 💕
  32. 46. Fabric full of holes — Answer: LACE. Hint: This delicate material features an open, decorative pattern. 🧵
  33. 47. Some doctoral exams — Answer: ORALS. Hint: These graduate-level tests are conducted through spoken questioning before a panel. 🎓
  34. 48. Retained — Answer: KEPT. Hint: Held onto instead of giving away. ✋
  35. 50. What a radius is and a diameter is not — Answer: BONE. Hint: Think of something found in the forearm rather than a line spanning a circle 🦴
  36. 52. Range above tenor — Answer: ALTO. Hint: This higher female vocal range often harmonizes above the tenor line 🎶
  37. 53. Selina Meyer sitcom — Answer: VEEP. Hint: Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays the hilariously inept vice president in this political comedy. 📺
  38. 54. Goofs up — Answer: ERRS. Hint: Makes mistakes, often by accident 🤦
  39. 56. Actress Longoria — Answer: EVA. Hint: This actress is known for her role in a popular TV show about a quiet suburban life. 🎬
  40. 57. Odie or Garfield, to Jon — Answer: PET. Hint: Think of the furry companion a character might care for at home. 🐾
  41. 59. Clumsy type — Answer: OAF. Hint: A lovable but awkward person might fit this description. 🤭

Looking for today's USA Today Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated August 5, 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

#ClueAnswer
1Semisolid precipitationSLUSH
6Crochet or macrameCRAFT
11Sticky note brandPOSTIT
13Sports cars with horse logosFERRARIS
16Like a joke understood by fewINSIDE
17Cause a temperature warning on a phoneOVERHEAT
18Reduce the power of, in gamingNERF
19Scatter aroundSTREW
21History textbook unitERA
22Some steak ordersFILETS
24Settle upREPAY
26BookishLITERARY
29CassetteTAPE
30Yoga poseASANA
31They have a big E at the topEYECHARTS
35Word after "T." or "Oedipus"REX
36Any of 150 Biblical songsPSALM
37Promise to settle up laterIOU
38Cashless payment toolDEBITCARD
41"Beautiful Things" singer BensonBOONE
43Steals fromROBS
44RequiredDEMANDED
46They generate interestLOANS
48"Squid Game" or "My Golden Life"KDRAMA
49Smile's shapeARC
50Bigfoot or GodzillaBEAST
51"10/10, no notes," for exampleRAVE
55Pastry treats on sticksCAKEPOPS
58Beach day container full of iceCOOLER
60Like November, among the months of the yearELEVENTH
61Back-baring topHALTER
62Virginia, for oneSTATE
63Doesn't succeedFLOPS

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Alternative to "solve" or "buy a vowel," on "Wheel of Fortune"SPIN
2SolitaryLONE
3Letters on pre-1991 mapsUSSR
4Become less flexibleSTIFFEN
5Started a game of SardinesHID
6Workers on a shipCREW
7Movie with the song "Naatu Naatu"RRR
8Ooh and ___AAH
9Portion of the day during which teachers don't actually get downtimeFREEPERIOD
10Wonder Woman's headwearTIARA
12Edison rival NikolaTESLA
13Running test at the NFL combineFORTYYARDDASH
14Holiday precedersEVES
15"Don't leave!"STAY
20WNBA great WeatherspoonTERESA
23"This American Life" host GlassIRA
24"Go, team!"RAH
25Anti-pollution org.EPA
26Fat in some piecrustsLARD
27"Understood"ISEE
28Income range considered by the IRSTAXBRACKET
29"31 Days of Oscar" channelTCM
32Respected seniorsELDERS
33Vocal qualityTONE
34Took to courtSUED
36Mac alternativesPCS
39Charged particleION
40Channel with "Modern Family" rerunsTBS
41"Pow!"BAM
42In the midst of a hot streakONAROLL
45Success on a dating appMATCH
46Fabric full of holesLACE
47Some doctoral examsORALS
48RetainedKEPT
50What a radius is and a diameter is notBONE
52Range above tenorALTO
53Selina Meyer sitcomVEEP
54Goofs upERRS
56Actress LongoriaEVA
57Odie or Garfield, to JonPET
59Clumsy typeOAF

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 TodayNYT / LA Times
Difficulty curveConsistent every dayRamps through the week
ThemeEvery puzzle is themedThemed early week, themeless late
VocabularyModern, inclusive, currentMore traditional
CostFreeNYT paid; LA Times free
EditorErik AgardWill 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 (August 5, 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.

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