USA Today Crossword Answers Today

Dynamic Duos

By Katja Brinck & Will Eisenberg · Edited by Amanda Rafkin

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Across

  1. 1WitnessedSAW
  2. 4TriumphWIN
  3. 7Brazilian dancesSAMBAS
  4. 13"Watch this space!" lettersTBA
  5. 14LSDACID
  6. 16Not too bright?CLOUDY
  7. 17OutdatedOBSOLETE
  8. 19Reacted to injusticeRIOTED
  9. 20Chain reaction in which small actions create a big impactRIPPLEEFFECT
  10. 22Southwestern formationsMESAS
  11. 23___ Sremmurd (hip-hop duo)RAE
  12. 24"The Silence of the Lambs" org.FBI
  13. 27Experiment spotLAB
  14. 29BeautGEM
  15. 30"Frozen" snowmanOLAF
  16. 31The "L" of LACMALOS
  17. 34Young horsesFOALS
  18. 36"The March King"SOUSA
  19. 37High-fiber baked goodAPPLEBRANMUFFIN
  20. 40Cries out in surpriseYELPS
  21. 41Cookie-selling groupTROOP
  22. 42Travel by planeFLY
  23. 43Stretches of timelinesERAS
  24. 44Grape ___ (rhyming drink)APE
  25. 45One sample ___ customerPER
  26. 47Pet that might have ruby-colored eyesRAT
  27. 48He's generally associated with chicken?TSO
  28. 49"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" detective DiazROSA
  29. 52People who work behind the scenesSUPPORTSTAFF
  30. 57Person-shaped board game tokenMEEPLE
  31. 60Chilaquiles ingredientTORTILLA
  32. 61StayREMAIN
  33. 62NotionIDEA
  34. 63"I'm ___" ("Ready to hear the gossip")SAT
  35. 64Dry spellSLUMP
  36. 65VisionarySEER
  37. 66Versatile cardACE

Down

  1. 1Seattle WNBA teamSTORM
  2. 2"Jack Ryan" actress CornishABBIE
  3. 3Paper nest buildersWASPS
  4. 4They might be hidden behind portraitsWALLSAFES
  5. 5Carbonated frozen drinkICEE
  6. 6Late hours, in adsNITE
  7. 7___ Queen (horror icon)SCREAM
  8. 8Disney girl with a surreal imaginationALICE
  9. 9IrrelevantMOOT
  10. 10"He's a 10, ___ . . ."BUT
  11. 11Refreshing drink suffixADE
  12. 12"The Bear" chefSYD
  13. 15"4 sure!"DEF
  14. 18Birthstone for some LibrasOPAL
  15. 21Red chili pepperFRESNO
  16. 24Marshmallow ___FLUFF
  17. 25Caprese salad ingredientBASIL
  18. 26". . . though none may exist"IFANY
  19. 28Animated dad who loves making burgersBOB
  20. 29Harsh lightGLARE
  21. 30"Yikes"OOF
  22. 31Wedding cake partLAYER
  23. 32"The Phantom of the ___"OPERA
  24. 33Water balloon soundSPLAT
  25. 35Music genre with striking visualsARTPOP
  26. 36Highly successful personSUPERSTAR
  27. 38Vinyl recordsLPS
  28. 39Floor-cleaning toolMOP
  29. 44Source of many matchesASPEN
  30. 46___ canai (flatbread)ROTI
  31. 48Blooming bulbTULIP
  32. 50It might be a dip, or include a dipSALSA
  33. 51Duck sound in some insurance adsAFLAC
  34. 52Unwanted texts, e.g.SPAM
  35. 53R&B singer ReddingOTIS
  36. 54Participated in RAGBRAIRODE
  37. 5544-Down, e.g.TREE
  38. 56What meeting your soulmate might feel likeFATE
  39. 57"Mr. and ___. Smith"MRS
  40. 58Slippery fishEEL
  41. 59Australian birdEMU

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Witnessed — Answer: SAW. Hint: You caught it with your own eyes 👀
  2. 4. Triumph — Answer: WIN. Hint: A victorious success is the feeling this word captures 🏆
  3. 7. Brazilian dances — Answer: SAMBAS. Hint: Think of lively, rhythmic dances famously associated with Brazil. 💃
  4. 13. "Watch this space!" letters — Answer: TBA. Hint: These initials signal that the details will be announced later. ⏳
  5. 14. LSD — Answer: ACID. Hint: This psychedelic substance is known for vivid hallucinations and altered perceptions 🌀
  6. 16. Not too bright? — Answer: CLOUDY. Hint: Think of a sky condition that blocks sunshine and can also describe unclear thinking. ☁️
  7. 17. Outdated — Answer: OBSOLETE. Hint: Something no longer useful or in fashion might be described this way. 🕰️
  8. 19. Reacted to injustice — Answer: RIOTED. Hint: Rose up in protest against unfair treatment. ✊
  9. 20. Chain reaction in which small actions create a big impact — Answer: RIPPLEEFFECT. Hint: Think of how one tiny disturbance can spread outward and create surprisingly large consequences. 🌊
  10. 22. Southwestern formations — Answer: MESAS. Hint: Think of flat-topped desert landforms often seen in the Southwest. 🏜️
  11. 23. ___ Sremmurd (hip-hop duo) — Answer: RAE. Hint: Name the hip-hop duo behind “Black Beatles” and “No Type.” 🎤
  12. 24. "The Silence of the Lambs" org. — Answer: FBI. Hint: This federal investigative agency employs Clarice Starling in the thriller. 🕵️
  13. 27. Experiment spot — Answer: LAB. Hint: It’s the place where experiments are carried out. 🧪
  14. 29. Beaut — Answer: GEM. Hint: A dazzling little treasure or someone who truly shines. ✨
  15. 30. "Frozen" snowman — Answer: OLAF. Hint: This cheerful snowman from Arendelle loves warm hugs despite his chilly nature ☃️
  16. 31. The "L" of LACMA — Answer: LOS. Hint: Think of the California city named in this museum’s full title. 🖼️
  17. 34. Young horses — Answer: FOALS. Hint: These little ones are often seen frolicking in the fields! 🐴
  18. 36. "The March King" — Answer: SOUSA. Hint: Think of the American composer behind “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” 🎺
  19. 37. High-fiber baked good — Answer: APPLEBRANMUFFIN. Hint: Think of a wholesome breakfast treat combining fruit with a bran-rich batter. 🧁
  20. 40. Cries out in surprise — Answer: YELPS. Hint: Lets out a sudden, sharp cry when startled. 😲
  21. 41. Cookie-selling group — Answer: TROOP. Hint: Think of the scouting unit whose members might offer you a box of cookies! 🍪
  22. 42. Travel by plane — Answer: FLY. Hint: Take to the skies using an aircraft. ✈️
  23. 43. Stretches of timelines — Answer: ERAS. Hint: Think of broad periods in history, each with its own defining character ⏳
  24. 44. Grape ___ (rhyming drink) — Answer: APE. Hint: Picture a cheeky zoo resident hiding in a fruity, rhyming beverage name. 🍇
  25. 45. One sample ___ customer — Answer: PER. Hint: This phrase sets a limit of one sample for each shopper. 🛒
  26. 47. Pet that might have ruby-colored eyes — Answer: RAT. Hint: Think of a small, scurrying pet often associated with laboratories or sewers. 🐀
  27. 48. He's generally associated with chicken? — Answer: TSO. Hint: Think of the Chinese military leader whose name is linked to a beloved chicken dish 🍗
  28. 49. "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" detective Diaz — Answer: ROSA. Hint: Think of the fiercely private, tough-as-nails detective played by Stephanie Beatriz. 🕵️
  29. 52. People who work behind the scenes — Answer: SUPPORTSTAFF. Hint: Think of the helpful team members who keep everything running out of the spotlight. 🎬
  30. 57. Person-shaped board game token — Answer: MEEPLE. Hint: This little player-shaped piece might represent you on the board. 🎲
  31. 60. Chilaquiles ingredient — Answer: TORTILLA. Hint: This Mexican dish gets its hearty base from a familiar flatbread. 🌮
  32. 61. Stay — Answer: REMAIN. Hint: Don’t leave—continue being there. 🏠
  33. 62. Notion — Answer: IDEA. Hint: A thought or concept forming in your mind 💡
  34. 63. "I'm ___" ("Ready to hear the gossip") — Answer: SAT. Hint: Complete the phrase with a brief word that signals you’re ready and listening. 👂
  35. 64. Dry spell — Answer: SLUMP. Hint: A stretch when progress or success seems to disappear. 📉
  36. 65. Visionary — Answer: SEER. Hint: Think of someone believed to glimpse what the future holds 🔮
  37. 66. Versatile card — Answer: ACE. Hint: This playing card is a flexible powerhouse that can adapt to many hands. 🃏

Down

  1. 1. Seattle WNBA team — Answer: STORM. Hint: This Emerald City squad battles on the hardwood in the WNBA. 🏀
  2. 2. "Jack Ryan" actress Cornish — Answer: ABBIE. Hint: Think of the actress who played Cathy Mueller in the Jack Ryan series. 🎬
  3. 3. Paper nest builders — Answer: WASPS. Hint: These buzzing insects build papery homes and pack a painful sting. 🐝
  4. 4. They might be hidden behind portraits — Answer: WALLSAFES. Hint: Think of a discreet built-in hiding place often concealed by artwork 🖼️
  5. 5. Carbonated frozen drink — Answer: ICEE. Hint: A fizzy, slushy treat that’s a chilly convenience-store favorite. 🥤
  6. 6. Late hours, in ads — Answer: NITE. Hint: Think of the abbreviated way advertisements often refer to nighttime hours. 🌙
  7. 7. ___ Queen (horror icon) — Answer: SCREAM. Hint: Think of the chilling title associated with a legendary masked slasher. 🔪
  8. 8. Disney girl with a surreal imagination — Answer: ALICE. Hint: Think of the curious heroine who follows a white rabbit into a topsy-turvy wonderland 🐇
  9. 9. Irrelevant — Answer: MOOT. Hint: This describes something that no longer matters to the discussion. 💤
  10. 10. "He's a 10, ___ . . ." — Answer: BUT. Hint: Use the tiny word that flips a compliment into a qualification. 😉
  11. 11. Refreshing drink suffix — Answer: ADE. Hint: It’s the ending that helps turn citrus into a cool, thirst-quenching beverage. 🥤
  12. 12. "The Bear" chef — Answer: SYD. Hint: This ambitious sous-chef helps turn a chaotic Chicago kitchen into something special 🍽️
  13. 15. "4 sure!" — Answer: DEF. Hint: A casual slangy way to say “definitely” or “of course.” 😎
  14. 18. Birthstone for some Libras — Answer: OPAL. Hint: Think of the iridescent gemstone associated with October birthdays and some Libras. ✨
  15. 21. Red chili pepper — Answer: FRESNO. Hint: This red pepper shares its name with a California city and brings a mild-to-medium kick 🌶️
  16. 24. Marshmallow ___ — Answer: FLUFF. Hint: Think of the sweet, airy spread often paired with peanut butter in a classic sandwich 🥪
  17. 25. Caprese salad ingredient — Answer: BASIL. Hint: This fragrant green herb pairs beautifully with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. 🌿
  18. 26. ". . . though none may exist" — Answer: IFANY. Hint: This phrase introduces a possibility while admitting there might be no examples at all. 🤔
  19. 28. Animated dad who loves making burgers — Answer: BOB. Hint: Think of the animated family man whose burger shop serves up laughs and patties 🍔
  20. 29. Harsh light — Answer: GLARE. Hint: A piercing brightness that makes you squint. ☀️
  21. 30. "Yikes" — Answer: OOF. Hint: An exclamation you might blurt out after a painful surprise 😬
  22. 31. Wedding cake part — Answer: LAYER. Hint: Think of one of the stacked tiers that makes up this celebratory dessert. 🎂
  23. 32. "The Phantom of the ___" — Answer: OPERA. Hint: Picture a masked figure haunting a grand Parisian theater in a famous musical mystery. 🎭
  24. 33. Water balloon sound — Answer: SPLAT. Hint: It’s the messy noise a tossed water balloon makes when it hits the ground 💦
  25. 35. Music genre with striking visuals — Answer: ARTPOP. Hint: Think of a boundary-pushing pop style where the songs and visuals are equally theatrical. 🎨
  26. 36. Highly successful person — Answer: SUPERSTAR. Hint: Think of someone at the very top of their field, admired by millions 🌟
  27. 38. Vinyl records — Answer: LPS. Hint: These classic music discs spin on a turntable and come in different speeds. 🎶
  28. 39. Floor-cleaning tool — Answer: MOP. Hint: This handy household tool swishes across dirty floors to leave them sparkling. 🧽
  29. 44. Source of many matches — Answer: ASPEN. Hint: Think of a tree whose wood has long been used for making matchsticks. 🌳
  30. 46. ___ canai (flatbread) — Answer: ROTI. Hint: Think of a common South Asian flatbread often paired with curry. 🫓
  31. 48. Blooming bulb — Answer: TULIP. Hint: This cheerful spring flower grows from a bulb and comes in vivid colors 🌷
  32. 50. It might be a dip, or include a dip — Answer: SALSA. Hint: Think of a zesty party staple that shares its name with a lively dance featuring a dramatic move downward 💃
  33. 51. Duck sound in some insurance ads — Answer: AFLAC. Hint: Think of the catchy quack that made a certain insurance mascot famous. 🦆
  34. 52. Unwanted texts, e.g. — Answer: SPAM. Hint: These annoying messages often crowd your inbox without invitation 📩
  35. 53. R&B singer Redding — Answer: OTIS. Hint: Think of the legendary soul singer behind “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay.” 🎶
  36. 54. Participated in RAGBRAI — Answer: RODE. Hint: You took part by pedaling across Iowa in its famous annual bike ride 🚴
  37. 55. 44-Down, e.g. — Answer: TREE. Hint: Think of a tall, leafy plant with a trunk and branches. 🌳
  38. 56. What meeting your soulmate might feel like — Answer: FATE. Hint: It can feel as though the universe arranged the encounter just for you. ✨
  39. 57. "Mr. and ___. Smith" — Answer: MRS. Hint: Complete the title for a married couple, pairing the gentleman with his wife. 💍
  40. 58. Slippery fish — Answer: EEL. Hint: This wriggly swimmer can be hard to hold onto 🐟
  41. 59. Australian bird — Answer: EMU. Hint: This flightless Aussie runner is famous for its long legs and speedy stride. 🐦

Recent USA Today Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

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Looking for today's USA Today Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated August 12, 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
1WitnessedSAW
4TriumphWIN
7Brazilian dancesSAMBAS
13"Watch this space!" lettersTBA
14LSDACID
16Not too bright?CLOUDY
17OutdatedOBSOLETE
19Reacted to injusticeRIOTED
20Chain reaction in which small actions create a big impactRIPPLEEFFECT
22Southwestern formationsMESAS
23___ Sremmurd (hip-hop duo)RAE
24"The Silence of the Lambs" org.FBI
27Experiment spotLAB
29BeautGEM
30"Frozen" snowmanOLAF
31The "L" of LACMALOS
34Young horsesFOALS
36"The March King"SOUSA
37High-fiber baked goodAPPLEBRANMUFFIN
40Cries out in surpriseYELPS
41Cookie-selling groupTROOP
42Travel by planeFLY
43Stretches of timelinesERAS
44Grape ___ (rhyming drink)APE
45One sample ___ customerPER
47Pet that might have ruby-colored eyesRAT
48He's generally associated with chicken?TSO
49"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" detective DiazROSA
52People who work behind the scenesSUPPORTSTAFF
57Person-shaped board game tokenMEEPLE
60Chilaquiles ingredientTORTILLA
61StayREMAIN
62NotionIDEA
63"I'm ___" ("Ready to hear the gossip")SAT
64Dry spellSLUMP
65VisionarySEER
66Versatile cardACE

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Seattle WNBA teamSTORM
2"Jack Ryan" actress CornishABBIE
3Paper nest buildersWASPS
4They might be hidden behind portraitsWALLSAFES
5Carbonated frozen drinkICEE
6Late hours, in adsNITE
7___ Queen (horror icon)SCREAM
8Disney girl with a surreal imaginationALICE
9IrrelevantMOOT
10"He's a 10, ___ . . ."BUT
11Refreshing drink suffixADE
12"The Bear" chefSYD
15"4 sure!"DEF
18Birthstone for some LibrasOPAL
21Red chili pepperFRESNO
24Marshmallow ___FLUFF
25Caprese salad ingredientBASIL
26". . . though none may exist"IFANY
28Animated dad who loves making burgersBOB
29Harsh lightGLARE
30"Yikes"OOF
31Wedding cake partLAYER
32"The Phantom of the ___"OPERA
33Water balloon soundSPLAT
35Music genre with striking visualsARTPOP
36Highly successful personSUPERSTAR
38Vinyl recordsLPS
39Floor-cleaning toolMOP
44Source of many matchesASPEN
46___ canai (flatbread)ROTI
48Blooming bulbTULIP
50It might be a dip, or include a dipSALSA
51Duck sound in some insurance adsAFLAC
52Unwanted texts, e.g.SPAM
53R&B singer ReddingOTIS
54Participated in RAGBRAIRODE
5544-Down, e.g.TREE
56What meeting your soulmate might feel likeFATE
57"Mr. and ___. Smith"MRS
58Slippery fishEEL
59Australian birdEMU

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

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Frequently asked questions

What are today's USA Today Crossword answers?

The full Across and Down solution for today's puzzle (August 12, 2026) is listed at the top of this page, updated as soon as it's released.

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