USA Today Crossword Answers Today

Gum Wrapper

By Dario Salvucci · Edited by Amie Walker

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Across

  1. 1Zoom background effectBLUR
  2. 5"The West Wing" actor AlanALDA
  3. 9Moves like a rope bridgeSWAYS
  4. 14Tiny bitIOTA
  5. 15Friendship bracelet bitBEAD
  6. 16Drink aka hot chocolateCOCOA
  7. 17Gradually becoming more popular, like a trendGAININGMOMENTUM
  8. 20Home of the WNBA's Dream (Abbr.)ATL
  9. 21Place for chickensCOOP
  10. 22Not proANTI
  11. 23Bout "souvenir," perhapsSHINER
  12. 251-1, for oneTIE
  13. 26ThroughVIA
  14. 29High-fat dietKETO
  15. 30La Scala's homeMILAN
  16. 33Basketball player SueBIRD
  17. 34Surface for tree poseYOGAMAT
  18. 36AffirmativesYESES
  19. 37Current that brings warm water into the AtlanticGULFSTREAM
  20. 39Implicitly understoodTACIT
  21. 42Give inRELENT
  22. 43Tooth or head troubleACHE
  23. 44"___ what I'm thinking . . ."HERES
  24. 45Tablet with a Mini versionIPAD
  25. 49Veggie under a fairy-tale mattressPEA
  26. 50Tell a fibLIE
  27. 51Mat in a ryokanTATAMI
  28. 53Reason to cancel a barbecueRAIN
  29. 55"Zip it!"HUSH
  30. 57Opposites of 36-AcrossNOS
  31. 58Where the New England Revolution play their home gamesGILLETTESTADIUM
  32. 62Vulcan, e.g.ALIEN
  33. 63Cookie with a Firecracker Pop flavorOREO
  34. 64"A Simple Favor" star KendrickANNA
  35. 65"___ your heart!"BLESS
  36. 66Bend out of shapeWARP
  37. 67Feel sorry forPITY

Down

  1. 1Huge favorBIGASK
  2. 2Totally cannot standLOATHE
  3. 3Monopoly property without fixed rentsUTILITY
  4. 4Published in a paperRAN
  5. 5Out of the ordinaryABNORMAL
  6. 6Toy brand discussed on BrickipediaLEGO
  7. 7Like a used towel, perhapsDAMP
  8. 8KerfuffleADO
  9. 9Part of a playSCENE
  10. 10"Thanks, but that ___ be necessary"WONT
  11. 11It might involve protests, marches or community organizingACTIVISM
  12. 12Second-person pronounYOU
  13. 13"Unholy" singer SmithSAM
  14. 18"Rocks" in a drinkICE
  15. 19Primary conduitMAIN
  16. 24Knuckle-headed move?NOOGIE
  17. 25Spill the beansTATTLE
  18. 27WrathIRE
  19. 28Some might pop upADS
  20. 31"That time works for me"IMFREE
  21. 32___-focusedLASER
  22. 33"Scram!"BEATIT
  23. 35Prep for a major renovation, sayGUT
  24. 36Currency in KyotoYEN
  25. 38Place to take a break on a road tripRESTSTOP
  26. 39Bar spoutTAP
  27. 40Unreturnable serveACE
  28. 41Third letter of the NATO alphabetCHARLIE
  29. 44ClueHINT
  30. 46Grilled sandwich with Italian breadPANINI
  31. 47QuantityAMOUNT
  32. 48Feeling of shock and confusionDISMAY
  33. 50Property claimsLIENS
  34. 52"That's it!"AHA
  35. 54Some craft beersALES
  36. 55Queen of Mount OlympusHERA
  37. 56App operatorUSER
  38. 58Yap or yammerGAB
  39. 59Under the weatherILL
  40. 60AAA serviceTOW
  41. 61Handshake alternativeDAP

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Zoom background effect — Answer: BLUR. Hint: It softens everything behind you so the room stays out of focus. 👀
  2. 5. "The West Wing" actor Alan — Answer: ALDA. Hint: Think of the veteran actor who played presidential candidate Arnold Vinick on the political drama 📺
  3. 9. Moves like a rope bridge — Answer: SWAYS. Hint: Think of the gentle side-to-side motion of a hanging bridge 🌉
  4. 14. Tiny bit — Answer: IOTA. Hint: Think of the smallest possible amount—barely a speck! 🔹
  5. 15. Friendship bracelet bit — Answer: BEAD. Hint: A small colorful piece you might thread onto a cord to personalize a wristband 🧵
  6. 16. Drink aka hot chocolate — Answer: COCOA. Hint: This warm, chocolatey drink is a cozy cup on a chilly day ☕
  7. 17. Gradually becoming more popular, like a trend — Answer: GAININGMOMENTUM. Hint: A trend that is picking up steam and attracting more followers is headed this way 📈
  8. 20. Home of the WNBA's Dream (Abbr.) — Answer: ATL. Hint: This WNBA team plays in the same city as the Falcons and Braves. 🏀
  9. 21. Place for chickens — Answer: COOP. Hint: It’s the little shelter where hens roost and lay eggs. 🐔
  10. 22. Not pro — Answer: ANTI. Hint: It describes someone or something opposed to a cause or idea. ⚖️
  11. 23. Bout "souvenir," perhaps — Answer: SHINER. Hint: A boxing match might leave this colorful mark around your eye. 🥊
  12. 25. 1-1, for one — Answer: TIE. Hint: A perfectly even score is called this. ⚖️
  13. 26. Through — Answer: VIA. Hint: Think of a short preposition meaning “by way of” or “using.” 🛣️
  14. 29. High-fat diet — Answer: KETO. Hint: This low-carb eating plan makes fat the main fuel. 🥑
  15. 30. La Scala's home — Answer: MILAN. Hint: This world-famous opera house stands in Italy’s stylish fashion capital. 🎭
  16. 33. Basketball player Sue — Answer: BIRD. Hint: Think of the legendary WNBA point guard whose surname sounds right at a birdwatching meet-up 🏀
  17. 34. Surface for tree pose — Answer: YOGAMAT. Hint: This cushioned exercise surface keeps your balance practice steady. 🧘
  18. 36. Affirmatives — Answer: YESES. Hint: These are what you give when agreeing more than once. 👍
  19. 37. Current that brings warm water into the Atlantic — Answer: GULFSTREAM. Hint: Think of the powerful Atlantic current that carries tropical warmth northward from the Gulf of Mexico. 🌊
  20. 39. Implicitly understood — Answer: TACIT. Hint: It’s understood without needing to be said aloud 🤫
  21. 42. Give in — Answer: RELENT. Hint: Stop resisting and yield to the pressure. 🏳️
  22. 43. Tooth or head trouble — Answer: ACHE. Hint: This describes the pain that can bother either your molars or your mind. 😣
  23. 44. "___ what I'm thinking . . ." — Answer: HERES. Hint: A conversational phrase that introduces an idea or opinion. 💭
  24. 45. Tablet with a Mini version — Answer: IPAD. Hint: This sleek Apple tablet has a smaller sibling known as the Mini. 🍎
  25. 49. Veggie under a fairy-tale mattress — Answer: PEA. Hint: Think of the tiny green legume that made a princess uncomfortable. 🫛
  26. 50. Tell a fib — Answer: LIE. Hint: Be untruthful about what really happened 🤥
  27. 51. Mat in a ryokan — Answer: TATAMI. Hint: Think of the woven floor covering found in a traditional Japanese inn. 🏯
  28. 53. Reason to cancel a barbecue — Answer: RAIN. Hint: Wet weather can put a serious damper on outdoor grilling 🌧️
  29. 55. "Zip it!" — Answer: HUSH. Hint: A firm request for someone to stop talking 🤫
  30. 57. Opposites of 36-Across — Answer: NOS. Hint: These are the negative votes, contrasting with the affirmatives at 36-Across. 👎
  31. 58. Where the New England Revolution play their home games — Answer: GILLETTESTADIUM. Hint: Think of the Foxborough venue named for a famous shaving brand 🏟️
  32. 62. Vulcan, e.g. — Answer: ALIEN. Hint: This Star Trek resident is a being from another world rather than a human. 🖖
  33. 63. Cookie with a Firecracker Pop flavor — Answer: OREO. Hint: Think of the classic sandwich cookie known for playful limited-edition flavors! 🍪
  34. 64. "A Simple Favor" star Kendrick — Answer: ANNA. Hint: Think of the actress who played Beca in Pitch Perfect and starred in A Simple Favor 🎬
  35. 65. "___ your heart!" — Answer: BLESS. Hint: A warm, old-fashioned expression of affection or gentle exasperation fits here. ❤️
  36. 66. Bend out of shape — Answer: WARP. Hint: Twist something until it loses its original form. 🌀
  37. 67. Feel sorry for — Answer: PITY. Hint: A gentle word for feeling bad on someone’s behalf 🤍

Down

  1. 1. Huge favor — Answer: BIGASK. Hint: Think of the informal phrase for asking someone to do something especially substantial. 🤝
  2. 2. Totally cannot stand — Answer: LOATHE. Hint: A strong verb for despising something with every fiber of your being 😤
  3. 3. Monopoly property without fixed rents — Answer: UTILITY. Hint: Think of a Monopoly space whose cost varies with your roll, much like a household bill varies with usage. 💡
  4. 4. Published in a paper — Answer: RAN. Hint: Think of what a newspaper does with an article it prints. 📰
  5. 5. Out of the ordinary — Answer: ABNORMAL. Hint: Think of a word describing something unusual or not typical. 🙂
  6. 6. Toy brand discussed on Brickipedia — Answer: LEGO. Hint: This iconic building-toy brand has its own fan-written encyclopedia entry. 🧱
  7. 7. Like a used towel, perhaps — Answer: DAMP. Hint: It might still be a little wet after drying off. 💧
  8. 8. Kerfuffle — Answer: ADO. Hint: When things get a bit chaotic, you might say there's some of this going on! 😄
  9. 9. Part of a play — Answer: SCENE. Hint: Think of a distinct segment of a drama, often set in one place or time. 🎭
  10. 10. "Thanks, but that ___ be necessary" — Answer: WONT. Hint: A polite refusal uses this contraction meaning “will not.” 🤝
  11. 11. It might involve protests, marches or community organizing — Answer: ACTIVISM. Hint: It’s collective action aimed at creating social or political change. ✊
  12. 12. Second-person pronoun — Answer: YOU. Hint: It’s the pronoun used when speaking directly to someone else. 🙂
  13. 13. "Unholy" singer Smith — Answer: SAM. Hint: This Grammy-winning singer teamed up with Kim Petras for the provocative hit “Unholy.” 🎤
  14. 18. "Rocks" in a drink — Answer: ICE. Hint: These chilled cubes make a drink clink. 🥃
  15. 19. Primary conduit — Answer: MAIN. Hint: Think of the principal route that carries something from place to place. 🚰
  16. 24. Knuckle-headed move? — Answer: NOOGIE. Hint: A playful prank that gives someone’s scalp a rough rub with your knuckles. 😄
  17. 25. Spill the beans — Answer: TATTLE. Hint: It means to reveal a secret or tell what you know 🤫
  18. 27. Wrath — Answer: IRE. Hint: Feeling a bit fiery? 🔥
  19. 28. Some might pop up — Answer: ADS. Hint: You may encounter these unexpectedly while browsing online. 🖥️
  20. 31. "That time works for me" — Answer: IMFREE. Hint: A cheerful way to say the proposed moment fits your schedule. 😊
  21. 32. ___-focused — Answer: LASER. Hint: Think of a beam known for its intense, pinpoint focus. 🔦
  22. 33. "Scram!" — Answer: BEATIT. Hint: A brisk command telling someone to leave immediately 🏃
  23. 35. Prep for a major renovation, say — Answer: GUT. Hint: Think of stripping a building down to its bare bones before rebuilding. 🏗️
  24. 36. Currency in Kyoto — Answer: YEN. Hint: Think of the money used in Japan, not a peaceful agreement. 💴
  25. 38. Place to take a break on a road trip — Answer: RESTSTOP. Hint: It’s where travelers pull over to stretch their legs and recharge. 🚗
  26. 39. Bar spout — Answer: TAP. Hint: Think of what pours your drink at a pub. 🍻
  27. 40. Unreturnable serve — Answer: ACE. Hint: A tennis player’s dream serve flies past the opponent untouched 🎾
  28. 41. Third letter of the NATO alphabet — Answer: CHARLIE. Hint: Count to three in the phonetic alphabet used by pilots and soldiers. 🔤
  29. 44. Clue — Answer: HINT. Hint: A small nudge toward solving something puzzling. 🧩
  30. 46. Grilled sandwich with Italian bread — Answer: PANINI. Hint: This toasted café favorite is pressed until the cheese gets deliciously melty. 🥪
  31. 47. Quantity — Answer: AMOUNT. Hint: It tells you how much of something there is. 📏
  32. 48. Feeling of shock and confusion — Answer: DISMAY. Hint: This unsettling feeling can strike when something goes unexpectedly wrong. 😲
  33. 50. Property claims — Answer: LIENS. Hint: These legal rights let creditors stake a claim on someone’s property. ⚖️
  34. 52. "That's it!" — Answer: AHA. Hint: A sudden moment of understanding might be exclaimed this way 💡
  35. 54. Some craft beers — Answer: ALES. Hint: These fermented favorites are often served on tap and come in many hoppy varieties 🍺
  36. 55. Queen of Mount Olympus — Answer: HERA. Hint: Think of the powerful goddess who rules beside Zeus on Mount Olympus. 👑
  37. 56. App operator — Answer: USER. Hint: Think of the person tapping and navigating through the app. 📱
  38. 58. Yap or yammer — Answer: GAB. Hint: To do this is to chatter away nonstop. 🗣️
  39. 59. Under the weather — Answer: ILL. Hint: Feeling sick or not quite yourself today 🤒
  40. 60. AAA service — Answer: TOW. Hint: It comes to the rescue when your car needs a lift. 🚗
  41. 61. Handshake alternative — Answer: DAP. Hint: Try the casual hand greeting popularized by athletes and friends instead of a formal clasp ✊

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 13, 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
1Zoom background effectBLUR
5"The West Wing" actor AlanALDA
9Moves like a rope bridgeSWAYS
14Tiny bitIOTA
15Friendship bracelet bitBEAD
16Drink aka hot chocolateCOCOA
17Gradually becoming more popular, like a trendGAININGMOMENTUM
20Home of the WNBA's Dream (Abbr.)ATL
21Place for chickensCOOP
22Not proANTI
23Bout "souvenir," perhapsSHINER
251-1, for oneTIE
26ThroughVIA
29High-fat dietKETO
30La Scala's homeMILAN
33Basketball player SueBIRD
34Surface for tree poseYOGAMAT
36AffirmativesYESES
37Current that brings warm water into the AtlanticGULFSTREAM
39Implicitly understoodTACIT
42Give inRELENT
43Tooth or head troubleACHE
44"___ what I'm thinking . . ."HERES
45Tablet with a Mini versionIPAD
49Veggie under a fairy-tale mattressPEA
50Tell a fibLIE
51Mat in a ryokanTATAMI
53Reason to cancel a barbecueRAIN
55"Zip it!"HUSH
57Opposites of 36-AcrossNOS
58Where the New England Revolution play their home gamesGILLETTESTADIUM
62Vulcan, e.g.ALIEN
63Cookie with a Firecracker Pop flavorOREO
64"A Simple Favor" star KendrickANNA
65"___ your heart!"BLESS
66Bend out of shapeWARP
67Feel sorry forPITY

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Huge favorBIGASK
2Totally cannot standLOATHE
3Monopoly property without fixed rentsUTILITY
4Published in a paperRAN
5Out of the ordinaryABNORMAL
6Toy brand discussed on BrickipediaLEGO
7Like a used towel, perhapsDAMP
8KerfuffleADO
9Part of a playSCENE
10"Thanks, but that ___ be necessary"WONT
11It might involve protests, marches or community organizingACTIVISM
12Second-person pronounYOU
13"Unholy" singer SmithSAM
18"Rocks" in a drinkICE
19Primary conduitMAIN
24Knuckle-headed move?NOOGIE
25Spill the beansTATTLE
27WrathIRE
28Some might pop upADS
31"That time works for me"IMFREE
32___-focusedLASER
33"Scram!"BEATIT
35Prep for a major renovation, sayGUT
36Currency in KyotoYEN
38Place to take a break on a road tripRESTSTOP
39Bar spoutTAP
40Unreturnable serveACE
41Third letter of the NATO alphabetCHARLIE
44ClueHINT
46Grilled sandwich with Italian breadPANINI
47QuantityAMOUNT
48Feeling of shock and confusionDISMAY
50Property claimsLIENS
52"That's it!"AHA
54Some craft beersALES
55Queen of Mount OlympusHERA
56App operatorUSER
58Yap or yammerGAB
59Under the weatherILL
60AAA serviceTOW
61Handshake alternativeDAP

Today's USA Today Crossword answers

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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.

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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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  • Use the solver for one answer. Our crossword solver reveals a single clue's answer from your known letters, without spoiling the rest.

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Frequently asked questions

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The full Across and Down solution for today's puzzle (August 13, 2026) is listed at the top of this page, updated as soon as it's released.

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