USA Today Crossword Answers Today

Rant Bridge

By Amie Walker · Edited by Amie Walker

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Across

  1. 1"One ___ this time" ("Cha Cha Slide" instruction)HOP
  2. 4Really fun timeBLAST
  3. 9Technology similar to echolocationSONAR
  4. 14Say "I'm grood" instead of "I'm great" or "I'm good," sayERR
  5. 15Taylor Swift album with "Paper Rings"LOVER
  6. 16Savory flavorUMAMI
  7. 17"Without further ___ . . ."ADO
  8. 18"I ___ you" ("You're my favorite")ADORE
  9. 19Very fastRAPID
  10. 20Crunched some dataRANTHENUMBERS
  11. 23Mambo legend PuenteTITO
  12. 24"Hi, it's me, your cat"MEOW
  13. 25Tic-tac-___TOE
  14. 28Poked aroundSNOOPED
  15. 32"Big yikes"OHDEAR
  16. 34Like an extravagant ballLAVISH
  17. 37Round dwellingsYURTS
  18. 38Auto accessory for AM/FM pickupCARANTENNA
  19. 40Marriott competitorHYATT
  20. 42SignsSYMBOLS
  21. 44Pirate's bestiesMATEYS
  22. 46QuenchSATIATE
  23. 49"Case of the Ex" singer who performed at Lilith Fair in 1999MYA
  24. 50Reptar or Yoshi, for shortDINO
  25. 53Smartphone forerunnersPDAS
  26. 54Insects that build nests inside woodCARPENTERANTS
  27. 59Summer camp treatSMORE
  28. 61"All kidding ___ . . ."ASIDE
  29. 62"r u picking me up soon"ETA
  30. 63High pointsACMES
  31. 64Party all night long, perhapsREVEL
  32. 6526-Down alternative, at a coffee shopSOY
  33. 66Band instruments that don't fit in backpacksTUBAS
  34. 67Like a cold expressionSTONY
  35. 68"Help us!," to ABBASOS

Down

  1. 1"Less than 3" symbolsHEARTS
  2. 2Make officialORDAIN
  3. 3"ASAP!"PRONTO
  4. 4UnexcitingBLAH
  5. 5Mine depositLODE
  6. 6Cosmetics brand once sold door-to-doorAVON
  7. 7Part of a skin care routineSERUM
  8. 8HBO series set in New OrleansTREME
  9. 9"Fine, I'm in"SUREWHYNOT
  10. 10Congresswoman IlhanOMAR
  11. 11Music-sharing service for millennials, onceNAPSTER
  12. 12"___ hearing you right?"AMI
  13. 13Get ___ of (toss)RID
  14. 21"Sorry, you missed out"TOOLATE
  15. 22Halloween greetingBOO
  16. 26Granola grainOAT
  17. 27Where some nurses work (Abbr.)ERS
  18. 29Evening shift, perhaps?PARTYDRESS
  19. 30"Casino Royale" star GreenEVA
  20. 31RacketsDINS
  21. 33Punny La Pirata Brewing offeringDUALIPA
  22. 35Pig's homeSTY
  23. 36Skirt bordersHEMS
  24. 38Underground burial siteCATACOMB
  25. 39Chicago Bulls org.NBA
  26. 40"That's a real thinker"HMM
  27. 41"Sweet!"YAY
  28. 43Blue Pixar characterSADNESS
  29. 45TasteSIP
  30. 47"Made your mark on me, a golden ___"TATTOO
  31. 48Writing assignmentsESSAYS
  32. 51Gets closerNEARS
  33. 52It's a startONSET
  34. 55ZoneAREA
  35. 56Early DVR brandTIVO
  36. 57"The Middle" star SherEDEN
  37. 58___ on (trust in)RELY
  38. 59Took a chairSAT
  39. 60Franchise that includes "Ms. Marvel" (Abbr.)MCU

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. "One ___ this time" ("Cha Cha Slide" instruction) — Answer: HOP. Hint: The dance instruction asks you to do this once. 🕺
  2. 4. Really fun time — Answer: BLAST. Hint: A party or outing can be this exciting. 🎉
  3. 9. Technology similar to echolocation — Answer: SONAR. Hint: It locates objects by sending out sound waves and listening for echoes. 📡
  4. 14. Say "I'm grood" instead of "I'm great" or "I'm good," say — Answer: ERR. Hint: That playful mash-up is a mistake in wording. 🤭
  5. 15. Taylor Swift album with "Paper Rings" — Answer: LOVER. Hint: This record is named for an enduring romantic feeling. 💖
  6. 16. Savory flavor — Answer: UMAMI. Hint: Think of the rich, savory depth found in broth or soy sauce. 🍜
  7. 17. "Without further ___ . . ." — Answer: ADO. Hint: The phrase means to proceed without any more delay. ⏩
  8. 18. "I ___ you" ("You're my favorite") — Answer: ADORE. Hint: This affectionate verb is stronger than simply liking someone. 💕
  9. 19. Very fast — Answer: RAPID. Hint: Something described this way moves with great speed. ⚡
  10. 20. Crunched some data — Answer: RANTHENUMBERS. Hint: This means processing figures to find useful results. 🧮
  11. 23. Mambo legend Puente — Answer: TITO. Hint: The missing name belongs to a celebrated Latin bandleader. 🎺
  12. 24. "Hi, it's me, your cat" — Answer: MEOW. Hint: A feline might greet you with this familiar sound. 🐱
  13. 25. Tic-tac-___ — Answer: TOE. Hint: Think of the classic 3×3 game where players race to make a line of three. ❌
  14. 28. Poked around — Answer: SNOOPED. Hint: You did this when you nosed around for private details. 🕵️
  15. 32. "Big yikes" — Answer: OHDEAR. Hint: This mild exclamation captures alarm or dismay. 😬
  16. 34. Like an extravagant ball — Answer: LAVISH. Hint: It describes something richly grand and extravagant. ✨
  17. 37. Round dwellings — Answer: YURTS. Hint: These portable, circular homes are associated with Central Asian nomads. ⛺
  18. 38. Auto accessory for AM/FM pickup — Answer: CARANTENNA. Hint: This vehicle-mounted accessory helps receive radio signals. 📻
  19. 40. Marriott competitor — Answer: HYATT. Hint: This hotel chain is a major rival in the lodging world. 🏨
  20. 42. Signs — Answer: SYMBOLS. Hint: These signs stand for ideas, objects, or meanings. 🔣
  21. 44. Pirate's besties — Answer: MATEYS. Hint: A pirate might affectionately call fellow crew members this. 🏴‍☠️
  22. 46. Quench — Answer: SATIATE. Hint: To do this is to satisfy a thirst or appetite completely. 🥤
  23. 49. "Case of the Ex" singer who performed at Lilith Fair in 1999 — Answer: MYA. Hint: Think of the R&B vocalist behind this memorable breakup anthem. 🎤
  24. 50. Reptar or Yoshi, for short — Answer: DINO. Hint: Use a playful short label for these fictional scaly creatures. 🦖
  25. 53. Smartphone forerunners — Answer: PDAS. Hint: These handheld organizers came before today’s touchscreen phones. 📱
  26. 54. Insects that build nests inside wood — Answer: CARPENTERANTS. Hint: These wood-boring insects excavate their homes rather than eating them. 🐜
  27. 59. Summer camp treat — Answer: SMORE. Hint: Layer chocolate and marshmallow between crackers for this campfire favorite. 🔥
  28. 61. "All kidding ___ . . ." — Answer: ASIDE. Hint: This word completes the phrase meaning “joking aside.” 😉
  29. 62. "r u picking me up soon" — Answer: ETA. Hint: This texting abbreviation asks when someone will arrive. ⏰
  30. 63. High points — Answer: ACMES. Hint: These are the peaks or highest points of something. ⛰️
  31. 64. Party all night long, perhaps — Answer: REVEL. Hint: This verb means to celebrate exuberantly through the night. 🎉
  32. 65. 26-Down alternative, at a coffee shop — Answer: SOY. Hint: At a café, choose this plant-based milk option. ☕
  33. 66. Band instruments that don't fit in backpacks — Answer: TUBAS. Hint: These large brass instruments are hardly portable. 🎺
  34. 67. Like a cold expression — Answer: STONY. Hint: A cold, unfeeling expression can be described this way. 🗿
  35. 68. "Help us!," to ABBA — Answer: SOS. Hint: This famous distress call also appears in an ABBA title. 🆘

Down

  1. 1. "Less than 3" symbols — Answer: HEARTS. Hint: These symbols convey affection in a playful text. 💕
  2. 2. Make official — Answer: ORDAIN. Hint: This verb can mean to authorize officially or install in a clerical role. 📜
  3. 3. "ASAP!" — Answer: PRONTO. Hint: This emphatic word means immediately. ⚡
  4. 4. Unexciting — Answer: BLAH. Hint: Use this casual word for something dull or uninspiring. 😐
  5. 5. Mine deposit — Answer: LODE. Hint: Miners seek this rich vein or deposit underground. ⛏️
  6. 6. Cosmetics brand once sold door-to-door — Answer: AVON. Hint: This cosmetics company became famous for neighborhood sales representatives. 💄
  7. 7. Part of a skin care routine — Answer: SERUM. Hint: Apply this concentrated skincare product before moisturizing. 🧴
  8. 8. HBO series set in New Orleans — Answer: TREME. Hint: This drama captures the vibrant music and culture of post-Katrina New Orleans 📺
  9. 9. "Fine, I'm in" — Answer: SUREWHYNOT. Hint: A casual, enthusiastic way to accept an invitation 🙌
  10. 10. Congresswoman Ilhan — Answer: OMAR. Hint: This Minnesota representative is a prominent progressive voice in Congress 🏛️
  11. 11. Music-sharing service for millennials, once — Answer: NAPSTER. Hint: This pioneering file-sharing platform made digital music downloads famous 🎵
  12. 12. "___ hearing you right?" — Answer: AMI. Hint: This phrase checks whether your understanding is correct 👂
  13. 13. Get ___ of (toss) — Answer: RID. Hint: Complete this phrase meaning to discard something unwanted 🗑️
  14. 21. "Sorry, you missed out" — Answer: TOOLATE. Hint: A phrase for an opportunity that has already passed ⏰
  15. 22. Halloween greeting — Answer: BOO. Hint: A playful spooky exclamation often heard on October 31 🎃
  16. 26. Granola grain — Answer: OAT. Hint: This wholesome breakfast staple is often rolled into flakes for a crunchy snack. 🥣
  17. 27. Where some nurses work (Abbr.) — Answer: ERS. Hint: These hospital units handle urgent medical situations 🚑
  18. 29. Evening shift, perhaps? — Answer: PARTYDRESS. Hint: This kind of shift changes your workwear into something festive 👗
  19. 30. "Casino Royale" star Green — Answer: EVA. Hint: She portrayed Vesper Lynd opposite Daniel Craig 🎬
  20. 31. Rackets — Answer: DINS. Hint: This word describes loud, chaotic noise 📣
  21. 33. Punny La Pirata Brewing offering — Answer: DUALIPA. Hint: This beer name combines a pop star reference with the idea of a pair 🍺
  22. 35. Pig's home — Answer: STY. Hint: A farm animal’s pen provides this humble shelter 🐖
  23. 36. Skirt borders — Answer: HEMS. Hint: These finished edges keep fabric from unraveling 🧵
  24. 38. Underground burial site — Answer: CATACOMB. Hint: Think of a network of subterranean chambers holding the dead 🕯️
  25. 39. Chicago Bulls org. — Answer: NBA. Hint: This major professional basketball league includes Chicago’s team 🏀
  26. 40. "That's a real thinker" — Answer: HMM. Hint: A brief sound suggesting deep consideration 🤔
  27. 41. "Sweet!" — Answer: YAY. Hint: A cheerful exclamation of delight 🎉
  28. 43. Blue Pixar character — Answer: SADNESS. Hint: This Inside Out character represents one of the film’s core emotions 😢
  29. 45. Taste — Answer: SIP. Hint: Take a tiny drink to sample the flavor. 🥤
  30. 47. "Made your mark on me, a golden ___" — Answer: TATTOO. Hint: This lyric evokes permanent body art made with ink. 🎵
  31. 48. Writing assignments — Answer: ESSAYS. Hint: These school tasks ask you to develop ideas in prose. ✍️
  32. 51. Gets closer — Answer: NEARS. Hint: Moves nearer to a person or place. 📍
  33. 52. It's a start — Answer: ONSET. Hint: The beginning of an event or process. 🚦
  34. 55. Zone — Answer: AREA. Hint: Think of a space defined by boundaries and purpose! 📏
  35. 56. Early DVR brand — Answer: TIVO. Hint: A pioneering digital recorder that changed television viewing. 📺
  36. 57. "The Middle" star Sher — Answer: EDEN. Hint: She played Sue Heck on the family sitcom. 🎬
  37. 58. ___ on (trust in) — Answer: RELY. Hint: Complete the phrase meaning to depend on someone. 🤝
  38. 59. Took a chair — Answer: SAT. Hint: What you did when you settled into a seat. 🪑
  39. 60. Franchise that includes "Ms. Marvel" (Abbr.) — Answer: MCU. Hint: This superhero universe includes many Marvel characters. 🦸

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 14, 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
1"One ___ this time" ("Cha Cha Slide" instruction)HOP
4Really fun timeBLAST
9Technology similar to echolocationSONAR
14Say "I'm grood" instead of "I'm great" or "I'm good," sayERR
15Taylor Swift album with "Paper Rings"LOVER
16Savory flavorUMAMI
17"Without further ___ . . ."ADO
18"I ___ you" ("You're my favorite")ADORE
19Very fastRAPID
20Crunched some dataRANTHENUMBERS
23Mambo legend PuenteTITO
24"Hi, it's me, your cat"MEOW
25Tic-tac-___TOE
28Poked aroundSNOOPED
32"Big yikes"OHDEAR
34Like an extravagant ballLAVISH
37Round dwellingsYURTS
38Auto accessory for AM/FM pickupCARANTENNA
40Marriott competitorHYATT
42SignsSYMBOLS
44Pirate's bestiesMATEYS
46QuenchSATIATE
49"Case of the Ex" singer who performed at Lilith Fair in 1999MYA
50Reptar or Yoshi, for shortDINO
53Smartphone forerunnersPDAS
54Insects that build nests inside woodCARPENTERANTS
59Summer camp treatSMORE
61"All kidding ___ . . ."ASIDE
62"r u picking me up soon"ETA
63High pointsACMES
64Party all night long, perhapsREVEL
6526-Down alternative, at a coffee shopSOY
66Band instruments that don't fit in backpacksTUBAS
67Like a cold expressionSTONY
68"Help us!," to ABBASOS

Down

#ClueAnswer
1"Less than 3" symbolsHEARTS
2Make officialORDAIN
3"ASAP!"PRONTO
4UnexcitingBLAH
5Mine depositLODE
6Cosmetics brand once sold door-to-doorAVON
7Part of a skin care routineSERUM
8HBO series set in New OrleansTREME
9"Fine, I'm in"SUREWHYNOT
10Congresswoman IlhanOMAR
11Music-sharing service for millennials, onceNAPSTER
12"___ hearing you right?"AMI
13Get ___ of (toss)RID
21"Sorry, you missed out"TOOLATE
22Halloween greetingBOO
26Granola grainOAT
27Where some nurses work (Abbr.)ERS
29Evening shift, perhaps?PARTYDRESS
30"Casino Royale" star GreenEVA
31RacketsDINS
33Punny La Pirata Brewing offeringDUALIPA
35Pig's homeSTY
36Skirt bordersHEMS
38Underground burial siteCATACOMB
39Chicago Bulls org.NBA
40"That's a real thinker"HMM
41"Sweet!"YAY
43Blue Pixar characterSADNESS
45TasteSIP
47"Made your mark on me, a golden ___"TATTOO
48Writing assignmentsESSAYS
51Gets closerNEARS
52It's a startONSET
55ZoneAREA
56Early DVR brandTIVO
57"The Middle" star SherEDEN
58___ on (trust in)RELY
59Took a chairSAT
60Franchise that includes "Ms. Marvel" (Abbr.)MCU

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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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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  • 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.

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Frequently asked questions

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