USA Today Crossword Answers Today

Mars Rover

By Emily Biegas · Edited by Amanda Rafkin

M
I
S
T
Y
V
I
B
E
S
H
A
G
A
C
H
O
O
E
D
E
N
H
O
L
A
M
E
A
T
S
G
O
L
D
I
T
L
L
M
A
R
S
H
M
A
L
L
O
W
P
E
E
P
A
G
O
I
O
N
A
W
E
L
G
A
L
E
N
S
D
I
P
E
A
S
E
L
P
R
E
S
I
D
E
G
P
S
V
E
A
L
M
A
R
S
A
L
A
S
P
I
C
Y
N
I
T
R
O
H
O
N
K
E
C
O
N
O
W
I
E
S
E
W
E
B
A
O
K
I
M
N
E
E
V
E
R
O
N
I
C
A
M
A
R
S
C
A
P
E
R
K
E
T
O
A
S
I
A
A
L
O
N
E
I
M
I
N
S
E
E
M
P
A
I
N
T
E
O
N
S
A
C
R
E

Across

  1. 1Teary-eyedMISTY
  2. 6Energy of a person or placeVIBE
  3. 10High-pile rug typeSHAG
  4. 14Sound sometimes followed by "Gesundheit"ACHOO
  5. 15UtopiaEDEN
  6. 16Spanish greetingHOLA
  7. 17Charcuterie optionsMEATS
  8. 18Expensive bar?GOLD
  9. 19"___ have to do"ITLL
  10. 20Easter basket treatMARSHMALLOWPEEP
  11. 23In the pastAGO
  12. 24It comes with a chargeION
  13. 25WondermentAWE
  14. 26JFK alternativeLGA
  15. 27Fisheye ___ (camera attachment with a bubblelike effect)LENS
  16. 29Muhammara or baba ghanoushDIP
  17. 31Painter's propEASEL
  18. 33Serve as chairpersonPRESIDE
  19. 37Tech that helps you not get lostGPS
  20. 38Trattoria menu stapleVEALMARSALA
  21. 40Like some currySPICY
  22. 42___ cold brewNITRO
  23. 43Goose soundHONK
  24. 44Macro or micro subj.ECON
  25. 46Boo-boosOWIES
  26. 50Fluffy female on a farmEWE
  27. 51___ bun (Chinese snack)BAO
  28. 52"Sex and the City" actress CattrallKIM
  29. 54Word before a maiden nameNEE
  30. 55Teen drama starring Kristen BellVERONICAMARS
  31. 58Fun crime flickCAPER
  32. 61Low-carb dietKETO
  33. 62Where most of Russia is locatedASIA
  34. 63SoloALONE
  35. 64"Sign me up"IMIN
  36. 65Appear to beSEEM
  37. 66Change the wall color, sayPAINT
  38. 67AgesEONS
  39. 68Farm area unitACRE

Down

  1. 1The blue whale is the largest oneMAMMAL
  2. 2Cold period that was dominated by megafaunaICEAGE
  3. 3Singer Jones who fronted the Dap-KingsSHARON
  4. 4Toys for ___ (charity drive)TOTS
  5. 5Dinosaur introduced in "Super Mario World"YOSHI
  6. 6Lifestyle that eschews animal productsVEGANISM
  7. 7Celebrated figureIDOL
  8. 8"The Last of Us" actor RamseyBELLA
  9. 9Provide with a grantENDOW
  10. 10Freighter, for exampleSHIP
  11. 11Resort amenity that may offer massagesHOTELSPA
  12. 12ClaimsALLEGES
  13. 13Rhyming friendGALPAL
  14. 21Fashion industry workerMODEL
  15. 22Teeny-tinyWEE
  16. 28Bit of dustSPECK
  17. 30Instrument that's hard to movePIANO
  18. 32Radiating joyAGLOW
  19. 34Beam of lightRAY
  20. 35Savor the momentDRINKITIN
  21. 36Superlative suffixEST
  22. 38Climbing plantVINE
  23. 39ScentAROMA
  24. 40Female pronounSHE
  25. 41Comic strip syllablePOW
  26. 44Body part that rhymes with "hear"EAR
  27. 45Bake sale treatCOOKIE
  28. 47"Just a moment!"INASEC
  29. 48More likely to creep you outEERIER
  30. 49Type of bagel covered in white seedsSESAME
  31. 51Hat recently sported by John Travolta at CannesBERET
  32. 53Worshipped celebritiesICONS
  33. 55___ diagramVENN
  34. 56Fish who got lost in a 2003 Pixar filmNEMO
  35. 57Tortilla doughMASA
  36. 58Upper limitCAP
  37. 59In the style ofALA
  38. 60Polynesian pastePOI

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Teary-eyed — Answer: MISTY. Hint: Your vision may look this way when tears blur it. 😢
  2. 6. Energy of a person or place — Answer: VIBE. Hint: You can sense this atmosphere or feeling right away. ✨
  3. 10. High-pile rug type — Answer: SHAG. Hint: This rug style is known for its long, fuzzy fibers. 🧶
  4. 14. Sound sometimes followed by "Gesundheit" — Answer: ACHOO. Hint: This is the familiar sound of a sneeze. 🤧
  5. 15. Utopia — Answer: EDEN. Hint: The biblical garden is often pictured as paradise. 🌿
  6. 16. Spanish greeting — Answer: HOLA. Hint: A cheerful salutation you might hear when someone answers the phone in Madrid. 👋
  7. 17. Charcuterie options — Answer: MEATS. Hint: These savory selections often accompany cheese on a board. 🧀
  8. 18. Expensive bar? — Answer: GOLD. Hint: Imagine a drinking establishment made from a precious metal. 🪙
  9. 19. "___ have to do" — Answer: ITLL. Hint: This contraction completes the phrase meaning something will suffice. 🤷
  10. 20. Easter basket treat — Answer: MARSHMALLOWPEEP. Hint: This pastel, chick-shaped candy is a springtime favorite. 🐣
  11. 23. In the past — Answer: AGO. Hint: A little while back, not now 😌
  12. 24. It comes with a charge — Answer: ION. Hint: This electrically charged particle can be positive or negative. ⚡
  13. 25. Wonderment — Answer: AWE. Hint: This feeling of amazement can leave you speechless. 😲
  14. 26. JFK alternative — Answer: LGA. Hint: This New York City airport offers another choice for travelers. ✈️
  15. 27. Fisheye ___ (camera attachment with a bubblelike effect) — Answer: LENS. Hint: This camera attachment creates an exaggerated wide-angle view. 📷
  16. 29. Muhammara or baba ghanoush — Answer: DIP. Hint: Serve these flavorful spreads with pita or vegetables. 🥙
  17. 31. Painter's prop — Answer: EASEL. Hint: An artist rests a canvas on this upright stand. 🎨
  18. 33. Serve as chairperson — Answer: PRESIDE. Hint: Lead a meeting from the head of the table. 🪑
  19. 37. Tech that helps you not get lost — Answer: GPS. Hint: This navigation system guides you with satellite signals. 🗺️
  20. 38. Trattoria menu staple — Answer: VEALMARSALA. Hint: This Italian dish pairs tender meat with a rich fortified-wine sauce. 🍷
  21. 40. Like some curry — Answer: SPICY. Hint: It brings a noticeable kick to your palate. 🌶️
  22. 42. ___ cold brew — Answer: NITRO. Hint: This coffee is infused with gas for a smooth, creamy pour. ☕
  23. 43. Goose sound — Answer: HONK. Hint: It is the noisy call associated with a goose. 🪿
  24. 44. Macro or micro subj. — Answer: ECON. Hint: This school subject examines money, markets, and resources. 📈
  25. 46. Boo-boos — Answer: OWIES. Hint: Small injuries that might need a bandage or two 🩹
  26. 50. Fluffy female on a farm — Answer: EWE. Hint: This woolly barnyard animal is a female sheep. 🐑
  27. 51. ___ bun (Chinese snack) — Answer: BAO. Hint: Fill in this blank for a steamed Chinese bun. 🥟
  28. 52. "Sex and the City" actress Cattrall — Answer: KIM. Hint: She played Samantha Jones in the hit series. 🎬
  29. 54. Word before a maiden name — Answer: NEE. Hint: This term introduces someone's former surname. 📝
  30. 55. Teen drama starring Kristen Bell — Answer: VERONICAMARS. Hint: The title character is a teenage sleuth in this cult series. 🔍
  31. 58. Fun crime flick — Answer: CAPER. Hint: This playful type of movie often follows an entertaining heist. 🎥
  32. 61. Low-carb diet — Answer: KETO. Hint: This eating plan emphasizes fats and limits carbohydrates. 🥑
  33. 62. Where most of Russia is located — Answer: ASIA. Hint: The country's vast eastern portion lies on this continent. 🌏
  34. 63. Solo — Answer: ALONE. Hint: By yourself, with nobody else around 🌟
  35. 64. "Sign me up" — Answer: IMIN. Hint: This phrase enthusiastically signals agreement to participate. 🙋
  36. 65. Appear to be — Answer: SEEM. Hint: It's what happens when things aren't exactly as they seem! 👀
  37. 66. Change the wall color, say — Answer: PAINT. Hint: What you might do with a brush and a fresh can of color. 🖌️
  38. 67. Ages — Answer: EONS. Hint: These are extremely long stretches of time. ⏳
  39. 68. Farm area unit — Answer: ACRE. Hint: This standard land measure is common in agricultural settings. 🚜

Down

  1. 1. The blue whale is the largest one — Answer: MAMMAL. Hint: This animal class includes whales, elephants, and humans. 🐋
  2. 2. Cold period that was dominated by megafauna — Answer: ICEAGE. Hint: Think of the prehistoric era associated with woolly mammoths. 🦣
  3. 3. Singer Jones who fronted the Dap-Kings — Answer: SHARON. Hint: Her powerful retro-soul voice led the Brooklyn band. 🎤
  4. 4. Toys for ___ (charity drive) — Answer: TOTS. Hint: Think of the annual holiday campaign that collects presents for children. 🎁
  5. 5. Dinosaur introduced in "Super Mario World" — Answer: YOSHI. Hint: This green dinosaur is Mario’s loyal platform-game companion. 🦖
  6. 6. Lifestyle that eschews animal products — Answer: VEGANISM. Hint: This plant-based way of living avoids food and goods derived from animals. 🌱
  7. 7. Celebrated figure — Answer: IDOL. Hint: An admired person who is widely looked up to. ⭐
  8. 8. "The Last of Us" actor Ramsey — Answer: BELLA. Hint: This performer portrayed Ellie in the television adaptation. 🎬
  9. 9. Provide with a grant — Answer: ENDOW. Hint: To give money or resources in support of an institution or cause. 💰
  10. 10. Freighter, for example — Answer: SHIP. Hint: A freighter is a type of vessel that carries cargo. 🚢
  11. 11. Resort amenity that may offer massages — Answer: HOTELSPA. Hint: A resort facility where guests can enjoy massages and beauty treatments. 💆
  12. 12. Claims — Answer: ALLEGES. Hint: When someone asserts something without proof, they might be said to do this. 🤔
  13. 13. Rhyming friend — Answer: GALPAL. Hint: A playful rhyming term for a close female friend. 👯
  14. 21. Fashion industry worker — Answer: MODEL. Hint: This person displays clothing for designers and brands. 👗
  15. 22. Teeny-tiny — Answer: WEE. Hint: A charming word meaning extremely small. 🐭
  16. 28. Bit of dust — Answer: SPECK. Hint: A minuscule spot or particle. 🔹
  17. 30. Instrument that's hard to move — Answer: PIANO. Hint: This large keyboard instrument is famously cumbersome to carry. 🎹
  18. 32. Radiating joy — Answer: AGLOW. Hint: Shining with happiness, warmth, or light. ✨
  19. 34. Beam of light — Answer: RAY. Hint: A narrow line of brightness traveling outward. ☀️
  20. 35. Savor the moment — Answer: DRINKITIN. Hint: Take in an experience fully and appreciatively. 🌅
  21. 36. Superlative suffix — Answer: EST. Hint: Think of how you might describe the best of the best! 🏆
  22. 38. Climbing plant — Answer: VINE. Hint: A plant that grows upward by clinging or winding around support. 🌿
  23. 39. Scent — Answer: AROMA. Hint: A noticeable, often pleasant smell. 👃
  24. 40. Female pronoun — Answer: SHE. Hint: A pronoun used when referring to a female person. 👩
  25. 41. Comic strip syllable — Answer: POW. Hint: A classic comic-book sound effect for a hard hit. 💥
  26. 44. Body part that rhymes with "hear" — Answer: EAR. Hint: Think of the body part that helps you listen 👂
  27. 45. Bake sale treat — Answer: COOKIE. Hint: Picture a sweet, handheld baked good 🍪
  28. 47. "Just a moment!" — Answer: INASEC. Hint: A casual way to ask someone to wait briefly ⏳
  29. 48. More likely to creep you out — Answer: EERIER. Hint: Choose the comparative form of spooky 👻
  30. 49. Type of bagel covered in white seeds — Answer: SESAME. Hint: Picture a bagel topped with tiny pale seeds 🥯
  31. 51. Hat recently sported by John Travolta at Cannes — Answer: BERET. Hint: Think of the jaunty French-style hat seen on the red carpet 🎩
  32. 53. Worshipped celebrities — Answer: ICONS. Hint: These stars are treated like idols by their fans ⭐
  33. 55. ___ diagram — Answer: VENN. Hint: This diagram uses overlapping circles to compare groups ⭕
  34. 56. Fish who got lost in a 2003 Pixar film — Answer: NEMO. Hint: Recall the forgetful clownfish from a beloved animated adventure 🐠
  35. 57. Tortilla dough — Answer: MASA. Hint: This corn-based dough is pressed into flat rounds 🌽
  36. 58. Upper limit — Answer: CAP. Hint: Think of a ceiling or maximum allowed amount 🚧
  37. 59. In the style of — Answer: ALA. Hint: Think of a compact phrase meaning “in the manner of” someone or something. 🧭
  38. 60. Polynesian paste — Answer: POI. Hint: This traditional dish is made from pounded root vegetables 🍠

Recent USA Today Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

USA Today 24 August 2026USA Today 23 August 2026USA Today 22 August 2026USA Today 21 August 2026USA Today 20 August 2026USA Today 19 August 2026USA Today 18 August 2026

Looking for today's USA Today Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated August 25, 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
1Teary-eyedMISTY
6Energy of a person or placeVIBE
10High-pile rug typeSHAG
14Sound sometimes followed by "Gesundheit"ACHOO
15UtopiaEDEN
16Spanish greetingHOLA
17Charcuterie optionsMEATS
18Expensive bar?GOLD
19"___ have to do"ITLL
20Easter basket treatMARSHMALLOWPEEP
23In the pastAGO
24It comes with a chargeION
25WondermentAWE
26JFK alternativeLGA
27Fisheye ___ (camera attachment with a bubblelike effect)LENS
29Muhammara or baba ghanoushDIP
31Painter's propEASEL
33Serve as chairpersonPRESIDE
37Tech that helps you not get lostGPS
38Trattoria menu stapleVEALMARSALA
40Like some currySPICY
42___ cold brewNITRO
43Goose soundHONK
44Macro or micro subj.ECON
46Boo-boosOWIES
50Fluffy female on a farmEWE
51___ bun (Chinese snack)BAO
52"Sex and the City" actress CattrallKIM
54Word before a maiden nameNEE
55Teen drama starring Kristen BellVERONICAMARS
58Fun crime flickCAPER
61Low-carb dietKETO
62Where most of Russia is locatedASIA
63SoloALONE
64"Sign me up"IMIN
65Appear to beSEEM
66Change the wall color, sayPAINT
67AgesEONS
68Farm area unitACRE

Down

#ClueAnswer
1The blue whale is the largest oneMAMMAL
2Cold period that was dominated by megafaunaICEAGE
3Singer Jones who fronted the Dap-KingsSHARON
4Toys for ___ (charity drive)TOTS
5Dinosaur introduced in "Super Mario World"YOSHI
6Lifestyle that eschews animal productsVEGANISM
7Celebrated figureIDOL
8"The Last of Us" actor RamseyBELLA
9Provide with a grantENDOW
10Freighter, for exampleSHIP
11Resort amenity that may offer massagesHOTELSPA
12ClaimsALLEGES
13Rhyming friendGALPAL
21Fashion industry workerMODEL
22Teeny-tinyWEE
28Bit of dustSPECK
30Instrument that's hard to movePIANO
32Radiating joyAGLOW
34Beam of lightRAY
35Savor the momentDRINKITIN
36Superlative suffixEST
38Climbing plantVINE
39ScentAROMA
40Female pronounSHE
41Comic strip syllablePOW
44Body part that rhymes with "hear"EAR
45Bake sale treatCOOKIE
47"Just a moment!"INASEC
48More likely to creep you outEERIER
49Type of bagel covered in white seedsSESAME
51Hat recently sported by John Travolta at CannesBERET
53Worshipped celebritiesICONS
55___ diagramVENN
56Fish who got lost in a 2003 Pixar filmNEMO
57Tortilla doughMASA
58Upper limitCAP
59In the style ofALA
60Polynesian pastePOI

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 25, 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.

NYT Crossword Answers NYT Mini Crossword Answers Wordle Hint Today Connections Hint Today Strands Hint Today Quordle Hint Today Contexto Hint Today Spotle Hint Today Minute Cryptic Answer Today Pips Hint Today Jumble Answers Today 7 Little Words Answers