WaPo Crossword Answers Today

Wednesday’s Daily

By Erik Agard · Edited by Patti Varol

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Across

  1. 1Succeed in a classPASS
  2. 5With 47-Down, tropical shade providersPALM
  3. 9Content warning lettersNSFW
  4. 13Two-tone apex predatorORCA
  5. 14Inventor's jumping-off pointIDEA
  6. 15Underwater detectorSONAR
  7. 16"I like it!"LOOKSGOOD
  8. 18LocationPLACE
  9. 19Out like a lightASLEEP
  10. 20Vintner's harvestGRAPES
  11. 21Top stripe of a pride flagRED
  12. 22Lousy gradeDEE
  13. 24"Gosh!"GEE
  14. 25Channel with music videos and "Reba" rerunsCMT
  15. 26Bucket list item, perhapsLONGTIMEGOAL
  16. 29Statistical averageMEAN
  17. 31JokesGAGS
  18. 32Cunning planRUSE
  19. 33"A Change Is __ Come"GONNA
  20. 34Victor Wembanyama's org.NBA
  21. 35Features of 4c hairKINKS
  22. 36A single timeONCE
  23. 37Plant anchorROOT
  24. 38CPR prosEMTS
  25. 39Not rigidLOOSEYGOOSEY
  26. 42Seasonal vaccine targetFLU
  27. 43Some undergrad degs.BAS
  28. 44Fleeting snoozeNAP
  29. 45Pvt. trainerSGT
  30. 48Chicken __ bleuCORDON
  31. 50Throw trash away, but not in a trash canLITTER
  32. 52An additional timeAGAIN
  33. 53Distance shot in basketball, or what 16-, 26-, and 39-Across are altogether?LOGOTHREE
  34. 56Sport with scrumsRUGBY
  35. 57Component of steelIRON
  36. 58Lack of difficultyEASE
  37. 59Simple topsTEES
  38. 60Domestic four-leggersPETS
  39. 61"Their __ Were Watching God"EYES

Down

  1. 1Big name in seltzer waterPOLAR
  2. 2Came upAROSE
  3. 3Give a talking-toSCOLD
  4. 4"For goodness' __!"SAKE
  5. 5Animal enclosure with a namesake cipherPIGPEN
  6. 6"And now, without further __ ... "ADO
  7. 7Sign before VirgoLEO
  8. 8Ticked offMAD
  9. 9Mardi Gras city, familiarlyNOLA
  10. 10Signals called by a quarterback before each playSNAPCOUNT
  11. 11Protections against respiratory illnessesFACEMASKS
  12. 12Competes on a matWRESTLES
  13. 15Shopping jagSPREE
  14. 17Arizona city near the Seven Sacred PoolsSEDONA
  15. 20Precious stonesGEMS
  16. 23Creamy Christmas concoctionsEGGNOGS
  17. 24Huge unit of massGIGATON
  18. 26Pool divisionsLANES
  19. 27Like a dirty wordTABOO
  20. 28DirtyGRIMY
  21. 29Actor's audition selectionMONOLOGUE
  22. 30Spur onENCOURAGE
  23. 33Transport on the way to sink a puttGOLFCART
  24. 35"You hang on to that"KEEPIT
  25. 37"Sinners" director CooglerRYAN
  26. 40Dark woodEBONY
  27. 41Makeover sitesSALONS
  28. 45Wander offSTRAY
  29. 46V-formation flyersGEESE
  30. 47See 5-AcrossTREES
  31. 49"I call it!"DIBS
  32. 51Old-school "you"THEE
  33. 53GuffLIP
  34. 54Metallic resourceORE
  35. 55DupedGOT

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Succeed in a class — Answer: PASS. Hint: Earn a high enough grade to move on to the next level 📚
  2. 5. With 47-Down, tropical shade providers — Answer: PALM. Hint: Think of the leafy beach trees that make a tropical getaway feel delightfully shady 🌴
  3. 9. Content warning letters — Answer: NSFW. Hint: These initials flag material that may be unsuitable for viewing at work or around kids. ⚠️
  4. 13. Two-tone apex predator — Answer: ORCA. Hint: Think of the black-and-white ocean hunter often called a killer whale. 🐋
  5. 14. Inventor's jumping-off point — Answer: IDEA. Hint: It’s the first creative spark from which an invention can grow. 💡
  6. 15. Underwater detector — Answer: SONAR. Hint: It uses sound waves to locate objects beneath the surface. 🌊
  7. 16. "I like it!" — Answer: LOOKSGOOD. Hint: A cheerful way to show approval when something pleases you 👍
  8. 18. Location — Answer: PLACE. Hint: Think of a spot, setting, or point on a map. 📍
  9. 19. Out like a light — Answer: ASLEEP. Hint: This describes someone who has drifted into dreamland. 😴
  10. 20. Vintner's harvest — Answer: GRAPES. Hint: What a winemaker gathers in the vineyard before turning it into wine? 🍇
  11. 21. Top stripe of a pride flag — Answer: RED. Hint: Think of the warm color that appears first on the classic rainbow-striped flag. 🌈
  12. 22. Lousy grade — Answer: DEE. Hint: Think of the letter-name that sounds like a poor mark on a report card. 📝
  13. 24. "Gosh!" — Answer: GEE. Hint: A brief exclamation of surprise or wonder 😮
  14. 25. Channel with music videos and "Reba" reruns — Answer: CMT. Hint: Think of the TV network where country tunes and sitcom reruns share the spotlight 📺
  15. 26. Bucket list item, perhaps — Answer: LONGTIMEGOAL. Hint: A dream you’ve been saving for years might earn a spot here. 🎯
  16. 29. Statistical average — Answer: MEAN. Hint: In math, find this by adding all the values and dividing by how many there are 📊
  17. 31. Jokes — Answer: GAGS. Hint: They’re short bits of humor meant to make people laugh. 😂
  18. 32. Cunning plan — Answer: RUSE. Hint: A sneaky scheme designed to fool someone might fit the bill. 🕵️
  19. 33. "A Change Is __ Come" — Answer: GONNA. Hint: This casual phrase completes Sam Cooke’s famous lyric about change arriving. 🎶
  20. 34. Victor Wembanyama's org. — Answer: NBA. Hint: This is the top professional basketball league where the towering rookie plays 🏀
  21. 35. Features of 4c hair — Answer: KINKS. Hint: Think of the natural twists and bends found in tightly coiled hair. 🌀
  22. 36. A single time — Answer: ONCE. Hint: It happened just one time, not twice. ☝️
  23. 37. Plant anchor — Answer: ROOT. Hint: It grips the soil and keeps a plant standing tall. 🌱
  24. 38. CPR pros — Answer: EMTS. Hint: These emergency responders are trained to revive someone in a crisis. 🚑
  25. 39. Not rigid — Answer: LOOSEYGOOSEY. Hint: Describes something relaxed, flexible, and free from strict control. 🪶
  26. 42. Seasonal vaccine target — Answer: FLU. Hint: A yearly shot helps protect against this common wintertime illness 💉
  27. 43. Some undergrad degs. — Answer: BAS. Hint: Think of the abbreviated academic credentials students may earn before graduate school 🎓
  28. 44. Fleeting snooze — Answer: NAP. Hint: A brief bit of sleep that disappears almost as soon as it begins 😴
  29. 45. Pvt. trainer — Answer: SGT. Hint: Think of the military rank that might train a private. 🪖
  30. 48. Chicken __ bleu — Answer: CORDON. Hint: Think of the French-style chicken dish wrapped around ham and cheese. 🍗
  31. 50. Throw trash away, but not in a trash can — Answer: LITTER. Hint: Think of the careless act of leaving rubbish scattered in public places. 🗑️
  32. 52. An additional time — Answer: AGAIN. Hint: It means doing something one more time 🔁
  33. 53. Distance shot in basketball, or what 16-, 26-, and 39-Across are altogether? — Answer: LOGOTHREE. Hint: Picture a basketball shot from beyond the arc, then ask what the three entries collectively represent. 🏀
  34. 56. Sport with scrums — Answer: RUGBY. Hint: Think of the team sport where players battle for possession in a tightly packed formation 🏉
  35. 57. Component of steel — Answer: IRON. Hint: Think of the elemental metal that combines with carbon to make steel. ⚙️
  36. 58. Lack of difficulty — Answer: EASE. Hint: Think of how smoothly something goes when nothing feels challenging 😊
  37. 59. Simple tops — Answer: TEES. Hint: Think of casual shirt styles that share their name with golf supports. 👕
  38. 60. Domestic four-leggers — Answer: PETS. Hint: Think of the beloved animal companions that share a home with people 🐾
  39. 61. "Their __ Were Watching God" — Answer: EYES. Hint: Zora Neale Hurston’s celebrated novel centers on the organs people use to see. 👀

Down

  1. 1. Big name in seltzer water — Answer: POLAR. Hint: Think of a bubbly water brand with a cool, wintry name. ❄️
  2. 2. Came up — Answer: AROSE. Hint: Think of what someone did when they rose from bed or a chair. 🌅
  3. 3. Give a talking-to — Answer: SCOLD. Hint: Offer someone a stern verbal reprimand. 🗣️
  4. 4. "For goodness' __!" — Answer: SAKE. Hint: A mild exclamation used to show surprise, frustration, or urgency 😅
  5. 5. Animal enclosure with a namesake cipher — Answer: PIGPEN. Hint: Think of a humble farmyard shelter that shares its name with a geometric cipher system. 🐷
  6. 6. "And now, without further __ ... " — Answer: ADO. Hint: This phrase signals that it’s time to stop delaying and get on with it. ⏩
  7. 7. Sign before Virgo — Answer: LEO. Hint: Look for the zodiac sign that comes immediately before Virgo. ✨
  8. 8. Ticked off — Answer: MAD. Hint: Feeling pretty angry or annoyed 😠
  9. 9. Mardi Gras city, familiarly — Answer: NOLA. Hint: Think of the lively Louisiana city famous for jazz, parades, and Mardi Gras beads. 🎭
  10. 10. Signals called by a quarterback before each play — Answer: SNAPCOUNT. Hint: The quarterback’s pre-play vocal cues tell the offense when to begin. 🏈
  11. 11. Protections against respiratory illnesses — Answer: FACEMASKS. Hint: These coverings over the nose and mouth help keep germs at bay. 😷
  12. 12. Competes on a mat — Answer: WRESTLES. Hint: Grapples with an opponent on a padded surface 🤼
  13. 15. Shopping jag — Answer: SPREE. Hint: A joyful bout of retail therapy might be described this way. 🛍️
  14. 17. Arizona city near the Seven Sacred Pools — Answer: SEDONA. Hint: This red-rock Arizona town is a gateway to the lush pools of Oak Creek Canyon 🏜️
  15. 20. Precious stones — Answer: GEMS. Hint: Sparkling treasures often set in rings or necklaces 💎
  16. 23. Creamy Christmas concoctions — Answer: EGGNOGS. Hint: Think of rich holiday drinks made with eggs, milk, and festive spices 🎄
  17. 24. Huge unit of mass — Answer: GIGATON. Hint: Think of a colossal measurement often used to describe the force of massive explosions. 💥
  18. 26. Pool divisions — Answer: LANES. Hint: Swimmers race in these marked sections of a pool 🏊
  19. 27. Like a dirty word — Answer: TABOO. Hint: Think of something considered socially forbidden or unfit for polite conversation 🚫
  20. 28. Dirty — Answer: GRIMY. Hint: Not clean, perhaps covered in mud or soot 🧼
  21. 29. Actor's audition selection — Answer: MONOLOGUE. Hint: An actor may prepare this solo speech to showcase their range at tryouts 🎭
  22. 30. Spur on — Answer: ENCOURAGE. Hint: Give someone the confidence and motivation to keep going. 💪
  23. 33. Transport on the way to sink a putt — Answer: GOLFCART. Hint: A small motorized ride that carries golfers and their clubs around the course. 🏌️
  24. 35. "You hang on to that" — Answer: KEEPIT. Hint: A friend might say this when urging you not to let something go. 🤲
  25. 37. "Sinners" director Coogler — Answer: RYAN. Hint: This filmmaker shares a first name with actor Reynolds. 🎬
  26. 40. Dark wood — Answer: EBONY. Hint: Think of the dense black hardwood traditionally used for piano keys. 🎹
  27. 41. Makeover sites — Answer: SALONS. Hint: Places where stylists give haircuts, color, and other beauty treatments. 💇‍♀️
  28. 45. Wander off — Answer: STRAY. Hint: Drift away from the path or group, perhaps without meaning to 🚶
  29. 46. V-formation flyers — Answer: GEESE. Hint: These honking birds often travel in a neat arrowhead formation. 🪿
  30. 47. See 5-Across — Answer: TREES. Hint: Check 5-Across for the clue that unlocks this entry. 🔎
  31. 49. "I call it!" — Answer: DIBS. Hint: A quick way to claim something before anyone else does! 🙋
  32. 51. Old-school "you" — Answer: THEE. Hint: A poetic, old-fashioned way to address someone directly 📜
  33. 53. Guff — Answer: LIP. Hint: This is cheeky backtalk or empty chatter. 😏
  34. 54. Metallic resource — Answer: ORE. Hint: A mine may yield this valuable material for smelting. ⛏️
  35. 55. Duped — Answer: GOT. Hint: Think of what a prankster may have done to a gullible friend. 😄

Recent WaPo Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

WaPo Crossword 11 August 2026WaPo Crossword 10 August 2026WaPo Crossword 9 August 2026WaPo Crossword 8 August 2026WaPo Crossword 7 August 2026WaPo Crossword 6 August 2026WaPo Crossword 5 August 2026

Looking for today's Washington Post 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 WaPo crossword is a free daily 15×15 with fair, conversational cluing, played by millions online. Whether you're checking a finished grid, unlocking one stubborn square, or want the whole answer key, every across and down solution is listed below.

Full WaPo 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
1Succeed in a classPASS
5With 47-Down, tropical shade providersPALM
9Content warning lettersNSFW
13Two-tone apex predatorORCA
14Inventor's jumping-off pointIDEA
15Underwater detectorSONAR
16"I like it!"LOOKSGOOD
18LocationPLACE
19Out like a lightASLEEP
20Vintner's harvestGRAPES
21Top stripe of a pride flagRED
22Lousy gradeDEE
24"Gosh!"GEE
25Channel with music videos and "Reba" rerunsCMT
26Bucket list item, perhapsLONGTIMEGOAL
29Statistical averageMEAN
31JokesGAGS
32Cunning planRUSE
33"A Change Is __ Come"GONNA
34Victor Wembanyama's org.NBA
35Features of 4c hairKINKS
36A single timeONCE
37Plant anchorROOT
38CPR prosEMTS
39Not rigidLOOSEYGOOSEY
42Seasonal vaccine targetFLU
43Some undergrad degs.BAS
44Fleeting snoozeNAP
45Pvt. trainerSGT
48Chicken __ bleuCORDON
50Throw trash away, but not in a trash canLITTER
52An additional timeAGAIN
53Distance shot in basketball, or what 16-, 26-, and 39-Across are altogether?LOGOTHREE
56Sport with scrumsRUGBY
57Component of steelIRON
58Lack of difficultyEASE
59Simple topsTEES
60Domestic four-leggersPETS
61"Their __ Were Watching God"EYES

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Big name in seltzer waterPOLAR
2Came upAROSE
3Give a talking-toSCOLD
4"For goodness' __!"SAKE
5Animal enclosure with a namesake cipherPIGPEN
6"And now, without further __ ... "ADO
7Sign before VirgoLEO
8Ticked offMAD
9Mardi Gras city, familiarlyNOLA
10Signals called by a quarterback before each playSNAPCOUNT
11Protections against respiratory illnessesFACEMASKS
12Competes on a matWRESTLES
15Shopping jagSPREE
17Arizona city near the Seven Sacred PoolsSEDONA
20Precious stonesGEMS
23Creamy Christmas concoctionsEGGNOGS
24Huge unit of massGIGATON
26Pool divisionsLANES
27Like a dirty wordTABOO
28DirtyGRIMY
29Actor's audition selectionMONOLOGUE
30Spur onENCOURAGE
33Transport on the way to sink a puttGOLFCART
35"You hang on to that"KEEPIT
37"Sinners" director CooglerRYAN
40Dark woodEBONY
41Makeover sitesSALONS
45Wander offSTRAY
46V-formation flyersGEESE
47See 5-AcrossTREES
49"I call it!"DIBS
51Old-school "you"THEE
53GuffLIP
54Metallic resourceORE
55DupedGOT

Today's Washington Post Crossword answers

Today's solution appears above, laid out clue by clue — every Across answer followed by every Down answer, exactly as the grid reads. Because a full crossword shares so many crossings, one wrong letter can block a whole corner, so we list each answer separately: reveal only the one you need and keep solving the rest yourself. The grid is confirmed and refreshed daily as soon as the puzzle is published.

What is the Washington Post Crossword?

The Washington Post Crossword is the paper's free daily puzzle — a classic American 15×15 on weekdays (larger on Sunday), played at washingtonpost.com/games/crossword. It's known for fair, conversational cluing and approachable themes: a solid everyday solve that sits neatly between a quick mini and the toughest end of the NYT week. Millions of solvers treat it as a weekday habit, which is why a single tricky clue can send people hunting for just that one answer without spoiling the rest of the grid.

How the WaPo Crossword compares to other dailies

It shares the same 15×15 shape as the big American dailies, with its own editorial voice:

WaPoNYT (main)LA Times
Grid size15×15 (larger Sunday)15×15 (21×21 Sunday)15×15 (larger Sunday)
DifficultyAccessible, fairRamps to a hard SaturdayAccessible, smooth
CostFree onlineGames subscriptionFree online
Clue styleConversational themesHeavy wordplay, misdirectionFair, playful themes

Tips for solving the WaPo Crossword

  • Crack the theme early. Long theme answers often share a twist — spotting it hands you several entries at once.
  • Start with the fill-in-the-blanks. They're the quickest points and flood the grid with crossing letters.
  • Trust the crossings. A clue you can't get alone usually falls once its crossing words are in place.
  • Watch the endings. Plurals end in S, past-tense answers in ED — free letters once you notice the clue's tense.
  • 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 Washington Post Crossword answers

Every previous WaPo Crossword is archived on this page by date, with its full across and down solutions — handy for checking yesterday's grid or one you set aside. The archive updates automatically each day, so it stays complete without spoiling the current day. Stuck on a single clue, our crossword solver will reveal just that answer.

Browse more puzzles on the crossword solver, or use it to crack any clue from any publication.

Frequently asked questions

What are today's Washington Post 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.

Is the Washington Post Crossword free?

Yes — it's free to play online each day at washingtonpost.com/games/crossword, and our answers and clues are free too.

How do I see just one answer without spoiling the rest?

Each answer is listed separately, so you can reveal only the clue you're stuck on and keep solving the rest of the grid yourself.

How is the WaPo Crossword different from the WaPo Mini?

The daily crossword is a full 15×15 (larger on Sunday); the Mini is a tiny speed puzzle. Same publisher, different size and solve time.

Where can I find past Washington Post Crossword 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