WaPo Crossword Answers Today

Saturday’s Daily

By August Miller · Edited by Patti Varol

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Across

  1. 1Camera setting with a moon iconNIGHTMODE
  2. 10Makes a run for itBOLTS
  3. 15Like rocks and mineralsINORGANIC
  4. 16"Farewell, mon amie"ADIEU
  5. 17Literary figure who rings a bellQUASIMODO
  6. 18Remote spots?SOFAS
  7. 19FinesseART
  8. 20Beach Soccer World Cup org.FIFA
  9. 21Overly caffeinatedWIRED
  10. 22Nancy Drew chumBESS
  11. 24Lab infestationFLEAS
  12. 26"Foxy Brown" doFRO
  13. 28Middle setABS
  14. 31Cousin with floor-length hairITT
  15. 32Heads outGOES
  16. 33"Ugh, I'm so sorry!"THATSTHEWORST
  17. 36Some transformationsCHARACTERARCS
  18. 37"I know, right?!"YOURETELLINME
  19. 38Mackey of "Ella McCay"EMMA
  20. 39"Ceci n'est pas __ pipe"UNE
  21. 40Confidentiality docNDA
  22. 41One bro to another?SIB
  23. 42Takes to heartHEEDS
  24. 44Some "Call the Midwife" figuresNUNS
  25. 48ExclaimsCRIES
  26. 50CrushedACED
  27. 53Pause to catch up?NAP
  28. 54Essential fatty __ACIDS
  29. 55Avoid having to hoof itSNAGARIDE
  30. 57Things to avoidNONOS
  31. 58Like some high-flying performersACROBATIC
  32. 59Point of viewANGLE
  33. 60Jargon in a video game chat, maybeLEETSPEAK

Down

  1. 1Muslim face coveringNIQAB
  2. 2HardenINURE
  3. 3Nannies and kidsGOATS
  4. 4Work wk. unitsHRS
  5. 5Work wk. conclusionTGIF
  6. 6Term of affection para una chicaMAMI
  7. 7Switch positionsONOFF
  8. 8Celebrated, perhapsDIDALITTLEDANCE
  9. 9Italian scholar UmbertoECO
  10. 10"On the __ of Sex": 2018 biopicBASIS
  11. 11Baking soda targetODOR
  12. 12ChiLIFEFORCE
  13. 13Cocktail party attireTEADRESS
  14. 14Kinda sketchSUS
  15. 21Hydrate right after planting, as seedlingsWATERIN
  16. 23Source of siroccosSAHARA
  17. 25Journalist Payne known as the "First Lady of the Black Press"ETHEL
  18. 27German "east"OST
  19. 29UncoveredBARE
  20. 30Hall of Fame figuresSTATUES
  21. 32First poet to perform at the Super BowlGORMAN
  22. 33Comparatively large bandTHUMBRING
  23. 34Theater sectionSCENE
  24. 35Mascara applicatorWAND
  25. 36Gathering that celebrates DC iconsCOMICCON
  26. 37"Love that!"YES
  27. 42"Siddhartha" novelistHESSE
  28. 43"We __ because we care": Monsters, Inc. mottoSCARE
  29. 45Bring togetherUNITE
  30. 46"Russian Doll" protagonistNADIA
  31. 47MoteSPECK
  32. 49Object of reverenceIDOL
  33. 51Spielberg quartetEGOT
  34. 52Tends to a stain, maybeDABS
  35. 54De Armas of "Ballerina"ANA
  36. 55Actor MineoSAL
  37. 56KnockRAP

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Camera setting with a moon icon — Answer: NIGHTMODE. Hint: Look for the camera option that helps capture scenes after sunset. 🌙
  2. 10. Makes a run for it — Answer: BOLTS. Hint: This means suddenly runs away, often in a hurry. 🏃
  3. 15. Like rocks and minerals — Answer: INORGANIC. Hint: In chemistry, this describes matter outside the carbon-based biological realm. 🧪
  4. 16. "Farewell, mon amie" — Answer: ADIEU. Hint: It is a French way to say goodbye. 👋
  5. 17. Literary figure who rings a bell — Answer: QUASIMODO. Hint: Victor Hugo gave this bell-ringer a memorable home at Notre-Dame. 🔔
  6. 18. Remote spots? — Answer: SOFAS. Hint: Think of places where a television remote might be resting. 📺
  7. 19. Finesse — Answer: ART. Hint: This skillful touch turns technique into elegance. 🎨
  8. 20. Beach Soccer World Cup org. — Answer: FIFA. Hint: This international soccer governing body oversees the tournament. ⚽
  9. 21. Overly caffeinated — Answer: WIRED. Hint: Too much coffee can leave someone jittery and unable to relax. ☕
  10. 22. Nancy Drew chum — Answer: BESS. Hint: She is Nancy Drew's loyal friend and frequent companion. 🕵️
  11. 24. Lab infestation — Answer: FLEAS. Hint: Tiny jumping pests have somehow invaded the laboratory. 🪲
  12. 26. "Foxy Brown" do — Answer: FRO. Hint: Think of a rounded, voluminous hairstyle with natural texture. 💇
  13. 28. Middle set — Answer: ABS. Hint: These stomach muscles are celebrated in fitness magazines. 💪
  14. 31. Cousin with floor-length hair — Answer: ITT. Hint: This Addams Family cousin is famous for hair that trails to the floor. 🖤
  15. 32. Heads out — Answer: GOES. Hint: A person who heads out simply departs. 🚪
  16. 33. "Ugh, I'm so sorry!" — Answer: THATSTHEWORST. Hint: This emphatic reaction shows sympathy for a truly unpleasant situation. 😩
  17. 36. Some transformations — Answer: CHARACTERARCS. Hint: In storytelling, these track how people change over time. 📚
  18. 37. "I know, right?!" — Answer: YOURETELLINME. Hint: Use this playful reply when someone shares something you already know. 😄
  19. 38. Mackey of "Ella McCay" — Answer: EMMA. Hint: This actor’s first name is also a classic Austen title. 🎬
  20. 39. "Ceci n'est pas __ pipe" — Answer: UNE. Hint: Complete the French phrase with its feminine indefinite article. 🇫🇷
  21. 40. Confidentiality doc — Answer: NDA. Hint: A short agreement promising you won't share sensitive information. 🤫
  22. 41. One bro to another? — Answer: SIB. Hint: A brother’s casual label for his fellow brother. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑
  23. 42. Takes to heart — Answer: HEEDS. Hint: Pays close attention to advice or warnings. 👂
  24. 44. Some "Call the Midwife" figures — Answer: NUNS. Hint: These religious women appear among the caregivers in the TV drama. ⛪
  25. 48. Exclaims — Answer: CRIES. Hint: Shouts or lets out an emotional exclamation. 📣
  26. 50. Crushed — Answer: ACED. Hint: Did exceptionally well, perhaps on a test. 🏆
  27. 53. Pause to catch up? — Answer: NAP. Hint: A brief snooze can help you catch up on lost sleep. 😴
  28. 54. Essential fatty __ — Answer: ACIDS. Hint: They form the second half of a familiar nutrition phrase about essential fats. 🧪
  29. 55. Avoid having to hoof it — Answer: SNAGARIDE. Hint: Find a lift so you can travel without walking. 🚗
  30. 57. Things to avoid — Answer: NONOS. Hint: These are definite refusals or things best left alone. 🚫
  31. 58. Like some high-flying performers — Answer: ACROBATIC. Hint: Describes performers whose routines involve impressive flips and feats. 🤸
  32. 59. Point of view — Answer: ANGLE. Hint: Your perspective on a subject can be viewed this way. 👀
  33. 60. Jargon in a video game chat, maybe — Answer: LEETSPEAK. Hint: Online gamer jargon may replace ordinary letters with numbers and symbols. 🎮

Down

  1. 1. Muslim face covering — Answer: NIQAB. Hint: This face veil leaves the eyes uncovered. 🧕
  2. 2. Harden — Answer: INURE. Hint: Become accustomed to something difficult through repeated exposure. 💪
  3. 3. Nannies and kids — Answer: GOATS. Hint: These hoofed farm animals include adult females and their young. 🐐
  4. 4. Work wk. units — Answer: HRS. Hint: A work schedule may measure time in these abbreviated units. ⏱️
  5. 5. Work wk. conclusion — Answer: TGIF. Hint: A cheerful office refrain celebrates the arrival of the week’s final workday. 🎉
  6. 6. Term of affection para una chica — Answer: MAMI. Hint: A Spanish-speaking sweetheart might use this affectionate address for a girl. 💕
  7. 7. Switch positions — Answer: ONOFF. Hint: Toggle between two settings with this pair of opposing commands. 🔀
  8. 8. Celebrated, perhaps — Answer: DIDALITTLEDANCE. Hint: A happy person might show approval with a spontaneous little jig. 💃
  9. 9. Italian scholar Umberto — Answer: ECO. Hint: He wrote the medieval mystery novel The Name of the Rose. 📚
  10. 10. "On the __ of Sex": 2018 biopic — Answer: BASIS. Hint: This film portrays Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s fight for gender equality. ⚖️
  11. 11. Baking soda target — Answer: ODOR. Hint: It helps neutralize an unpleasant smell in the refrigerator. 🧂
  12. 12. Chi — Answer: LIFEFORCE. Hint: In Chinese philosophy, this is the vital energy flowing through all living things. 🌬️
  13. 13. Cocktail party attire — Answer: TEADRESS. Hint: Think of a polished, lightweight outfit suitable for a midday social gathering. 👗
  14. 14. Kinda sketch — Answer: SUS. Hint: This slangy abbreviation means questionable or suspicious. 🕵️
  15. 21. Hydrate right after planting, as seedlings — Answer: WATERIN. Hint: Give newly planted seedlings a drink immediately after placing them in soil. 🌱
  16. 23. Source of siroccos — Answer: SAHARA. Hint: This vast North African desert sends hot winds toward the Mediterranean. 🏜️
  17. 25. Journalist Payne known as the "First Lady of the Black Press" — Answer: ETHEL. Hint: Her first name belongs to the pioneering reporter Payne. 📰
  18. 27. German "east" — Answer: OST. Hint: Use the German directional word for the sunrise side. 🧭
  19. 29. Uncovered — Answer: BARE. Hint: Something with no covering or clothing can be described this way. 🫣
  20. 30. Hall of Fame figures — Answer: STATUES. Hint: These honored likenesses may stand in a museum or commemorative hall. 🗿
  21. 32. First poet to perform at the Super Bowl — Answer: GORMAN. Hint: This young inaugural poet made history on the championship stage. 🎤
  22. 33. Comparatively large band — Answer: THUMBRING. Hint: This piece of jewelry is sized for the widest finger. 💍
  23. 34. Theater section — Answer: SCENE. Hint: A play is divided into these dramatic portions. 🎭
  24. 35. Mascara applicator — Answer: WAND. Hint: The slim brush used to coat and separate eyelashes has this magical-sounding name. 👁️
  25. 36. Gathering that celebrates DC icons — Answer: COMICCON. Hint: Fans flock to this convention to celebrate superheroes and comic-book characters. 🦸
  26. 37. "Love that!" — Answer: YES. Hint: An enthusiastic agreement can express this reaction. 🙌
  27. 42. "Siddhartha" novelist — Answer: HESSE. Hint: The author was a German-Swiss writer who also penned Steppenwolf. ✍️
  28. 43. "We __ because we care": Monsters, Inc. motto — Answer: SCARE. Hint: Fill in the blank with what monsters do to frighten people. 👻
  29. 45. Bring together — Answer: UNITE. Hint: Join separate people or things into one. 🤝
  30. 46. "Russian Doll" protagonist — Answer: NADIA. Hint: She repeatedly relives the same night in the acclaimed series. 🔄
  31. 47. Mote — Answer: SPECK. Hint: Think of a tiny spot or particle. ✨
  32. 49. Object of reverence — Answer: IDOL. Hint: This may be a worshiped image or intensely admired person. 🙏
  33. 51. Spielberg quartet — Answer: EGOT. Hint: This prestigious achievement involves winning four major entertainment awards. 🏆
  34. 52. Tends to a stain, maybe — Answer: DABS. Hint: Treats a spot with small, careful pats. 🧽
  35. 54. De Armas of "Ballerina" — Answer: ANA. Hint: Give the actress’s first name. 🎬
  36. 55. Actor Mineo — Answer: SAL. Hint: Recall the first name of the Rebel Without a Cause actor. 🎭
  37. 56. Knock — Answer: RAP. Hint: A quick tap on the door might sound like this. 🚪

Recent WaPo Crossword Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

WaPo Crossword 21 August 2026WaPo Crossword 20 August 2026WaPo Crossword 19 August 2026WaPo Crossword 18 August 2026WaPo Crossword 17 August 2026WaPo Crossword 16 August 2026WaPo Crossword 15 August 2026

Looking for today's Washington Post Crossword answers? The full solution to today's puzzle — dated August 22, 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
1Camera setting with a moon iconNIGHTMODE
10Makes a run for itBOLTS
15Like rocks and mineralsINORGANIC
16"Farewell, mon amie"ADIEU
17Literary figure who rings a bellQUASIMODO
18Remote spots?SOFAS
19FinesseART
20Beach Soccer World Cup org.FIFA
21Overly caffeinatedWIRED
22Nancy Drew chumBESS
24Lab infestationFLEAS
26"Foxy Brown" doFRO
28Middle setABS
31Cousin with floor-length hairITT
32Heads outGOES
33"Ugh, I'm so sorry!"THATSTHEWORST
36Some transformationsCHARACTERARCS
37"I know, right?!"YOURETELLINME
38Mackey of "Ella McCay"EMMA
39"Ceci n'est pas __ pipe"UNE
40Confidentiality docNDA
41One bro to another?SIB
42Takes to heartHEEDS
44Some "Call the Midwife" figuresNUNS
48ExclaimsCRIES
50CrushedACED
53Pause to catch up?NAP
54Essential fatty __ACIDS
55Avoid having to hoof itSNAGARIDE
57Things to avoidNONOS
58Like some high-flying performersACROBATIC
59Point of viewANGLE
60Jargon in a video game chat, maybeLEETSPEAK

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Muslim face coveringNIQAB
2HardenINURE
3Nannies and kidsGOATS
4Work wk. unitsHRS
5Work wk. conclusionTGIF
6Term of affection para una chicaMAMI
7Switch positionsONOFF
8Celebrated, perhapsDIDALITTLEDANCE
9Italian scholar UmbertoECO
10"On the __ of Sex": 2018 biopicBASIS
11Baking soda targetODOR
12ChiLIFEFORCE
13Cocktail party attireTEADRESS
14Kinda sketchSUS
21Hydrate right after planting, as seedlingsWATERIN
23Source of siroccosSAHARA
25Journalist Payne known as the "First Lady of the Black Press"ETHEL
27German "east"OST
29UncoveredBARE
30Hall of Fame figuresSTATUES
32First poet to perform at the Super BowlGORMAN
33Comparatively large bandTHUMBRING
34Theater sectionSCENE
35Mascara applicatorWAND
36Gathering that celebrates DC iconsCOMICCON
37"Love that!"YES
42"Siddhartha" novelistHESSE
43"We __ because we care": Monsters, Inc. mottoSCARE
45Bring togetherUNITE
46"Russian Doll" protagonistNADIA
47MoteSPECK
49Object of reverenceIDOL
51Spielberg quartetEGOT
52Tends to a stain, maybeDABS
54De Armas of "Ballerina"ANA
55Actor MineoSAL
56KnockRAP

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

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  • 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.

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Frequently asked questions

What are today's Washington Post Crossword answers?

The full Across and Down solution for today's puzzle (August 22, 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