USA Today Crossword hints and answers for August 15, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across39
Down37
DaySaturday
Today’s USA Today Crossword clues, hints & answers
Every clue from this puzzle with a hint and the answer behind separate buttons, so you only see what you need. Click a clue for its own page.
Across
1A
Sitting on (4)
Starts with A, ends with PATOP→
11A
"Much ___ About Nothing" (3)
Starts with A, ends with OADO→
14A
"Beloved" novelist Morrison (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITONI→
15A
"Wednesday" star Jenna (6)
Starts with O, ends with AORTEGA→
16A
Provided a meal for (3)
Starts with F, ends with DFED→
17A
Nutrient-dense seedlings (11)
Starts with M, ends with SMICROGREENS→
19A
Letters on many modern Christmas lights (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLED→
20A
Time off from work that might be used to attend to a newborn (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELEAVE→
21A
Friend, in French (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAMI→
22A
They fly, or make baseballs fly (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBATS→
23A
Bit of ink (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTAT→
24A
Data used to aid a business (7)
Starts with M, ends with SMETRICS→
26A
Work boot feature (8)
Starts with S, ends with ESTEELTOE→
30A
"Yikes! A bug!" (3)
Starts with E, ends with KEEK→
31A
401(k) alternatives (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIRAS→
32A
Small whirlpool (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEDDY→
34A
Stop by (5)
Starts with V, ends with TVISIT→
38A
Clothing (4)
Starts with G, ends with BGARB→
39A
Become ready to eat (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRIPEN→
41A
Bygone iPod model (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONANO→
42A
Fabric some erroneously think is a portmanteau of "New York" and "London" (5)
Starts with N, ends with NNYLON→
44A
"Wasn't me" (4)
Starts with N, ends with INOTI→
45A
Eye part that controls the pupil (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIRIS→
46A
Resistance unit (3)
Starts with O, ends with MOHM→
48A
Small crackers introduced in 1987 (8)
Starts with R, ends with SRITZBITS→
50A
"Everyone brings a dish" party (7)
Starts with P, ends with KPOTLUCK→
53A
Carnival location (3)
Starts with R, ends with ORIO→
54A
Lean and strong (4)
Starts with W, ends with YWIRY→
55A
Easy tennis shot to return (3)
Starts with L, ends with BLOB→
56A
Confirm (6)
Starts with A, ends with TATTEST→
60A
Colorful Taylor Swift era (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRED→
61A
"Help!" and "Rubber Soul," e.g. (11)
Starts with A, ends with SALBUMTITLES→
63A
Card in a royal flush (3)
Starts with A, ends with EACE→
64A
Senator Sanders (6)
Starts with B, ends with EBERNIE→
65A
Pig's sound (4)
Starts with O, ends with KOINK→
66A
___ capita (3)
Starts with P, ends with RPER→
67A
Balanced state (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTASIS→
68A
Crosstown rival of the Yankees (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMETS→
Down
1D
Bread box? (3)
Starts with A, ends with MATM→
3D
Only a single time (4)
Starts with O, ends with EONCE→
4D
Popular brand of puffed rice snack (12)
Starts with P, ends with YPIRATESBOOTY→
5D
Eager sort (8)
Starts with G, ends with RGOGETTER→
6D
Surname that sounds like a conjunction (3)
Starts with O, ends with RORR→
7D
Dish that might also be called bao (15)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEAMEDPORKBUNS→
8D
"Come to my office" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESEEME→
9D
Catch fire (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIGNITE→
10D
___ de deux (dance duet) (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPAS→
11D
Company with a spokesduck (5)
Starts with A, ends with CAFLAC→
12D
The 411 (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDEETS→
13D
Ironic things to be even (4)
Starts with O, ends with SODDS→
18D
Track shape (4)
Starts with O, ends with LOVAL→
22D
SpongeBob SquarePants' home (12)
Starts with B, ends with MBIKINIBOTTOM→
25D
Go "Vroom!" (3)
Starts with R, ends with VREV→
26D
The "S" of ASL (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSIGN→
27D
Part of a lunch line stack (4)
Starts with T, ends with YTRAY→
28D
___ Grey tea (4)
Starts with E, ends with LEARL→
29D
One-eyed Norse god (4)
Starts with O, ends with NODIN→
33D
Big name in coolers (4)
Starts with Y, ends with IYETI→
35D
South Asian garment (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISARI→
36D
Not yet eliminated (4)
Starts with I, ends with TINIT→
37D
Ring ___ (carnival game) (4)
Starts with T, ends with STOSS→
40D
Additives in some processed meats (8)
Starts with N, ends with SNITRATES→
43D
Org. that has the Blues (3)
Starts with N, ends with LNHL→
47D
"Business in the front, party in the back" hairstyle (6)
Starts with M, ends with TMULLET→
49D
Commonly baked pasta (4)
Starts with Z, ends with IZITI→
50D
Jigsaw puzzle component (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPIECE→
51D
Say "I'll have the tomato soup, please" (5)
Starts with O, ends with RORDER→
52D
Hooded snake (5)
Starts with C, ends with ACOBRA→
54D
Sandwich alternative (4)
Starts with W, ends with PWRAP→
57D
"Bad Law" author Mystal (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELIE→
58D
In the mail (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSENT→
59D
Scolding sounds (4)
Starts with T, ends with STSKS→
61D
Six-pack muscles (3)
Starts with A, ends with SABS→
62D
Nintendo avatar (3)
Starts with M, ends with IMII→
How to solve the USA Today Crossword
Fill the grid so every Across and Down answer matches its clue. The title explains the theme. Our answer pages list every clue with its answer behind a reveal button, and link to an individual page for each clue.
Want the full method? Read our USA Today Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the USA Today Crossword on the hub.
USA Today Crossword tips for tomorrow
- The title is the theme. USA Today titles describe the theme plainly. Reread it once you have one long answer.
- Expect modern references. Agard's puzzles feature recent music, film and internet culture more than most newspapers.
- Solve the short fill fast. Difficulty is even all week, so three- and four-letter crossings are reliable gimmes.
Done for today? Try LA Times Crossword, Newsday Crossword, NYT Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous USA Today Crossword puzzles
USA Today Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the USA Today Crossword for August 15, 2026?+
76 clues: 39 Across and 37 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Sitting on (ATOP); Tea (GOSSIP); "Much ___ About Nothing" (ADO).
Who edits the USA Today Crossword?+
Erik Agard has edited the USA Today Crossword since 2020.
Where can I find past USA Today Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all answers and a page per clue.
