USA Today Crossword hints and answers for August 18, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across35
Down41
DayTuesday
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
Like the deity Xipe Totec (5)
Starts with A, ends with CAZTEC→
6A
Bubble bath stuff (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSUDS→
10A
Rankings above corporals (Abbr.) (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSGTS→
14A
"Put me in, ___!" (5)
Starts with C, ends with HCOACH→
15A
Raindrop sound (4)
Starts with P, ends with PPLOP→
16A
Voyage (4)
Starts with T, ends with PTRIP→
17A
"Same here!" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ISODOI→
18A
Skin condition (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACNE→
19A
Italian meat-based sauce (4)
Starts with R, ends with URAGU→
20A
Program designed to prevent "burn-in" (11)
Starts with S, ends with RSCREENSAVER→
23A
Pittsburgh football player (7)
Starts with S, ends with RSTEELER→
26A
Handy types (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDIYERS→
27A
Rice dish with saffron (6)
Starts with P, ends with APAELLA→
28A
U-turn from NNW (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESSE→
29A
Sicilian peak (4)
Starts with E, ends with AETNA→
30A
"Yeah, su-u-ure" (4)
Starts with I, ends with TIBET→
33A
"Everywhere you want to be" cards (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVISAS→
38A
Trash service (15)
Starts with W, ends with TWASTEMANAGEMENT→
41A
Scornful look (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSNEER→
42A
An apple for Apple, e.g. (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLOGO→
43A
Bread often served with hummus (4)
Starts with P, ends with APITA→
44A
It's "just a number" (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAGE→
46A
Warmup band (6)
Starts with O, ends with ROPENER→
48A
West Texas city (6)
Starts with E, ends with OELPASO→
52A
Made it to the Olympic podium (7)
Starts with M, ends with DMEDALED→
54A
Person who helps mediate disputes (11)
Starts with P, ends with RPEACEKEEPER→
56A
Toolbar heading (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEDIT→
57A
Pop-ups' paths (4)
Starts with A, ends with SARCS→
58A
Restless (5)
Starts with A, ends with YANTSY→
63A
Toaster waffle brand (4)
Starts with E, ends with OEGGO→
64A
Puerto ___ (4)
Starts with R, ends with ORICO→
65A
Photographer Arbus (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDIANE→
66A
Crystal ball user (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSEER→
67A
___ USA (4)
Starts with T, ends with MTEAM→
68A
Trade fairs (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEXPOS→
Down
1D
Cooling systems, for short (3)
Starts with A, ends with SACS→
2D
Metaphor for a chaotic place (3)
Starts with Z, ends with OZOO→
3D
Smidgen (3)
Starts with T, ends with DTAD→
4D
___ mode (hybrid vehicle setting, often) (3)
Starts with E, ends with OECO→
5D
Wedge-shaped hand tool (6)
Starts with C, ends with LCHISEL→
6D
Result from picking up a 7-10 split (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPARE→
7D
Stomach sore (5)
Starts with U, ends with RULCER→
9D
Doesn't save (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSPENDS→
10D
Wander off course (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSTRAY→
11D
"Take This to Your ___" (Fall Out Boy album) (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGRAVE→
12D
Tony the ___ (Frosted Flakes mascot) (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTIGER→
13D
Victor Wembanyama's 67-Across (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSPURS→
21D
Insurance filing (5)
Starts with C, ends with MCLAIM→
22D
Kitchen tool with holes, or a metaphorical faulty memory (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESIEVE→
23D
The Devil (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSATAN→
24D
High-strung (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETENSE→
25D
Fill with joy (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELATE→
27D
Church benches (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPEWS→
28D
Doe's mate (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSTAG→
31D
Unit of hay (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBALE→
32D
"Discreet Music" artist Brian (3)
Starts with E, ends with OENO→
34D
Push into action (5)
Starts with I, ends with LIMPEL→
35D
River that served as a backdrop for the 2024 Olympics' opening ceremony (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESEINE→
36D
Paid for some cards (5)
Starts with A, ends with DANTED→
37D
One of an estimated 100-400 billion in the Milky Way (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSTAR→
39D
Dry-___ marker (5)
Starts with E, ends with EERASE→
40D
"Imagine Me & You" star Matthew (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGOODE→
45D
Racing vehicle (6)
Starts with G, ends with TGOKART→
47D
Pride Month celebration with floats (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPARADE→
48D
Many fencing blades (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEPEES→
49D
Climber's resting area (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELEDGE→
50D
WNBA player Bueckers (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPAIGE→
51D
Performer in a play (5)
Starts with A, ends with RACTOR→
52D
Hajj destination (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMECCA→
53D
___ salts (5)
Starts with E, ends with MEPSOM→
55D
Lake named after an Indigenous people (4)
Starts with E, ends with EERIE→
60D
Keg component (3)
Starts with T, ends with PTAP→
61D
___-cone (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSNO→
62D
Hai, in English (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYES→
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 18, 2026?+
76 clues: 35 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Like the deity Xipe Totec (AZTEC); Bubble bath stuff (SUDS); Rankings above corporals (Abbr.) (SGTS).
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.
