USA Today Crossword hints and answers for August 28, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
DayFriday
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
Season ticket holder, maybe (3)
Starts with F, ends with NFAN→
4A
Org. where you could see a Fever-Dream matchup (4)
Starts with W, ends with AWNBA→
8A
Playful aquatic mammal (5)
Starts with O, ends with ROTTER→
13A
The "A" of IPA (3)
Starts with A, ends with EALE→
14A
Get well (4)
Starts with H, ends with LHEAL→
15A
Male honeybee (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDRONE→
16A
Unbaked batch in a mixing bowl (14)
Starts with R, ends with HRAWCOOKIEDOUGH→
19A
Glistened (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHONE→
20A
Attempts again (7)
Starts with R, ends with SRETRIES→
22A
Glee club section (5)
Starts with A, ends with SALTOS→
24A
"That's my bone!" sound (3)
Starts with G, ends with RGRR→
25A
Pesky flying bug (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGNAT→
26A
Whisper sweet nothings (3)
Starts with C, ends with OCOO→
27A
Hostess snack cakes (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHOHOS→
30A
Worries (5)
Starts with F, ends with SFRETS→
31A
Overly theatrical thespians (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHAMS→
33A
"I'm the best cow ever!" (3)
Starts with M, ends with OMOO→
34A
No amateur (3)
Starts with P, ends with OPRO→
35A
Dining spot about which you might say "It's a total sty around here!" (13)
Starts with F, ends with HFEEDINGTROUGH→
40A
Club on a diamond? (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBAT→
41A
Sai kok cuisine (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLAO→
42A
One who converts feet into meter? (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPOET→
44A
"I can't believe it!" (5)
Starts with N, ends with YNOWAY→
47A
Patches up (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMENDS→
49A
___ Four (The Beatles) (3)
Starts with F, ends with BFAB→
50A
Notable periods (4)
Starts with E, ends with SERAS→
51A
Small batteries (3)
Starts with A, ends with SAAS→
52A
Bizarre (5)
Starts with W, ends with DWEIRD→
54A
Activity at a winery (7)
Starts with T, ends with GTASTING→
56A
"___ and a miss!" (5)
Starts with S, ends with GSWING→
58A
"Don't just say the first thing that comes to mind!" (14)
Starts with T, ends with HTHINKITTHROUGH→
62A
The first one was sent in 1971 (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEMAIL→
63A
Lab order? (4)
Starts with H, ends with LHEEL→
64A
2016 Olympics locale (3)
Starts with R, ends with ORIO→
65A
Al ___ (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDENTE→
66A
Mas that baa (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEWES→
67A
Croque madame ingredient (3)
Starts with E, ends with GEGG→
Down
1D
Distant (3)
Starts with F, ends with RFAR→
2D
Chicken ___ king (3)
Starts with A, ends with AALA→
3D
"First I'm hearing of this" (8)
Starts with N, ends with ENEWSTOME→
4D
Rushing sound (6)
Starts with W, ends with HWHOOSH→
5D
Gas in a diner sign (4)
Starts with N, ends with NNEON→
6D
Make cupcakes, for example (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBAKE→
7D
Boxer Laila (3)
Starts with A, ends with IALI→
8D
More out-there (5)
Starts with O, ends with RODDER→
9D
Home run hitter's pace, perhaps (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTROT→
10D
Sightseers led by a guide, say (9)
Starts with T, ends with PTOURGROUP→
11D
V-8, for one (6)
Starts with E, ends with EENGINE→
12D
Prepare, like leftovers (6)
Starts with R, ends with TREHEAT→
17D
"Fire Island" actor Margaret (3)
Starts with C, ends with OCHO→
18D
Makes a boo-boo (4)
Starts with E, ends with SERRS→
21D
Ave. crossers (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSTS→
22D
German exclamation hidden in "Didn't stand a chance" (3)
Starts with A, ends with HACH→
23D
___ pose (resting cat's position) (4)
Starts with L, ends with FLOAF→
24D
Looks up, in a way (7)
Starts with G, ends with SGOOGLES→
28D
Exclude (4)
Starts with O, ends with TOMIT→
29D
Sugar substitute? (3)
Starts with H, ends with NHON→
30D
To and ___ (3)
Starts with F, ends with OFRO→
32D
Crab who sings "Under the Sea" (9)
Starts with S, ends with NSEBASTIAN→
34D
Give a nudge to (4)
Starts with P, ends with DPROD→
36D
1,440 minutes (3)
Starts with D, ends with YDAY→
37D
Light brown (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTAN→
38D
"Who'd've thunk it?" (8)
Starts with G, ends with EGOFIGURE→
39D
Listen to (4)
Starts with H, ends with RHEAR→
43D
"Watch this space for more info" (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with T, ends with DTBD→
44D
Badminton divider (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNET→
45D
Delivered a speech (6)
Starts with O, ends with DORATED→
46D
Phrase written on a dirty car (6)
Starts with W, ends with EWASHME→
47D
"The Gift of the ___" (O. Henry story) (4)
Starts with M, ends with IMAGI→
48D
Soft-serve patterns (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSWIRLS→
51D
Lower leg joint (5)
Starts with A, ends with EANKLE→
53D
"Music for Airports" artist Brian (3)
Starts with E, ends with OENO→
55D
Still able to win (4)
Starts with I, ends with TINIT→
57D
"I am having so much fun on Goofy's Sky School!" (4)
Starts with W, ends with EWHEE→
59D
Common article (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETHE→
60D
Short-term job (3)
Starts with G, ends with GGIG→
61D
Monopolize (3)
Starts with H, ends with GHOG→
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 28, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Season ticket holder, maybe (FAN); Org. where you could see a Fever-Dream matchup (WNBA); Playful aquatic mammal (OTTER).
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.
