USA Today Crossword hints and answers for August 31, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across35
Down43
DayMonday
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
Mario Kart character with a mushroomlike head (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTOAD→
5A
___ Evolution (powerful Pokemon form) (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMEGA→
9A
Scorches (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSEARS→
14A
Just chillin' (4)
Starts with I, ends with EIDLE→
15A
Leap for Alysa Liu (4)
Starts with A, ends with LAXEL→
16A
Measurement of gold purity (5)
Starts with K, ends with TKARAT→
17A
Easy to understand (15)
Starts with S, ends with YSELFEXPLANATORY→
20A
Payment to the IRS (3)
Starts with T, ends with XTAX→
21A
Other, in Spanish (4)
Starts with O, ends with AOTRA→
22A
"Gotcha" (4)
Starts with I, ends with EISEE→
23A
"Let me fix myself up before guests arrive" (7)
Starts with I, ends with SIMAMESS→
26A
Good ones are considered polite (7)
Starts with M, ends with SMANNERS→
28A
Very serious (6)
Starts with S, ends with NSOLEMN→
29A
___ Coladice (board game) (4)
Starts with P, ends with APINA→
30A
"Fine by me!" (3)
Starts with A, ends with KAOK→
31A
Like Druidry and Wicca (5)
Starts with P, ends with NPAGAN→
33A
Video segments (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCLIPS→
38A
Particle physics concept (12)
Starts with S, ends with YSTRINGTHEORY→
40A
Prefix for "present" and "vore" (4)
Starts with O, ends with IOMNI→
43A
She liked a bad apple (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEVE→
44A
Like a bad apple (6)
Starts with R, ends with NROTTEN→
45A
Weaving devices (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLOOMS→
47A
Fashion designer Saab (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELIE→
49A
Alcohol made from rice (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESAKE→
50A
Silent ___ (parties with headphone-wearing dancers) (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDISCOS→
52A
___ car smell (3)
Starts with N, ends with WNEW→
54A
Forest or coral reef (7)
Starts with H, ends with THABITAT→
57A
Hajj religion (5)
Starts with I, ends with MISLAM→
62A
Where you might keep snowboards and winter coats in July (15)
Starts with S, ends with YSTORAGEFACILITY→
65A
Vulgar (4)
Starts with L, ends with DLEWD→
66A
DEA investigator (5)
Starts with N, ends with ONARCO→
68A
Mama in the Mamas & the Papas (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCASS→
69A
Machines in casinos (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSLOTS→
70A
Aesthetic with black clothing (4)
Starts with G, ends with HGOTH→
Down
1D
"Quite so" (3)
Starts with T, ends with STIS→
2D
Poem of celebration (3)
Starts with O, ends with EODE→
3D
Lacking follow-through (7)
Starts with A, ends with KALLTALK→
4D
Slander (6)
Starts with D, ends with EDEFAME→
5D
At most (3)
Starts with M, ends with XMAX→
6D
Convention center gatherings (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEXPOS→
7D
Hanukkah coins (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGELT→
8D
Causing worry (8)
Starts with A, ends with GALARMING→
9D
Precursor to reggae (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASKA→
10D
Make dinner at home (5)
Starts with E, ends with NEATIN→
11D
Came to light (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAROSE→
12D
Less common (5)
Starts with R, ends with RRARER→
13D
They're real eye sores (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTYES→
18D
Off the hook (6)
Starts with E, ends with TEXEMPT→
19D
Bread often served with saag paneer (4)
Starts with N, ends with NNAAN→
23D
"The Pitt" actress Briones (3)
Starts with I, ends with AISA→
24D
"Greetings, fellow cow" (3)
Starts with M, ends with OMOO→
25D
Drum set essential (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESNARE→
27D
Cheese-topped chip (5)
Starts with N, ends with ONACHO→
29D
Comic Con event (5)
Starts with P, ends with LPANEL→
32D
"___ it your best shot!" (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGIVE→
34D
"I say we go for it!" (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLETS→
36D
Class that might have circle time (4)
Starts with P, ends with KPREK→
37D
"Auld Lang ___" (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESYNE→
38D
Smartphone inserts (8)
Starts with S, ends with SSIMCARDS→
39D
It may grow up and branch out? (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETREE→
40D
Antiquated (3)
Starts with O, ends with DOLD→
41D
"You're accusing me?!" (3)
Starts with M, ends with IMOI→
42D
Absentees (7)
Starts with N, ends with SNOSHOWS→
46D
Japanese noodle often served cold (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASOBA→
53D
Successor to the GameCube (3)
Starts with W, ends with IWII→
55D
Color in peacock feathers (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTEAL→
56D
Hairstyle for Angela Davis (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAFRO→
59D
Luxurious prom rental (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLIMO→
60D
Butting heads (4)
Starts with A, ends with TATIT→
61D
"We only use 10% of our brains," e.g. (4)
Starts with M, ends with HMYTH→
62D
Utah's capital (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with S, ends with CSLC→
63D
Coffee alternative that's actually more likely to stain teeth (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
64D
Trig ratio (3)
Starts with C, ends with SCOS→
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 31, 2026?+
78 clues: 35 Across and 43 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Mario Kart character with a mushroomlike head (TOAD); ___ Evolution (powerful Pokemon form) (MEGA); Scorches (SEARS).
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.
