USA Today Crossword hints and answers for July 17, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across41
Down37
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
L.A.'s region (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSOCAL→
6A
Uno, dos, ___ (4)
Starts with T, ends with STRES→
10A
Barbie Pop Star Doll accessory (3)
Starts with M, ends with CMIC→
13A
Woodworker's securing tools (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCLAMPS→
15A
Georgetown athlete (4)
Starts with H, ends with AHOYA→
16A
"Well, well, well!" (3)
Starts with O, ends with OOHO→
17A
Actor who played Jeevan Chaudhary in "Station Eleven" (11)
Starts with H, ends with LHIMESHPATEL→
19A
Native American Heritage mo. (3)
Starts with N, ends with VNOV→
20A
Pizzeria fixture (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOVEN→
21A
"Field of Dreams" setting (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIOWA→
22A
Triangle or trapezoid (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESHAPE→
24A
"The Star-Spangled Banner" contraction (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROER→
25A
Irritating part of shirts, for some (3)
Starts with T, ends with GTAG→
26A
Movie theater preview (7)
Starts with T, ends with RTRAILER→
28A
Exams for aspiring JDs (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLSATS→
30A
Award that sounds like the initials of "Off-Broadway" (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOBIE→
32A
___ straw (landscaping product) (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPINE→
33A
Roadside assistance org. (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAAA→
35A
Challah unit (4)
Starts with L, ends with FLOAF→
38A
Fold on an expanding folder (14)
Starts with A, ends with TACCORDIONPLEAT→
43A
Lookie-___ (nosy person) (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLOO→
44A
Garment often "eaten" by the dryer (4)
Starts with S, ends with KSOCK→
45A
Down in the dumps (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSAD→
46A
Bridge fee (4)
Starts with T, ends with LTOLL→
48A
They create quite a buzz (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBEES→
50A
"Indeed" (5)
Starts with M, ends with MMMHMM→
54A
Claims (7)
Starts with A, ends with SALLEGES→
56A
It's a wonder! (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAWE→
58A
Debt slip (3)
Starts with I, ends with UIOU→
59A
Spiced yogurt dish (5)
Starts with R, ends with ARAITA→
60A
Not for here (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTOGO→
62A
Linnaeus who developed scientific nomenclature (4)
Starts with C, ends with LCARL→
64A
"She loves me, she loves me not" item (11)
Starts with F, ends with LFLOWERPETAL→
67A
Single (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
68A
Awesome, in slang (4)
Starts with F, ends with EFIRE→
69A
Part of a space station (6)
Starts with M, ends with EMODULE→
70A
Paystub abbreviation (3)
Starts with Y, ends with DYTD→
71A
Trees mentioned in the "Iliad" (4)
Starts with E, ends with SELMS→
72A
Button that might be pressed with an unbent paperclip (5)
Starts with R, ends with TRESET→
Down
1D
Class-y place? (6)
Starts with S, ends with LSCHOOL→
2D
One of the seven species in the Torah (6)
Starts with O, ends with SOLIVES→
3D
Shutterbug's gadget (6)
Starts with C, ends with ACAMERA→
4D
"Hard agree" (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAMEN→
5D
Audiophile's stack (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLPS→
6D
Bring to room temperature (4)
Starts with T, ends with WTHAW→
7D
Trial period in the first year of some Ph.D. programs (8)
Starts with R, ends with NROTATION→
8D
Optic organ (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEYE→
9D
Taco topper (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASALSA→
10D
Iconic da Vinci painting (8)
Starts with M, ends with AMONALISA→
11D
"That would be horrible" (8)
Starts with I, ends with TIHOPENOT→
12D
Paid for (7)
Starts with C, ends with DCOVERED→
14D
Branch of Islam (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASHIA→
18D
___ stick (4)
Starts with P, ends with OPOGO→
23D
Trendy (3)
Starts with H, ends with PHIP→
25D
Former Russian rulers (5)
Starts with T, ends with STSARS→
27D
Harvests (5)
Starts with R, ends with SREAPS→
29D
"___ Te Ching" (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTAO→
34D
Pueblo brick (5)
Starts with A, ends with EADOBE→
36D
Calgary NHL player (5)
Starts with F, ends with EFLAME→
38D
Priest's assistant (8)
Starts with A, ends with YALTARBOY→
39D
Adult who might take kids to their first concert (8)
Starts with C, ends with TCOOLAUNT→
40D
Clashed or crashed (8)
Starts with C, ends with DCOLLIDED→
41D
Weather event with freezing rain (8)
Starts with I, ends with MICESTORM→
42D
Rave genre (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with E, ends with MEDM→
47D
Permit (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLET→
49D
Smudged herb (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESAGE→
51D
Short pause (6)
Starts with H, ends with SHIATUS→
52D
Team spirit (6)
Starts with M, ends with EMORALE→
53D
Hairstyle popularized by the Beastie Boys (6)
Starts with M, ends with TMULLET→
55D
Social faux pas (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGAFFE→
57D
Invertebrate in a compost bin (4)
Starts with W, ends with MWORM→
61D
Has to repay (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOWES→
62D
Hand over (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECEDE→
65D
Short, for short (3)
Starts with L, ends with LLIL→
66D
___ favor (3)
Starts with P, ends with RPOR→
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 July 17, 2026?+
78 clues: 41 Across and 37 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: L.A.'s region (SOCAL); Uno, dos, ___ (TRES); Barbie Pop Star Doll accessory (MIC).
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.
