USA Today Crossword hints and answers for July 2, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
DayThursday
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
"___ officially on a budget!" (3)
Starts with I, ends with MIAM→
4A
Barbecue side dish (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSLAW→
8A
Sinister forces (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEVILS→
13A
Place to buy flip-flops (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESHOESTORE→
16A
"Here's what you missed last week" show part (5)
Starts with R, ends with PRECAP→
17A
Barbecue food often topped with cheese (9)
Starts with H, ends with RHAMBURGER→
18A
Banded rock with a "blue lace" variety (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAGATE→
19A
Fitness coach (7)
Starts with T, ends with RTRAINER→
21A
Smile after seeing how much you've saved (4)
Starts with G, ends with NGRIN→
22A
Feeling inspired by a fireworks show (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAWE→
25A
Ice cream quantity (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPINT→
26A
Situate (6)
Starts with O, ends with TORIENT→
28A
A vet is one (3)
Starts with D, ends with CDOC→
29A
Some ER staff members (3)
Starts with R, ends with SRNS→
30A
Get out of town (4)
Starts with F, ends with EFLEE→
31A
Giraffe relatives (6)
Starts with O, ends with SOKAPIS→
33A
Buns, pitas, etc. (6)
Starts with B, ends with SBREADS→
35A
Greek fertility god (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEROS→
36A
___ Paulo, Brazil (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSAO→
37A
Library transaction (4)
Starts with L, ends with NLOAN→
39A
"That ___ make sense" (6)
Starts with D, ends with TDOESNT→
41A
Excited exclamation after realizing you just got a great deal (6)
Starts with O, ends with SOMGYES→
43A
"hahahaha" (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLMAO→
44A
Qua Baths & ___ (Caesars Palace amenity) (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASPA→
45A
Garden tool (3)
Starts with H, ends with EHOE→
46A
Jalapeno, e.g. (6)
Starts with P, ends with RPEPPER→
49A
"6 in the Mornin'" rapper (4)
Starts with I, ends with TICET→
50A
"Monsters, ___" (3)
Starts with I, ends with CINC→
52A
"Our treat!" (7)
Starts with I, ends with SITSONUS→
55A
Unmoving (5)
Starts with I, ends with TINERT→
57A
Frozen, fruit-flavored treats (9)
Starts with O, ends with SOTTERPOPS→
61A
Cheerful tunes (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLILTS→
62A
"This whole look is doing a lot for me" (9)
Starts with Y, ends with EYOURECUTE→
63A
"Byeee" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASEEYA→
64A
Nautical call for help (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSOS→
Down
1D
"eh, kinda" (3)
Starts with I, ends with HISH→
2D
"Now I get it!" (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAHA→
3D
Two-___ family (3)
Starts with M, ends with MMOM→
4D
Uses a colander (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSTRAINS→
5D
Authenticating credentials (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLOGINS→
6D
"___ we all?" (5)
Starts with A, ends with TARENT→
7D
Used to be (4)
Starts with W, ends with EWERE→
8D
Notable time period (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
9D
Plant-based barbecue offering you might relish? (9)
Starts with V, ends with GVEGGIEDOG→
10D
"Tell me what's on your mind" (5)
Starts with I, ends with EICARE→
11D
"Carpe diem" language (5)
Starts with L, ends with NLATIN→
12D
Completely tired (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSPENT→
14D
Grocery payment option (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEBT→
15D
"Dealer's choice!" (10)
Starts with S, ends with ESURPRISEME→
20D
Mary Todd Lincoln, for Cole Escola (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROLE→
22D
Big fuss (3)
Starts with A, ends with OADO→
23D
Had an eye-opening experience? (4)
Starts with W, ends with EWOKE→
24D
Digital greeting (5)
Starts with E, ends with DECARD→
27D
"Oh, grow up" (10)
Starts with R, ends with EREALMATURE→
30D
To's opposite (3)
Starts with F, ends with OFRO→
32D
Event with inflatable drink holders (9)
Starts with P, ends with YPOOLPARTY→
33D
Cricket item (3)
Starts with B, ends with TBAT→
34D
"Go introduce yourself!" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ISAYHI→
36D
___-Caps (candy) (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSNO→
38D
Bright, like glow sticks (4)
Starts with N, ends with NNEON→
40D
Wedding garment (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISARI→
41D
First part of a show (6)
Starts with O, ends with ROPENER→
42D
"Gimme a ___!" (3)
Starts with S, ends with CSEC→
44D
Ketanji Brown Jackson's grp. (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSCOTUS→
46D
Some sandcastle tools (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPAILS→
47D
Bert's buddy (5)
Starts with E, ends with EERNIE→
48D
"Him" producer Jordan (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPEELE→
49D
"Not so!" response (5)
Starts with I, ends with OISTOO→
53D
Foam footballs and dive rings, e.g. (4)
Starts with T, ends with STOYS→
54D
Pet rescue org. (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASPCA→
56D
Airport screening org. (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATSA→
58D
On the town (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOUT→
59D
Vacation days, e.g. (3)
Starts with P, ends with OPTO→
60D
Celebratory mo. for some Virgos (3)
Starts with S, ends with PSEP→
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 2, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: "___ officially on a budget!" (IAM); Barbecue side dish (SLAW); Sinister forces (EVILS).
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.
