USA Today Crossword hints and answers for July 28, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
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
Discord admins (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMODS→
5A
"Close to You" actor Elliot (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPAGE→
9A
_eats _er _inute (3)
Starts with B, ends with MBPM→
12A
Fencing sword (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEPEE→
13A
Adored celebrities (5)
Starts with I, ends with SIDOLS→
15A
"Pressure" singer Lennox (3)
Starts with A, ends with IARI→
16A
Bread soaked in an eggy mixture then grilled (11)
Starts with F, ends with TFRENCHTOAST→
18A
White ___ (Chicago team) (3)
Starts with S, ends with XSOX→
19A
Set on fire (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIGNITE→
20A
Matching cups, saucers, pot, etc. (6)
Starts with T, ends with TTEASET→
22A
Caspian and Sargasso, for two (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSEAS→
23A
Horse's hair (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMANE→
26A
___ Alliance (Luke, Leia and others) (5)
Starts with R, ends with LREBEL→
28A
Attempted (5)
Starts with T, ends with DTRIED→
30A
Some deli loaves (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRYES→
32A
Intense anger (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERAGE→
33A
Creative thought (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIDEA→
35A
Performed perfectly (6)
Starts with N, ends with DNAILED→
37A
Extra-thick breakfast item cooked in an iron (13)
Starts with B, ends with EBELGIANWAFFLE→
41A
Champagne + orange juice (6)
Starts with M, ends with AMIMOSA→
42A
Darth Vader's garment (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECAPE→
43A
Recedes (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEBBS→
44A
Unexpected hitch (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSNAG→
46A
Intense anger (5)
Starts with W, ends with HWRATH→
51A
Adds to the payroll (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHIRES→
53A
Object in a shopping cart (4)
Starts with I, ends with MITEM→
55A
Pixar title character who meets aliens (4)
Starts with E, ends with OELIO→
56A
"Inception" actress Cotillard (6)
Starts with M, ends with NMARION→
58A
All four of a square's are right (6)
Starts with A, ends with SANGLES→
60A
Alphabet beginning (3)
Starts with A, ends with CABC→
61A
Thick, creamy dairy product in some parfaits (11)
Starts with G, ends with TGREEKYOGURT→
64A
Multihyphenate Issa (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERAE→
65A
Throw with effort (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHEAVE→
66A
"I triple-dog ___ you!" (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDARE→
67A
Short albums, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with SEPS→
68A
Prophetic sign (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOMEN→
69A
Acorn, for one (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSEED→
Down
1D
Corporate union (6)
Starts with M, ends with RMERGER→
2D
ChatGPT creator (6)
Starts with O, ends with IOPENAI→
3D
"Stuart Fails to Save the Universe" character played by Lauren Lapkus (6)
Starts with D, ends with EDENISE→
4D
Religious offshoot (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSECT→
5D
Peach discard (3)
Starts with P, ends with TPIT→
6D
Hullabaloo (3)
Starts with A, ends with OADO→
7D
Chin beard (6)
Starts with G, ends with EGOATEE→
8D
"What ___ can I say?" (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELSE→
9D
"A League of Their Own" sport (8)
Starts with B, ends with LBASEBALL→
10D
Woman working with a mentor (8)
Starts with P, ends with EPROTEGEE→
11D
Combine (3)
Starts with M, ends with XMIX→
14D
One might be wished upon (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSTAR→
16D
Rock, in rock, paper, scissors (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFIST→
17D
Clothing border (3)
Starts with H, ends with MHEM→
21D
Sans ___ (font option) (5)
Starts with S, ends with FSERIF→
24D
Geometry calculation (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAREA→
25D
Feline meme with a Pop-Tart body (7)
Starts with N, ends with TNYANCAT→
27D
Was ahead (3)
Starts with L, ends with DLED→
29D
Uses a shovel (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDIGS→
31D
Finger-click sound (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSNAP→
34D
"Buenos ___!" (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDIAS→
36D
Not many (4)
Starts with A, ends with WAFEW→
37D
Korean rice dish (8)
Starts with B, ends with PBIBIMBAP→
38D
Adopts enthusiastically (8)
Starts with E, ends with SEMBRACES→
39D
Last one across the finish line (5)
Starts with L, ends with RLOSER→
40D
Pay rate (4)
Starts with W, ends with EWAGE→
41D
Just so-so (3)
Starts with M, ends with HMEH→
45D
Opening time for some stores (6)
Starts with N, ends with MNINEAM→
47D
Jamaican music genre (6)
Starts with R, ends with EREGGAE→
48D
Appeal (6)
Starts with A, ends with EALLURE→
49D
Having multiple levels (6)
Starts with T, ends with DTIERED→
50D
Entertain guests (4)
Starts with H, ends with THOST→
52D
Weary exhalation (4)
Starts with S, ends with HSIGH→
54D
Star Wars Day month (3)
Starts with M, ends with YMAY→
57D
Sandwich cookie with many varieties (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOREO→
59D
Silent assents (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNODS→
60D
"We ___ Family" (Sister Sledge hit) (3)
Starts with A, ends with EARE→
62D
December 31, notably (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEVE→
63D
Ncuti Gatwa's role in "Barbie" (3)
Starts with K, ends with NKEN→
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 28, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Discord admins (MODS); "Close to You" actor Elliot (PAGE); _eats _er _inute (BPM).
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.
