USA Today Crossword hints and answers for July 4, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across36
Down40
DaySaturday
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
Place to purchase pastrami (4)
Starts with D, ends with IDELI→
5A
The actors in "1776," for instance (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCAST→
9A
Prepared to be photographed (5)
Starts with P, ends with DPOSED→
14A
Apple desktop (4)
Starts with I, ends with CIMAC→
15A
However, in a text (4)
Starts with O, ends with HOTOH→
16A
Opening statement (5)
Starts with I, ends with OINTRO→
17A
Animals that squeak (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMICE→
18A
Ram's gender (4)
Starts with M, ends with EMALE→
19A
Gets close to (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNEARS→
20A
Apt dessert to enjoy on the Fourth of July (13)
Starts with R, ends with EREDVELVETCAKE→
23A
Big spoon at a chili cook-off (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELADLE→
24A
Reigned (5)
Starts with R, ends with DRULED→
25A
Yemeni's neighbor (5)
Starts with O, ends with IOMANI→
27A
"Aaron Burr, ___" ("Hamilton" song) (3)
Starts with S, ends with RSIR→
28A
With 39-Across, apt dessert to enjoy on the Fourth of July (14)
Starts with W, ends with EWHITECHOCOLATE→
35A
Moody music genre (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEMO→
36A
Donated (4)
Starts with G, ends with EGAVE→
38A
Harness for oxen (4)
Starts with Y, ends with EYOKE→
39A
See 28-Across (10)
Starts with C, ends with ECHIPCOOKIE→
42A
"From ___ to shining ___" (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASEA→
44A
Presidential period (4)
Starts with T, ends with MTERM→
45A
Large deer (3)
Starts with E, ends with KELK→
46A
Fuel for a campfire (3)
Starts with L, ends with GLOG→
49A
Combat sport, for short (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMMA→
51A
Dollar bills (4)
Starts with O, ends with SONES→
53A
Apt dessert to enjoy on the Fourth of July (12)
Starts with B, ends with EBLUEBERRYPIE→
57A
Martini garnish (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOLIVE→
58A
Defeat decisively (4)
Starts with R, ends with TROUT→
59A
Curtains' supports (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRODS→
63A
Stingy person (5)
Starts with M, ends with RMISER→
64A
Capital of Norway (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOSLO→
65A
"American ___" (singing show) (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
66A
Samuel Adams brews (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBEERS→
67A
Shed tears (4)
Starts with W, ends with PWEEP→
68A
Provocative (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEDGY→
Down
1D
Not very bright (3)
Starts with D, ends with MDIM→
2D
Leader of Qatar (4)
Starts with E, ends with REMIR→
3D
Delicate fabric (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELACE→
4D
Summer coffee drinks (10)
Starts with I, ends with SICEDLATTES→
5D
Like the timing in stand-up (7)
Starts with C, ends with CCOMEDIC→
6D
In any way (5)
Starts with A, ends with LATALL→
7D
Do a crossword, perhaps (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESOLVE→
8D
"My Country, 'Tis of ___" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETHEE→
9D
Ringlet secured with a clip (7)
Starts with P, ends with LPINCURL→
10D
Lakers legend Shaquille (5)
Starts with O, ends with LONEAL→
12D
Dropped some food on the floor, say (5)
Starts with E, ends with DERRED→
13D
Two, in Spanish (3)
Starts with D, ends with SDOS→
21D
Wind direction indicators (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVANES→
22D
Group of three (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTRIO→
25D
The Buckeye State (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOHIO→
26D
Small, furry weasel relative (4)
Starts with M, ends with KMINK→
27D
Extent of a project (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCOPE→
28D
"___ bother?" (3)
Starts with W, ends with YWHY→
29D
Chuckle syllable (3)
Starts with H, ends with HHEH→
30D
Leave out (4)
Starts with O, ends with TOMIT→
31D
"Four score and seven years ___ . . ." (3)
Starts with A, ends with OAGO→
32D
"It ___ one to know one" (5)
Starts with T, ends with STAKES→
33D
Demonic (4)
Starts with E, ends with LEVIL→
37D
Apt rhyme for "shriek" (3)
Starts with E, ends with KEEK→
39D
Attended (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECAME→
40D
Shirt that shows the stomach (7)
Starts with C, ends with PCROPTOP→
41D
Prefix meaning "all" (4)
Starts with O, ends with IOMNI→
43D
Glowing coals (6)
Starts with E, ends with SEMBERS→
46D
Drop the ___ (say "I love you") (5)
Starts with L, ends with BLBOMB→
47D
Simple skateboard trick (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOLLIE→
48D
Pretense (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGUISE→
50D
Archery projectile (5)
Starts with A, ends with WARROW→
52D
How a song in a major key sounds when you play it in a minor key (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEERIE→
54D
At any point (4)
Starts with E, ends with REVER→
55D
___ Parade (January 1 event) (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROSE→
56D
Season for carols and tree decorating (4)
Starts with Y, ends with EYULE→
60D
Strange (3)
Starts with O, ends with DODD→
61D
Alaskan malamute or Boston terrier (3)
Starts with D, ends with GDOG→
62D
Cunning (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSLY→
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 4, 2026?+
76 clues: 36 Across and 40 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Place to purchase pastrami (DELI); The actors in "1776," for instance (CAST); Prepared to be photographed (POSED).
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.
