USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 15, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across36
Down38
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
Title for Idris Elba (3)
Starts with S, ends with RSIR→
4A
Young male horses (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCOLTS→
9A
A modern one typically has 47 strings and 7 pedals (4)
Starts with H, ends with PHARP→
13A
Clock front (4)
Starts with F, ends with EFACE→
14A
Mariners' workplace? (5)
Starts with O, ends with NOCEAN→
15A
Member of a reed quintet (4)
Starts with O, ends with EOBOE→
16A
"Seriously, though!" (15)
Starts with I, ends with EIMEANITTHISTIME→
19A
Blush, perhaps (6)
Starts with R, ends with NREDDEN→
21A
"___ is more" (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLESS→
22A
Pricey (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSTEEP→
23A
Pre-1917 Russian rulers (5)
Starts with T, ends with STSARS→
25A
___ chi (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITAI→
26A
Slam dance (4)
Starts with M, ends with HMOSH→
29A
Perform like Isa Briones (3)
Starts with A, ends with TACT→
30A
"Ted Lasso" character Kent (3)
Starts with R, ends with YROY→
31A
Squeaky bone or catnip mouse (or the box either came in) (6)
Starts with P, ends with YPETTOY→
33A
It's a lot to process! (7)
Starts with D, ends with TDATASET→
36A
"It's likely . . ." (7)
Starts with O, ends with EODDSARE→
37A
Pings, sometimes (6)
Starts with A, ends with SALERTS→
38A
Victorian, e.g. (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
39A
Nutritional stat (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARDA→
40A
"Como ___ usted?" (4)
Starts with E, ends with AESTA→
41A
Off-week, in football (3)
Starts with B, ends with EBYE→
42A
Flower that's an anagram of "stare" (5)
Starts with A, ends with RASTER→
44A
Shopping ___ (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPREE→
46A
Initial poker bet (4)
Starts with A, ends with EANTE→
47A
"Do you understand me?" (8)
Starts with A, ends with RAMICLEAR→
50A
Some drums (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSNARES→
53A
"That's what I'm here for!" (15)
Starts with N, ends with ENONEEDTOTHANKME→
55A
Texter's "I am now done texting" (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTTFN→
56A
Jump at a skate park (5)
Starts with O, ends with EOLLIE→
57A
___ defense (football alignment that uses one more defensive back than a nickel defense) (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDIME→
58A
Flip-flop or sneaker (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESHOE→
59A
Unloads on Craigslist (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSELLS→
60A
Pig's spot (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
Down
1D
"Ditto" (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESAME→
2D
Drinks that might come with frozen coffee cubes (10)
Starts with I, ends with SICEDLATTES→
3D
"___, I married him" (6)
Starts with R, ends with RREADER→
4D
Change (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCOINS→
5D
Ada Lovelace Day mo. (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOCT→
6D
"Hypothetically . . ." (7)
Starts with L, ends with YLETSSAY→
7D
Island whose capital is Papeete (6)
Starts with T, ends with ITAHITI→
8D
Like a sarcastic remark (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESNIDE→
9D
Places to make quick connections? (8)
Starts with H, ends with SHOTSPOTS→
10D
Somewhat (4)
Starts with A, ends with TABIT→
11D
Spanish Steps city (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROME→
12D
Palindromic sound (4)
Starts with P, ends with PPEEP→
13D
Type of evergreen (3)
Starts with F, ends with RFIR→
17D
Noun-forming suffix (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNESS→
18D
Appeared to be (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSEEMED→
23D
"Voila!" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATADA→
24D
Climb, like a wall (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCALE→
25D
Tater ___ (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTOT→
27D
Purchase that helps a beginner get going (10)
Starts with S, ends with TSTARTERKIT→
28D
Swarm of people (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHORDE→
30D
Hi-___ graphics (3)
Starts with R, ends with SRES→
31D
Kissing on the train, e.g. (3)
Starts with P, ends with APDA→
32D
525,600 minutes (usually) (4)
Starts with Y, ends with RYEAR→
34D
A city's collection of galleries, museums, etc. (8)
Starts with A, ends with EARTSCENE→
35D
Important food (6)
Starts with S, ends with ESTAPLE→
36D
Mining material (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
38D
Reaction to a pun, perhaps (7)
Starts with E, ends with LEYEROLL→
41D
Ringo or George (6)
Starts with B, ends with EBEATLE→
42D
"___ K: A Love Story" (Jenny Lee novel that reimagines a classic) (4)
Starts with A, ends with AANNA→
43D
Place to sit during a game, oddly (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTANDS→
45D
Mulligans (5)
Starts with R, ends with SREDOS→
46D
Campfire residue (5)
Starts with A, ends with SASHES→
47D
Farm workers? (4)
Starts with A, ends with SANTS→
48D
Light-loving insect (4)
Starts with M, ends with HMOTH→
49D
The 411 (4)
Starts with I, ends with OINFO→
51D
One of two for Quinta Brunson (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEMMY→
52D
Observe (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESEE→
54D
Acronym used before sharing a fun fact (3)
Starts with T, ends with LTIL→
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 September 15, 2026?+
74 clues: 36 Across and 38 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Title for Idris Elba (SIR); Young male horses (COLTS); A modern one typically has 47 strings and 7 pedals (HARP).
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.
