USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 16, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues72
Across33
Down39
DayWednesday
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
Moving day vehicle (3)
Starts with V, ends with NVAN→
4A
UFC sport (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMMA→
7A
"Thor" actor Hemsworth (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCHRIS→
12A
"Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" Mary J. ___ (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBLIGE→
14A
"That's my theory" (9)
Starts with I, ends with OIASSUMESO→
16A
Spa garments (5)
Starts with R, ends with SROBES→
17A
USPS delivery, colloquially (9)
Starts with S, ends with LSNAILMAIL→
18A
Cain's brother (4)
Starts with A, ends with LABEL→
19A
Core belief (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTENET→
20A
Compensated vacation (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with P, ends with OPTO→
21A
Person's rank among others around them (12)
Starts with S, ends with SSOCIALSTATUS→
25A
Gumbo vegetable (4)
Starts with O, ends with AOKRA→
26A
Builds (6)
Starts with E, ends with SERECTS→
30A
Heroes' companions (9)
Starts with S, ends with SSIDEKICKS→
35A
Industry for Alibaba and Amazon (5)
Starts with E, ends with LETAIL→
36A
___ and proper (4)
Starts with P, ends with MPRIM→
37A
Lions' sounds (5)
Starts with R, ends with SROARS→
39A
Oak or elm (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETREE→
40A
"Shush!" (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCANIT→
42A
Really bringing it (9)
Starts with G, ends with DGOINGHARD→
44A
Protractors measure them (6)
Starts with A, ends with SANGLES→
46A
"Couldn't agree more!" (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAMEN→
47A
"I'd like to be updated" (12)
Starts with K, ends with DKEEPMEPOSTED→
53A
Knee stabilizer, for short (3)
Starts with A, ends with LACL→
56A
Spiral shape in DNA (5)
Starts with H, ends with XHELIX→
57A
Formally give (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECEDE→
58A
Post-abacus but pre-calculator device (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESLIDERULE→
60A
Tower-building game (5)
Starts with J, ends with AJENGA→
61A
Person who plays a big part in Hollywood? (9)
Starts with M, ends with RMOVIESTAR→
62A
Word before "peace" or "child" (5)
Starts with I, ends with RINNER→
63A
Some seeded loaves (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRYES→
64A
Ottawa's province, for short (3)
Starts with O, ends with TONT→
65A
Honey wine (4)
Starts with M, ends with DMEAD→
Down
1D
Using AI to program (10)
Starts with V, ends with GVIBECODING→
2D
Not stand the test of time (11)
Starts with A, ends with KAGELIKEMILK→
3D
Duck Hunt console (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNES→
4D
Moistens, like produce (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMISTS→
5D
"Le Dejeuner sur l'herbe" painter (5)
Starts with M, ends with TMANET→
6D
Yoga position (5)
Starts with A, ends with AASANA→
7D
What people learn about through world travel (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECULTURE→
8D
"Let me think" (3)
Starts with H, ends with MHMM→
9D
"You ___ what you sow" (4)
Starts with R, ends with PREAP→
10D
"That so?" (4)
Starts with I, ends with TISIT→
11D
Musician's time to shine (4)
Starts with S, ends with OSOLO→
12D
Garments that might be shed upon returning home (4)
Starts with B, ends with SBRAS→
13D
University of New Mexico athlete (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLOBO→
15D
Spanish for "seven" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESIETE→
22D
Noah's ___ (3)
Starts with A, ends with KARK→
23D
Villain's hideout (4)
Starts with L, ends with RLAIR→
24D
Give some background information before telling a story (11)
Starts with S, ends with ESETTHESCENE→
27D
Mini signal source? (10)
Starts with C, ends with ACARANTENNA→
28D
Section of some wedding cakes (4)
Starts with T, ends with RTIER→
29D
Winter glider (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSLED→
30D
Org. whose website has a "Spay & Neuter" tab (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASPCA→
31D
Tehran's country (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIRAN→
32D
Tooth you can't eat with (3)
Starts with C, ends with GCOG→
33D
"Interior Chinatown" actor Archie (3)
Starts with K, ends with OKAO→
34D
___ Lanka (3)
Starts with S, ends with ISRI→
38D
Food stamp initials (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSNAP→
41D
Giggle sound (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETEEHEE→
43D
Engineered crop, for short (3)
Starts with G, ends with OGMO→
45D
Oracles (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSEERS→
48D
Former ninth planet (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPLUTO→
49D
Italian fashion hub (5)
Starts with M, ends with NMILAN→
50D
Apply, like pressure (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEXERT→
51D
Double-___ sword (5)
Starts with E, ends with DEDGED→
52D
Cherished (4)
Starts with D, ends with RDEAR→
53D
Genre inducing pleasant tingles (Abbr.) (4)
Starts with A, ends with RASMR→
54D
Be sickeningly sweet (4)
Starts with C, ends with YCLOY→
55D
"Long ___" (Taylor Swift song) (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELIVE→
59D
Insult (3)
Starts with D, ends with SDIS→
60D
"He's dead, ___" ("Star Trek" catchphrase) (3)
Starts with J, ends with MJIM→
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 16, 2026?+
72 clues: 33 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Moving day vehicle (VAN); UFC sport (MMA); "Thor" actor Hemsworth (CHRIS).
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.
