USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 17, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues79
Across39
Down40
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
Group that won Eurovision in 1974 with "Waterloo" (4)
Starts with A, ends with AABBA→
5A
Top of a wave (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCREST→
10A
Where MA and PA are (3)
Starts with U, ends with AUSA→
13A
Caddie's selection (4)
Starts with C, ends with BCLUB→
14A
Greeted someone (6)
Starts with S, ends with ISAIDHI→
15A
Snooze (3)
Starts with N, ends with PNAP→
16A
Cornmeal cakes . . . and a punny name for the starred clues' answers (11)
Starts with H, ends with SHUSHPUPPIES→
18A
Not post (3)
Starts with P, ends with EPRE→
19A
Pooh's sad friend (6)
Starts with E, ends with EEEYORE→
20A
When you'll show up, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
21A
Hospital scans (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMRIS→
22A
Like Mars, but not Uranus (5)
Starts with R, ends with NROMAN→
24A
Old-timey "you" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETHEE→
26A
*Furry friend known for its wrinkles (7)
Starts with S, ends with ISHARPEI→
29A
*Fluffy toy? (7)
Starts with S, ends with USHIHTZU→
32A
Female horses (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMARES→
33A
Flutes' neighbors in an orchestra (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOBOES→
35A
Sn, on the periodic table (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTIN→
36A
Matched a face to a name, say (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIDED→
37A
Skidded (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSLID→
38A
Craeless mistake? (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTYPO→
39A
Install, like tile (3)
Starts with L, ends with YLAY→
40A
*Breed similar to the Akita (8)
Starts with S, ends with USHIBAINU→
43A
The mind's "I" (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEGO→
44A
Rejections (3)
Starts with N, ends with SNOS→
45A
Place for a soak (6)
Starts with H, ends with BHOTTUB→
49A
Childbirth support provider (5)
Starts with D, ends with ADOULA→
51A
"All By Myself" singer Celine (4)
Starts with D, ends with NDION→
53A
Clean air org. (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEPA→
54A
60A
Church walkway (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAISLE→
61A
Texter's "However . . ." (4)
Starts with O, ends with HOTOH→
62A
"Stay in your ___!" (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELANE→
63A
Comedian Wanda (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSYKES→
64A
Pump or platform (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESHOE→
65A
Common merch table purchases (4)
Starts with T, ends with STEES→
67A
Central Perk and Monica's apartment, for "Friends" (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSETS→
Down
1D
Feel sore (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACHE→
2D
Primary color (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBLUE→
3D
Bustling (4)
Starts with B, ends with YBUSY→
4D
Just hated (8)
Starts with A, ends with DABHORRED→
5D
Maximum (3)
Starts with C, ends with PCAP→
6D
Mature, like fruit (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRIPEN→
7D
Modify (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEDIT→
8D
Put in a sword holder (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESHEATHE→
9D
"Where ignorance is bliss, ___ folly to be wise" (3)
Starts with T, ends with STIS→
10D
TLC song with the lyric "You can buy all the makeup that MAC can make" (8)
Starts with U, ends with YUNPRETTY→
11D
Draped garment (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISARI→
12D
Bonobos, e.g. (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPES→
14D
"I was wrong! Get over it!" (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESUEME→
21D
"Not impressed" (3)
Starts with M, ends with HMEH→
23D
Garlicky sauces (6)
Starts with A, ends with SAIOLIS→
25D
He/him/___ (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHIS→
26D
Beamed (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSMILED→
28D
"Is it my turn yet?" (10)
Starts with A, ends with EAREYOUDONE→
29D
Fountain drink (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASODA→
30D
Move really fast (3)
Starts with Z, ends with PZIP→
31D
Call in a card game (3)
Starts with U, ends with OUNO→
34D
Race day accessory (3)
Starts with B, ends with BBIB→
37D
"Dexter: Resurrection" network (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSHO→
38D
"Tsk" relative (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTUT→
41D
"Knock on wood!" (7)
Starts with I, ends with OIHOPESO→
46D
Start showing canines? (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETEETHE→
47D
Pull from the ground (6)
Starts with U, ends with TUPROOT→
48D
Big parties (6)
Starts with B, ends with SBASHES→
50D
Bounds along (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLOPES→
51D
Computer storage devices (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDISKS→
52D
Bit of land in the sea (5)
Starts with I, ends with TISLET→
55D
Clean with soap (4)
Starts with W, ends with HWASH→
56D
"Well, hey there!" (4)
Starts with H, ends with AHIYA→
57D
"I'm Coming Out" singer Diana (4)
Starts with R, ends with SROSS→
58D
Key next to the space bar (3)
Starts with A, ends with TALT→
59D
___ kwon do (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETAE→
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 17, 2026?+
79 clues: 39 Across and 40 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Group that won Eurovision in 1974 with "Waterloo" (ABBA); Top of a wave (CREST); Where MA and PA are (USA).
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.
