USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 18, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues72
Across38
Down34
DayFriday
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
Send by truck, ironically (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSHIP→
5A
"Like that'll ever happen!" (3)
Starts with H, ends with HHAH→
8A
Not straight (5)
Starts with A, ends with WASKEW→
13A
Assistant (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAIDE→
14A
___ gov'nor (punny name for a plant shop) (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALOE→
16A
___ off (deter) (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESTAVE→
17A
Sushi protein made with Sriracha or chili oil (9)
Starts with S, ends with ASPICYTUNA→
19A
Danger (5)
Starts with P, ends with LPERIL→
20A
Gave an address (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPOKE→
21A
Yankees' crosstown rivals (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMETS→
23A
Place to hang art (4)
Starts with W, ends with LWALL→
24A
___ Kippur (3)
Starts with Y, ends with MYOM→
25A
Low-pH (6)
Starts with A, ends with CACIDIC→
27A
"There's a red light ahead!" (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSTOP→
28A
Like tissue paper (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTHIN→
29A
One might be used to test the temperature of bathwater (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETOE→
31A
Species of the insurance spokesbird that's about 10x heavier than the Aflac duck (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEMU→
32A
"Don't leave without me!" (6)
Starts with W, ends with PWAITUP→
34A
Piece of tennis gear (6)
Starts with R, ends with TRACKET→
36A
Singer who said "musicians are the architects of heaven" (13)
Starts with B, ends with NBOBBYMCFERRIN→
38A
Tasty bit (6)
Starts with M, ends with LMORSEL→
39A
Completely out of energy (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSAPPED→
40A
Chicago airport code (3)
Starts with O, ends with DORD→
41A
NBA Hall of Famer Duncan (3)
Starts with T, ends with MTIM→
43A
Crash another streamer's event (4)
Starts with R, ends with DRAID→
44A
Excited tail movements (4)
Starts with W, ends with SWAGS→
46A
Superficial appearance (6)
Starts with F, ends with EFACADE→
48A
Recede (3)
Starts with E, ends with BEBB→
51A
"Next to the plate!" (8)
Starts with B, ends with PBATTERUP→
53A
Polite (5)
Starts with C, ends with LCIVIL→
55A
Shakespearean loverboy (5)
Starts with R, ends with OROMEO→
56A
Winless chess ending (9)
Starts with S, ends with ESTALEMATE→
58A
Regions (5)
Starts with A, ends with SAREAS→
59A
Bring onto the team (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHIRE→
60A
"Now, here's an ___ . . ." (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIDEA→
61A
Costume ball concealers (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMASKS→
62A
Himalayan cryptid (4)
Starts with Y, ends with IYETI→
63A
Where egg mimicry make take place (4)
Starts with N, ends with TNEST→
Down
1D
Full of attitude (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSASSY→
2D
Aquatic African mammal (5)
Starts with H, ends with OHIPPO→
3D
Saying that's hard to translate (5)
Starts with I, ends with MIDIOM→
4D
Quick kiss (4)
Starts with P, ends with KPECK→
5D
Bowler or fedora (3)
Starts with H, ends with THAT→
6D
Lightweight metal (8)
Starts with A, ends with MALUMINUM→
7D
Refined, like a new skill (5)
Starts with H, ends with DHONED→
8D
Egyptian snake (3)
Starts with A, ends with PASP→
9D
Dishes with gravylike consistencies (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEWS→
10D
Role for Ralph Macchio and Jaden Smith (9)
Starts with K, ends with DKARATEKID→
11D
Sign of bad things to come (8)
Starts with E, ends with NEVILOMEN→
12D
"I couldn't have said it better" (7)
Starts with W, ends with TWELLPUT→
15D
Wipe out (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEATIT→
18D
"Like that'll happen!" (8)
Starts with Y, ends with TYEAHIBET→
22D
Sheet with board game results (8)
Starts with S, ends with DSCOREPAD→
26D
"The hustle and bustle" (8)
Starts with C, ends with ECITYLIFE→
28D
Bills that have to be closed (4)
Starts with T, ends with STABS→
30D
Spy's communication gadget (8)
Starts with E, ends with EEARPIECE→
32D
Scattergories and Scrabble, for two (9)
Starts with W, ends with SWORDGAMES→
33D
Computer lab array (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPCS→
36D
Island surrounded by a lagoon (8)
Starts with B, ends with ABORABORA→
37D
With lots of distance between (8)
Starts with F, ends with TFARAPART→
38D
Take care of the lawn (3)
Starts with M, ends with WMOW→
42D
Like a bog (6)
Starts with M, ends with YMARSHY→
45D
Filet mignon, e.g. (5)
Starts with S, ends with KSTEAK→
47D
Rhyming partner of "patootie" (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECUTIE→
48D
Slip past (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEVADE→
49D
Bagel ___ (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBITES→
50D
Make goat noises (5)
Starts with B, ends with TBLEAT→
52D
Casually throw (4)
Starts with T, ends with STOSS→
54D
"Let's do it!" (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIMIN→
55D
Sheep with big horns (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRAM→
57D
Floral Polynesian gift (3)
Starts with L, ends with ILEI→
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 18, 2026?+
72 clues: 38 Across and 34 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Send by truck, ironically (SHIP); "Like that'll ever happen!" (HAH); Not straight (ASKEW).
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.
