USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 22, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across39
Down35
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
Hair on a lid (4)
Starts with L, ends with HLASH→
5A
Flattering poems (4)
Starts with O, ends with SODES→
9A
Roast battle hosts (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMCS→
12A
Not bottled (5)
Starts with O, ends with PONTAP→
14A
Perpetual roamer (5)
Starts with N, ends with DNOMAD→
16A
Tuna often used in tataki (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAHI→
17A
"It's not over 'til it's over" (15)
Starts with Y, ends with TYOUHAVENTWONYET→
20A
Throw in (3)
Starts with A, ends with DADD→
21A
"The ___ is history!" (4)
Starts with R, ends with TREST→
22A
Diving apparatuses (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSCUBAS→
23A
Garland that can be made in "wili" and "kui" styles (3)
Starts with L, ends with ILEI→
24A
Be real (5)
Starts with E, ends with TEXIST→
26A
One of two allowed before a layup (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSTEP→
27A
Utterly defeat (3)
Starts with O, ends with NOWN→
29A
Stats for inbound flights (4)
Starts with E, ends with SETAS→
31A
There are 109.361 in 100 meters, for short (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYDS→
33A
Red fruit in fanqie chao dan (6)
Starts with T, ends with OTOMATO→
36A
Array at a rock concert (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAMPS→
38A
Enjoy a smashburger (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEAT→
39A
Chickpea penne, e.g. (15)
Starts with G, ends with AGLUTENFREEPASTA→
42A
Things checked by bouncers (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIDS→
43A
Sing it with me! (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDUET→
44A
"You're getting closer" (6)
Starts with W, ends with RWARMER→
45A
"In case it's of interest . . ." for short (3)
Starts with F, ends with IFYI→
46A
Does some stitching (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSEWS→
48A
U.S. spy org. (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACIA→
49A
Bounce-back effect (4)
Starts with E, ends with OECHO→
52A
Response to a relatable meme (4)
Starts with I, ends with EITME→
54A
Root crop in amala (3)
Starts with Y, ends with MYAM→
57A
UFO crew (6)
Starts with A, ends with SALIENS→
59A
The ___ (Chi-Town paper) (4)
Starts with T, ends with BTRIB→
60A
"Dude . . ." (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBRO→
61A
Treat a lens like an audience (15)
Starts with P, ends with APLAYTOTHECAMERA→
64A
Calligrapher's tool (3)
Starts with P, ends with NPEN→
65A
President who shared a meal with Anthony Bourdain (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOBAMA→
66A
Overlong sentence (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRUNON→
67A
Sophomores, in two years (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSRS→
68A
Cherry discard (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSTEM→
69A
Cuts grass (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMOWS→
Down
1D
Ride-or-die (5)
Starts with L, ends with LLOYAL→
2D
One end of a battery (5)
Starts with A, ends with EANODE→
3D
People hired to play in recording sessions (15)
Starts with S, ends with SSTUDIOMUSICIANS→
4D
"Yeah, you WISH!" (3)
Starts with H, ends with HHAH→
5D
Newborn's garment (6)
Starts with O, ends with EONESIE→
6D
"I'm in no mood for your attitude!" (15)
Starts with D, ends with EDONTSTARTWITHME→
7D
CPR expert (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEMT→
8D
Tools in lumberyards (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSAWS→
9D
"I haven't made up my mind" (15)
Starts with M, ends with OMAYBEYESMAYBENO→
10D
Romantic outing that doesn't cost a fortune (9)
Starts with C, ends with ECHEAPDATE→
11D
Is on the bottom? (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSITS→
13D
Raised children (8)
Starts with P, ends with DPARENTED→
15D
Rx prescribers (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDOCS→
18D
Really annoy (3)
Starts with V, ends with XVEX→
19D
Pecan or pistachio (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNUT→
25D
Domesticated (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETAME→
28D
Angkor ___ (Cambodian temple) (3)
Starts with W, ends with TWAT→
30D
Gush forth (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSPEW→
32D
One of five on the Chinese flag (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSTAR→
33D
"At last! The weekend!" (4)
Starts with T, ends with FTGIF→
34D
Dog in a 1957 Disney film (9)
Starts with O, ends with ROLDYELLER→
35D
Demanding burden (4)
Starts with O, ends with SONUS→
37D
It's used to separate words (8)
Starts with S, ends with RSPACEBAR→
40D
Service charge (3)
Starts with F, ends with EFEE→
41D
R&B singer Lennox (3)
Starts with A, ends with IARI→
47D
Small mountain flower? (6)
Starts with S, ends with MSTREAM→
50D
"What's up?" (3)
Starts with H, ends with YHEY→
51D
Not fooled by (4)
Starts with O, ends with OONTO→
53D
___ drop (dramatic exit) (3)
Starts with M, ends with CMIC→
55D
One in a keyboard quartet? (5)
Starts with A, ends with WARROW→
56D
Rhyme and synonym for "groans" (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMOANS→
57D
Programs such as Boycat and Buycott (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPPS→
58D
Has a bawl (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSOBS→
62D
Bit of body art created by Whang-od, for short (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTAT→
63D
Tight-lipped (3)
Starts with M, ends with MMUM→
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 22, 2026?+
74 clues: 39 Across and 35 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Hair on a lid (LASH); Flattering poems (ODES); Roast battle hosts (MCS).
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.
