USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 26, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues79
Across36
Down43
DaySaturday
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
Scratchy voice (4)
Starts with R, ends with PRASP→
5A
Core muscles (3)
Starts with A, ends with SABS→
11A
Seller of KALLAX shelving units (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIKEA→
12A
"Fullmetal Alchemist," e.g. (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMANGA→
15A
Stellar outburst (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANOVA→
16A
*"Home already?" (10)
Starts with B, ends with NBACKSOSOON→
18A
Foreboding sign (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOMEN→
19A
"___ complicated" (3)
Starts with I, ends with SITS→
20A
Small margin (7)
Starts with W, ends with RWHISKER→
22A
Almost there (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECLOSE→
25A
"if u ask me" (3)
Starts with I, ends with OIMO→
26A
"Mayor of Kingstown" actor Gillen (5)
Starts with A, ends with NAIDAN→
28A
*"That's ridiculous" (15)
Starts with D, ends with HDONTMAKEMELAUGH→
31A
"The Faculty" star DuVall (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACLEA→
32A
Basic principles (6)
Starts with T, ends with STENETS→
33A
Unagi nigiri fish (3)
Starts with E, ends with LEEL→
34A
Utah Jazz org. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANBA→
36A
Possesses (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHAS→
38A
Comedian Samantha (3)
Starts with B, ends with EBEE→
41A
Naval fleet (6)
Starts with A, ends with AARMADA→
45A
Makes a selection (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOPTS→
49A
*Dialect influenced by both British and North American conventions (15)
Starts with C, ends with HCANADIANENGLISH→
52A
Bond portrayer after Brosnan (5)
Starts with C, ends with GCRAIG→
53A
"Uh-uh" (3)
Starts with N, ends with WNAW→
54A
___ road ice cream (5)
Starts with R, ends with YROCKY→
55A
You may hold yours during parts of a scary movie (6)
Starts with B, ends with HBREATH→
57A
Piece of skin art, casually (3)
Starts with T, ends with TTAT→
58A
Dossier (4)
Starts with F, ends with EFILE→
60A
Dine together, and a hint to the synonyms bookending the starred clues' answers (10)
Starts with B, ends with DBREAKBREAD→
65A
Open to all genders (4)
Starts with C, ends with DCOED→
66A
Egypt's capital (5)
Starts with C, ends with OCAIRO→
67A
"Sign me up!" (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIMIN→
68A
What a cow chews (3)
Starts with C, ends with DCUD→
69A
Show hosts, for short (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMCS→
70A
Cougar (4)
Starts with P, ends with APUMA→
Down
2D
Alias introduction (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAKA→
3D
Part of a min. (3)
Starts with S, ends with CSEC→
4D
Country on one side of K2 (8)
Starts with P, ends with NPAKISTAN→
5D
"Good Times" actor John (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAMOS→
6D
Some undergrad degrees (3)
Starts with B, ends with SBAS→
7D
Winter creations that might wear top hats (7)
Starts with S, ends with NSNOWMEN→
8D
Mature, like a bond (7)
Starts with C, ends with ECOMEDUE→
9D
The "A" of GPA (7)
Starts with A, ends with EAVERAGE→
10D
Prohibit (3)
Starts with B, ends with NBAN→
13D
"Get outta here!" (6)
Starts with G, ends with EGOHOME→
14D
Young Darth Vader's nickname (3)
Starts with A, ends with IANI→
15D
Finnish company whose "lipstick" phone lacked a traditional keypad (5)
Starts with N, ends with ANOKIA→
17D
Plant part (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSTEM→
21D
Taco condiment (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASALSA→
22D
Public health org. (3)
Starts with C, ends with CCDC→
23D
"hahaha" (3)
Starts with L, ends with LLOL→
24D
"You're ___ to talk!" (3)
Starts with O, ends with EONE→
25D
"The Studio" actor Barinholtz (3)
Starts with I, ends with EIKE→
27D
Utah Mammoth org. (3)
Starts with N, ends with LNHL→
29D
Pong company (5)
Starts with A, ends with IATARI→
30D
___ Hunt ("Mission: Impossible" protagonist) (5)
Starts with E, ends with NETHAN→
35D
Girl Scout's award (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBADGE→
37D
Adventure that doesn't require group coordination (8)
Starts with S, ends with PSOLOTRIP→
38D
Secretly loop in (3)
Starts with B, ends with CBCC→
39D
Musical ability (3)
Starts with E, ends with REAR→
40D
Made possible (7)
Starts with E, ends with DENABLED→
42D
Meditative utterance (6)
Starts with M, ends with AMANTRA→
43D
Disneyland's city (7)
Starts with A, ends with MANAHEIM→
44D
Moisture on grass (3)
Starts with D, ends with WDEW→
46D
Insta upload (3)
Starts with P, ends with CPIC→
47D
Scolding sound (3)
Starts with T, ends with KTSK→
48D
Not outgoing (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSHY→
50D
Ran on TV (5)
Starts with A, ends with DAIRED→
51D
Seize suddenly (4)
Starts with G, ends with BGRAB→
56D
"Abbott Elementary" network (3)
Starts with A, ends with CABC→
57D
MMA fight enders (4)
Starts with T, ends with STKOS→
58D
TV oversight org. (3)
Starts with F, ends with CFCC→
59D
Promise of payment (3)
Starts with I, ends with UIOU→
61D
Storyline trajectory (3)
Starts with A, ends with CARC→
62D
Large Australian bird (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEMU→
63D
Objective (3)
Starts with A, ends with MAIM→
64D
Double-helix molecule (3)
Starts with D, ends with ADNA→
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 26, 2026?+
79 clues: 36 Across and 43 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Scratchy voice (RASP); Core muscles (ABS); Taxi (CAB).
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.
