USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 3, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across41
Down37
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
"Mini" convenience store (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMART→
5A
Trade practice jabs (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSPAR→
9A
Make small talk (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCHAT→
13A
Shower thought (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIDEA→
14A
Language in Tehzeeb Hafi poems (4)
Starts with U, ends with UURDU→
15A
"___ Carter" (2005 sports film) (5)
Starts with C, ends with HCOACH→
16A
Phone setting that minimizes distractions (9)
Starts with F, ends with EFOCUSMODE→
18A
Like some energy bars (5)
Starts with N, ends with YNUTTY→
19A
Day after Thu. (3)
Starts with F, ends with IFRI→
20A
Male turkey (3)
Starts with T, ends with MTOM→
22A
Old-timey photo tone (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASEPIA→
24A
Encourage (4)
Starts with P, ends with DPROD→
27A
Violent Greek god (4)
Starts with A, ends with SARES→
29A
Email button (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSEND→
30A
It famously has no "I" (4)
Starts with T, ends with MTEAM→
31A
Take five (4)
Starts with R, ends with TREST→
32A
Small lie (3)
Starts with F, ends with BFIB→
34A
"That ___ has sailed" (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSHIP→
36A
Language with fingerspelling (3)
Starts with A, ends with LASL→
37A
Like someone who swears they do? (11)
Starts with F, ends with DFOULMOUTHED→
40A
Three-part race, casually (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITRI→
42A
Tie to a dock (4)
Starts with M, ends with RMOOR→
43A
Coleman Hawkins' instrument (3)
Starts with S, ends with XSAX→
44A
The "L" of "LOTR" (4)
Starts with L, ends with DLORD→
46A
Gets off the fence (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOPTS→
48A
Video game figures with limited dialogue (Abbr.) (4)
Starts with N, ends with SNPCS→
51A
Phone protector (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECASE→
52A
Arizona city named for a landform (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMESA→
53A
Bolillo sandwich (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATORTA→
55A
Data in year-end "wrap-ups" (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTATS→
57A
Zodiac sign with the shortest name (3)
Starts with L, ends with OLEO→
59A
Calligraphy, e.g. (3)
Starts with A, ends with TART→
60A
Video gaming pioneer (5)
Starts with A, ends with IATARI→
61A
Poser who might be kept on their toes? (9)
Starts with F, ends with LFOOTMODEL→
64A
Some bridal accessories (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVEILS→
65A
Greek god of love (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEROS→
66A
Earnest request (4)
Starts with P, ends with APLEA→
67A
Swirl of water (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEDDY→
68A
Declare untrue (4)
Starts with D, ends with YDENY→
69A
Collections of items (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSETS→
Down
1D
Ticks off (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMIFFS→
2D
Finds charming (6)
Starts with A, ends with SADORES→
3D
Part of a cookbook (6)
Starts with R, ends with ERECIPE→
4D
Letter after sigma (3)
Starts with T, ends with UTAU→
5D
Japan's national sport (4)
Starts with S, ends with OSUMO→
6D
Suggestion provided to improv actors (6)
Starts with P, ends with TPROMPT→
7D
Mix in (3)
Starts with A, ends with DADD→
8D
"You'll ___ the day!" (3)
Starts with R, ends with ERUE→
9D
Mountain lion (6)
Starts with C, ends with RCOUGAR→
10D
Begrudgingly scroll through someone's blog, say (8)
Starts with H, ends with DHATEREAD→
11D
"Exit the ___" (Priya Parmar novel) (7)
Starts with A, ends with SACTRESS→
12D
"Love ___ neighbor" (3)
Starts with T, ends with YTHY→
15D
MSNBC alternative (3)
Starts with C, ends with NCNN→
17D
Large sports venue (7)
Starts with S, ends with MSTADIUM→
21D
Lets in (6)
Starts with A, ends with SADMITS→
25D
Some all-inclusive destinations (7)
Starts with R, ends with SRESORTS→
26D
Island east of Kauai (4)
Starts with O, ends with UOAHU→
28D
Gateway Arch city, for short (3)
Starts with S, ends with LSTL→
33D
Blossoms (6)
Starts with B, ends with SBLOOMS→
35D
"The ___ of the Opera" (7)
Starts with P, ends with MPHANTOM→
37D
Emergency treatment (8)
Starts with F, ends with DFIRSTAID→
39D
Convention center event, perhaps (4)
Starts with E, ends with OEXPO→
40D
"Waterfalls" trio (3)
Starts with T, ends with CTLC→
41D
Insulted in a devastating way (7)
Starts with R, ends with DROASTED→
45D
"Miss you ___ / Sincerely, Me" ("Dear Evan Hansen" lyric) (6)
Starts with D, ends with YDEARLY→
47D
Bar with swinging doors (6)
Starts with S, ends with NSALOON→
49D
Cat's ___ (string game) (6)
Starts with C, ends with ECRADLE→
50D
Place for a block party (6)
Starts with S, ends with TSTREET→
54D
Collection of maps (5)
Starts with A, ends with SATLAS→
56D
"___ the season . . ." (3)
Starts with T, ends with STIS→
58D
Online market for crafts (4)
Starts with E, ends with YETSY→
60D
"___ Maria" (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAVE→
61D
Made a meal for (3)
Starts with F, ends with DFED→
62D
Unrefined metal (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
63D
Photo ___ (3)
Starts with O, ends with SOPS→
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 3, 2026?+
78 clues: 41 Across and 37 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: "Mini" convenience store (MART); Trade practice jabs (SPAR); Make small talk (CHAT).
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.
