USA Today Crossword hints and answers for August 14, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues74
Across35
Down39
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
"One ___ this time" ("Cha Cha Slide" instruction) (3)
Starts with H, ends with PHOP→
4A
Really fun time (5)
Starts with B, ends with TBLAST→
9A
Technology similar to echolocation (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSONAR→
14A
Say "I'm grood" instead of "I'm great" or "I'm good," say (3)
Starts with E, ends with RERR→
15A
Taylor Swift album with "Paper Rings" (5)
Starts with L, ends with RLOVER→
16A
Savory flavor (5)
Starts with U, ends with IUMAMI→
17A
"Without further ___ . . ." (3)
Starts with A, ends with OADO→
18A
"I ___ you" ("You're my favorite") (5)
Starts with A, ends with EADORE→
19A
Very fast (5)
Starts with R, ends with DRAPID→
20A
Crunched some data (13)
Starts with R, ends with SRANTHENUMBERS→
23A
Mambo legend Puente (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTITO→
24A
"Hi, it's me, your cat" (4)
Starts with M, ends with WMEOW→
25A
Tic-tac-___ (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETOE→
28A
Poked around (7)
Starts with S, ends with DSNOOPED→
32A
"Big yikes" (6)
Starts with O, ends with ROHDEAR→
34A
Like an extravagant ball (6)
Starts with L, ends with HLAVISH→
37A
Round dwellings (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYURTS→
38A
Auto accessory for AM/FM pickup (10)
Starts with C, ends with ACARANTENNA→
40A
Marriott competitor (5)
Starts with H, ends with THYATT→
44A
Pirate's besties (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMATEYS→
46A
Quench (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESATIATE→
49A
"Case of the Ex" singer who performed at Lilith Fair in 1999 (3)
Starts with M, ends with AMYA→
50A
Reptar or Yoshi, for short (4)
Starts with D, ends with ODINO→
53A
Smartphone forerunners (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPDAS→
54A
Insects that build nests inside wood (13)
Starts with C, ends with SCARPENTERANTS→
59A
Summer camp treat (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESMORE→
61A
"All kidding ___ . . ." (5)
Starts with A, ends with EASIDE→
62A
"r u picking me up soon" (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
63A
High points (5)
Starts with A, ends with SACMES→
64A
Party all night long, perhaps (5)
Starts with R, ends with LREVEL→
65A
26-Down alternative, at a coffee shop (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSOY→
66A
Band instruments that don't fit in backpacks (5)
Starts with T, ends with STUBAS→
67A
Like a cold expression (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSTONY→
68A
"Help us!," to ABBA (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSOS→
Down
1D
"Less than 3" symbols (6)
Starts with H, ends with SHEARTS→
2D
Make official (6)
Starts with O, ends with NORDAIN→
3D
"ASAP!" (6)
Starts with P, ends with OPRONTO→
4D
Unexciting (4)
Starts with B, ends with HBLAH→
5D
Mine deposit (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELODE→
6D
Cosmetics brand once sold door-to-door (4)
Starts with A, ends with NAVON→
7D
Part of a skin care routine (5)
Starts with S, ends with MSERUM→
8D
HBO series set in New Orleans (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETREME→
9D
"Fine, I'm in" (10)
Starts with S, ends with TSUREWHYNOT→
10D
Congresswoman Ilhan (4)
Starts with O, ends with ROMAR→
11D
Music-sharing service for millennials, once (7)
Starts with N, ends with RNAPSTER→
12D
"___ hearing you right?" (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAMI→
13D
Get ___ of (toss) (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRID→
21D
"Sorry, you missed out" (7)
Starts with T, ends with ETOOLATE→
22D
Halloween greeting (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBOO→
26D
Granola grain (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOAT→
27D
Where some nurses work (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with E, ends with SERS→
29D
Evening shift, perhaps? (10)
Starts with P, ends with SPARTYDRESS→
30D
"Casino Royale" star Green (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEVA→
31D
Rackets (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDINS→
33D
Punny La Pirata Brewing offering (7)
Starts with D, ends with ADUALIPA→
35D
Pig's home (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
36D
Skirt borders (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHEMS→
38D
Underground burial site (8)
Starts with C, ends with BCATACOMB→
39D
Chicago Bulls org. (3)
Starts with N, ends with ANBA→
40D
"That's a real thinker" (3)
Starts with H, ends with MHMM→
41D
"Sweet!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with YYAY→
43D
Blue Pixar character (7)
Starts with S, ends with SSADNESS→
47D
"Made your mark on me, a golden ___" (6)
Starts with T, ends with OTATTOO→
48D
Writing assignments (6)
Starts with E, ends with SESSAYS→
51D
Gets closer (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNEARS→
52D
It's a start (5)
Starts with O, ends with TONSET→
56D
Early DVR brand (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTIVO→
57D
"The Middle" star Sher (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEDEN→
58D
___ on (trust in) (4)
Starts with R, ends with YRELY→
59D
Took a chair (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSAT→
60D
Franchise that includes "Ms. Marvel" (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with M, ends with UMCU→
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 August 14, 2026?+
74 clues: 35 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: "One ___ this time" ("Cha Cha Slide" instruction) (HOP); Really fun time (BLAST); Technology similar to echolocation (SONAR).
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.
