USA Today Crossword hints and answers for August 16, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
DaySunday
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
Little fight (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSPAT→
5A
Apple on a teacher's desk? (4)
Starts with I, ends with CIMAC→
9A
Chills out (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRESTS→
14A
Low-pitched horn (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATUBA→
15A
Threads and WhatsApp parent company (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMETA→
16A
". . . well, I could be mistaken" (5)
Starts with O, ends with TORNOT→
17A
Visa competitor (4)
Starts with A, ends with XAMEX→
18A
Counterparts of cons (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPROS→
19A
Winged origami creation (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECRANE→
20A
One power source for a hybrid vehicle (11)
Starts with B, ends with KBATTERYPACK→
23A
Tacked-on cost (3)
Starts with F, ends with EFEE→
24A
Person to look up to (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
25A
Ridiculous (6)
Starts with A, ends with DABSURD→
27A
Bit of a faux pas (6)
Starts with S, ends with PSLIPUP→
30A
Ear passage (5)
Starts with C, ends with LCANAL→
32A
Siri's platform (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIOS→
33A
"Bridgerton" title (4)
Starts with E, ends with LEARL→
35A
Doritos ___ Cheese (5)
Starts with N, ends with ONACHO→
39A
Handheld lunch stuffed with romaine, croutons and dressing (15)
Starts with C, ends with PCAESARSALADWRAP→
43A
Prepare to pray (5)
Starts with K, ends with LKNEEL→
44A
Miles off (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAFAR→
45A
Enjoyed a 39-Across (3)
Starts with A, ends with EATE→
46A
Did some undercover work? (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSLEPT→
48A
No longer frozen (6)
Starts with T, ends with DTHAWED→
51A
College-level H.S. science class (6)
Starts with A, ends with MAPCHEM→
54A
Takes advantage of (4)
Starts with U, ends with SUSES→
55A
Small pal of Pooh (3)
Starts with R, ends with OROO→
56A
"Let's check out that replay!" (11)
Starts with R, ends with EROLLTHETAPE→
62A
Greenlighting (5)
Starts with O, ends with GOKING→
64A
Prefix for "pilot" or "correct" (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAUTO→
65A
"No phones at the table," e.g. (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERULE→
66A
Disorderly fight (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMELEE→
67A
Andrajos or goulash (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSTEW→
68A
Exam that's hard to cheat on (4)
Starts with O, ends with LORAL→
69A
Burning desire? (5)
Starts with A, ends with NARSON→
70A
Women's telehealth platform (4)
Starts with H, ends with SHERS→
71A
Mentions (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSAYS→
Down
1D
Attempt (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSTAB→
2D
Athletic brand that makes the Speedcat (4)
Starts with P, ends with APUMA→
3D
Help with a heist (4)
Starts with A, ends with TABET→
4D
Advice from a CPA (6)
Starts with T, ends with PTAXTIP→
5D
Inappropriate (8)
Starts with I, ends with RIMPROPER→
6D
Streep who voiced Insect Queen in "Hoppers" (5)
Starts with M, ends with LMERYL→
7D
Perched upon (4)
Starts with A, ends with PATOP→
8D
"Mi ___ es su ___" (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACASA→
9D
Pink Floyd or Black Sabbath (8)
Starts with R, ends with DROCKBAND→
10D
Take a wrong turn, say (3)
Starts with E, ends with RERR→
11D
Big fiasco (5)
Starts with S, ends with USNAFU→
12D
Canon filler? (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTONER→
13D
Jouster's horse (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSTEED→
21D
Academic URL ending (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEDU→
22D
Tuna container (3)
Starts with C, ends with NCAN→
26D
Shredded barbecue side (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSLAW→
27D
"Awesome!" (4)
Starts with S, ends with KSICK→
28D
Offering that must be paid back (4)
Starts with L, ends with NLOAN→
29D
"Ah, now it makes sense!" (4)
Starts with I, ends with EISEE→
30D
Create new equipment in a video game (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCRAFT→
31D
Pasta ___ carbonara (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALLA→
34D
"Make it snappy!" (4)
Starts with A, ends with PASAP→
36D
Sticking point (4)
Starts with C, ends with WCRAW→
37D
Can't stand (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHATE→
38D
Angled column? (4)
Starts with O, ends with DOPED→
40D
Short meeting? (4)
Starts with S, ends with HSESH→
41D
Cat hair or pollen (8)
Starts with A, ends with NALLERGEN→
42D
Many gallery events (8)
Starts with A, ends with SARTSHOWS→
47D
Broody music genre (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEMO→
49D
___ haw (donkey's sound) (3)
Starts with H, ends with EHEE→
50D
2017 and 2022 World Series champions (6)
Starts with A, ends with SASTROS→
51D
Enticing scent from a bakery (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAROMA→
52D
Fireplace utensil (5)
Starts with P, ends with RPOKER→
53D
They're tightly wound (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCOILS→
54D
Say aloud (5)
Starts with U, ends with RUTTER→
57D
Mascara target (4)
Starts with L, ends with HLASH→
58D
Bard's strings (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELUTE→
59D
A person's general vibe (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAURA→
60D
"Angels in America," e.g. (4)
Starts with P, ends with YPLAY→
61D
Disney's Flotsam and Jetsam, for example (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEELS→
63D
"The Matrix" role (3)
Starts with N, ends with ONEO→
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 16, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Little fight (SPAT); Apple on a teacher's desk? (IMAC); Chills out (RESTS).
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.
