USA Today Crossword hints and answers for August 27, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across38
Down40
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
Forensic TV drama (3)
Starts with C, ends with ICSI→
9A
Beta follower (5)
Starts with G, ends with AGAMMA→
15A
Dried poblano (5)
Starts with A, ends with OANCHO→
16A
It's made up of chapters (5)
Starts with U, ends with NUNION→
17A
Surgery sites (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with O, ends with SORS→
18A
Relay item (5)
Starts with B, ends with NBATON→
19A
Fancy tie alternative (5)
Starts with A, ends with TASCOT→
20A
Dance for high school seniors (4)
Starts with P, ends with MPROM→
22A
Apt name for a botanist (3)
Starts with I, ends with YIVY→
23A
Sleeveless garments (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVESTS→
24A
Situation in which two people trade duties (12)
Starts with R, ends with LROLEREVERSAL→
29A
Android alternative (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIOS→
30A
Word before "Clash" or "Cure" (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETHE→
33A
Kind of card for a phone (3)
Starts with S, ends with MSIM→
34A
K-i-s-s-i-n-g outdoors, e.g. (3)
Starts with P, ends with APDA→
35A
It's around a foot (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESHOE→
36A
London venue named after Queen Victoria's husband (15)
Starts with R, ends with LROYALALBERTHALL→
41A
YouTube diary, perhaps (4)
Starts with V, ends with GVLOG→
42A
Animal that says "hee-haw" (3)
Starts with A, ends with SASS→
43A
Pricing figures (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRATES→
44A
Like a rush delivery (7)
Starts with S, ends with YSAMEDAY→
47A
"Shrinking" actor Harrison (4)
Starts with F, ends with DFORD→
48A
Netflix show that has Natasha Lyonne's character in a time loop (11)
Starts with R, ends with LRUSSIANDOLL→
53A
Person who sleeps in the starfish position (6)
Starts with B, ends with GBEDHOG→
57A
March on Washington figure (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with M, ends with KMLK→
58A
Marine mammal (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSEAL→
59A
Visitor from outer space (5)
Starts with A, ends with NALIEN→
60A
Undercover spies (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMOLES→
62A
Place to get a HydraFacial (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASPA→
63A
Point fingers at (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBLAME→
64A
Path around the sun (5)
Starts with O, ends with TORBIT→
65A
Suffix for "skeptic" or "cynic" (3)
Starts with I, ends with MISM→
66A
Squeals (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYELPS→
67A
Like a stage-five clinger (5)
Starts with N, ends with YNEEDY→
68A
Piping-hot goss (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
Down
1D
Actress Priyanka (6)
Starts with C, ends with ACHOPRA→
2D
Sadness (6)
Starts with S, ends with WSORROW→
3D
Removable boot part (6)
Starts with I, ends with EINSOLE→
5D
Genetic messenger (3)
Starts with R, ends with ARNA→
6D
Not idle (6)
Starts with A, ends with EACTIVE→
8D
Trots for tots (9)
Starts with P, ends with SPONYRIDES→
9D
Tropical fruits (6)
Starts with G, ends with SGUAVAS→
10D
Photographer Adams (5)
Starts with A, ends with LANSEL→
11D
Lapel attachments (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMICS→
12D
Not worth discussing (4)
Starts with M, ends with TMOOT→
13D
___ on a log (4)
Starts with A, ends with SANTS→
21D
One might be found in a bottle (7)
Starts with M, ends with EMESSAGE→
25D
Stir up (4)
Starts with R, ends with LROIL→
26D
"Bugonia" star Stone (4)
Starts with E, ends with AEMMA→
27D
Fly high (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSOAR→
30D
"Enough already!" (10)
Starts with T, ends with TTHATDOESIT→
31D
Problem for an inflatable mattress (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHOLE→
32D
Snakelike fish (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEELS→
34D
"Masterpiece" network (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPBS→
35D
Broken bits of pottery (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSHARDS→
36D
Parts of hookup culture? (3)
Starts with R, ends with SRVS→
37D
Hello, in Portuguese (3)
Starts with O, ends with AOLA→
38D
___ Kippur (3)
Starts with Y, ends with MYOM→
39D
"Betcha can't eat just one" brand (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLAYS→
40D
Movie universe with a Game Grid (4)
Starts with T, ends with NTRON→
45D
They serve the queen (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDRONES→
46D
Mo. with International Clown Week (3)
Starts with A, ends with GAUG→
47D
One might be confiscated by a bouncer (6)
Starts with F, ends with DFAKEID→
49D
Fireside treat (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESMORE→
50D
"___ the judge of that" (5)
Starts with I, ends with EILLBE→
51D
Error in judgment (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELAPSE→
52D
Alpaca cousin (5)
Starts with L, ends with ALLAMA→
53D
Person with a crib sheet? (4)
Starts with B, ends with YBABY→
54D
"Margo's Got Money Troubles" actress Fanning (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELLE→
55D
Watch part (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDIAL→
56D
Eco-friendly fiber (4)
Starts with H, ends with PHEMP→
60D
Nickname for Ross' sister on "Friends" (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMON→
61D
Pigpen (3)
Starts with S, ends with YSTY→
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 27, 2026?+
78 clues: 38 Across and 40 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Forensic TV drama (CSI); Grip (GRASP); Beta follower (GAMMA).
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.
