USA Today Crossword hints and answers for July 16, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across39
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
Prom night ride (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLIMO→
5A
___ electricity (6)
Starts with S, ends with CSTATIC→
11A
Take more than your share of (3)
Starts with H, ends with GHOG→
14A
"Milk's Favorite Cookie" (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOREO→
15A
Beach hut (6)
Starts with C, ends with ACABANA→
16A
Hawaiian for "fire" (3)
Starts with A, ends with IAHI→
17A
That's fishy! (11)
Starts with S, ends with LSEAFOODBOIL→
19A
Metal in bronze, often (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTIN→
20A
Short musical projects, for short (3)
Starts with E, ends with SEPS→
21A
Say grace, say (4)
Starts with P, ends with YPRAY→
22A
Some ballet wear (6)
Starts with T, ends with STIGHTS→
24A
Corned beef sandwich with Russian dressing (6)
Starts with R, ends with NREUBEN→
27A
Tegan's twin (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASARA→
28A
Field covering (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSOD→
31A
Healing item in many a video game (6)
Starts with P, ends with NPOTION→
32A
"Meet the Parents" star Polo (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITERI→
34A
Matter being discussed (5)
Starts with T, ends with CTOPIC→
36A
_andom _umber _enerator (3)
Starts with R, ends with GRNG→
37A
That's phishy! (9)
Starts with E, ends with MEMAILSCAM→
40A
___/her (pronoun pair) (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESHE→
43A
Frisbees, essentially (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDISCS→
44A
Southwest art haven (4)
Starts with T, ends with STAOS→
47A
Bleep out (6)
Starts with C, ends with RCENSOR→
49A
And so on and so forth (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with E, ends with CETC→
53A
Instrument with pipes and stops (5)
Starts with O, ends with NORGAN→
54A
Feel bitter about (6)
Starts with R, ends with TRESENT→
58A
Bratty person (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSNOT→
60A
Hosp. scan (3)
Starts with M, ends with IMRI→
61A
___ straits (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDIRE→
62A
That's Phish-y! (10)
Starts with R, ends with NRUNAWAYGIN→
66A
Show such as "Witch Hat Atelier" or "One Piece" (5)
Starts with A, ends with EANIME→
67A
Tiny ___ Concerts (NPR show) (4)
Starts with D, ends with KDESK→
68A
Bug repellent ingredient (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDEET→
69A
Recorded on VHS (5)
Starts with T, ends with DTAPED→
70A
Notices (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSEES→
Down
1D
They didn't get the win (6)
Starts with L, ends with SLOSERS→
2D
"Once more for emphasis . . ." (7)
Starts with I, ends with TIREPEAT→
3D
Bar of music (7)
Starts with M, ends with EMEASURE→
4D
"That sucks" (3)
Starts with O, ends with FOOF→
5D
Shows contempt (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSCORNS→
6D
"There you have it!" (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATADA→
7D
Second-highest international scorer in soccer Wambach (4)
Starts with A, ends with YABBY→
8D
Mathematician and Fields Medal winner Terence (3)
Starts with T, ends with OTAO→
9D
Still competing (4)
Starts with I, ends with TINIT→
10D
Tricolor feline that is almost always female (9)
Starts with C, ends with TCALICOCAT→
11D
It might be caused by wearing a helmet (7)
Starts with H, ends with RHATHAIR→
12D
"Them's fighting words!" (7)
Starts with O, ends with NOHITSON→
13D
Root used in samgye-tang (7)
Starts with G, ends with GGINSENG→
18D
Midwestern interjection (3)
Starts with O, ends with EOPE→
23D
Figure out (3)
Starts with G, ends with TGET→
25D
___naked Ladies (rock band) (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBARE→
29D
___ Spunkmeyer (baked goods distribution company) (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOTIS→
30D
Sweet, in an Italian pastry shop (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDOLCE→
31D
Photograph, for short (3)
Starts with P, ends with CPIC→
33D
"Finished!" (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIMDONE→
35D
Quiet "Over here!" (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPSST→
38D
Word before "bubble" or "mattress" (3)
Starts with A, ends with RAIR→
39D
Gymnastics cushions (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMATS→
40D
Reprimanded (7)
Starts with S, ends with DSCOLDED→
41D
Scout Finch or Mulan, e.g. (7)
Starts with H, ends with EHEROINE→
42D
Them's fighting words! (7)
Starts with E, ends with EENGARDE→
45D
"No way!!!" (7)
Starts with O, ends with EOHEMGEE→
46D
Lighting up? (7)
Starts with S, ends with ESUNRISE→
48D
Least risky (6)
Starts with S, ends with TSAFEST→
50D
Bragged (6)
Starts with C, ends with DCROWED→
55D
GPS fig. (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
57D
"Darn it!" (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDRAT→
58D
Use scissors, say (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSNIP→
59D
It might make someone entitled, say (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENAME→
63D
Ni ___ Menos (grassroots feminist movement) (3)
Starts with U, ends with AUNA→
64D
NFL gains (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYDS→
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 July 16, 2026?+
76 clues: 39 Across and 37 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Prom night ride (LIMO); ___ electricity (STATIC); Take more than your share of (HOG).
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.
