USA Today Crossword hints and answers for July 20, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across36
Down40
DayMonday
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
"Cool!" (3)
Starts with R, ends with DRAD→
4A
Carne ___ (taco meat) (5)
Starts with A, ends with AASADA→
9A
"Rough" document (5)
Starts with D, ends with TDRAFT→
14A
Part of the psyche (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEGO→
15A
Introductory course? (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSALAD→
16A
Cut off (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSEVER→
17A
Actor who played Tony Soprano (15)
Starts with J, ends with IJAMESGANDOLFINI→
20A
"Wya?" responses (4)
Starts with E, ends with SETAS→
21A
Sought permission (5)
Starts with A, ends with DASKED→
22A
Marathon or sprint (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERACE→
23A
Side for fish in England (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCHIPS→
25A
Money-back offers (7)
Starts with R, ends with SREBATES→
27A
M&M color replaced by blue (3)
Starts with T, ends with NTAN→
28A
Small haircuts (5)
Starts with T, ends with STRIMS→
32A
"Not true!" (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLIES→
33A
Turtlelike resident of Mushroom Kingdom (5)
Starts with K, ends with AKOOPA→
34A
BLINK or ARMY member (3)
Starts with F, ends with NFAN→
35A
Actress who has been praised for embracing a makeup-free look (14)
Starts with P, ends with NPAMELAANDERSON→
42A
Aksumite Empire river (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENILE→
43A
___ talk (3)
Starts with P, ends with PPEP→
45A
L.A. football player (3)
Starts with R, ends with MRAM→
46A
What a bloodhound picks up (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSCENT→
48A
Hoppy drink (4)
Starts with B, ends with RBEER→
49A
Banger (3)
Starts with B, ends with PBOP→
52A
Metallic resource in the game Kutna Hora (3)
Starts with O, ends with EORE→
53A
Apt name for a beach lover (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSANDY→
54A
Performer who made the fruit hat famous (13)
Starts with C, ends with ACARMENMIRANDA→
58A
"Triangle" and "integral," for example (8)
Starts with A, ends with SANAGRAMS→
59A
San Diego MLB team (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPADRES→
62A
One might have erasable ink (3)
Starts with P, ends with NPEN→
63A
Mosque leader (4)
Starts with I, ends with MIMAM→
64A
Takes time to dress nicely (6)
Starts with P, ends with SPRIMPS→
65A
Palindromic animal (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEWE→
66A
Minimalist's "more" (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLESS→
67A
Two-person playground apparatus (6)
Starts with S, ends with WSEESAW→
Down
1D
Vote down (6)
Starts with R, ends with TREJECT→
2D
"And Then There Were None" author Christie (6)
Starts with A, ends with AAGATHA→
4D
Donkey (3)
Starts with A, ends with SASS→
5D
Word after "Forsyte" or "Dark Phoenix" (4)
Starts with S, ends with ASAGA→
6D
"It's very sad" (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALAS→
7D
Like many caves (4)
Starts with D, ends with KDANK→
8D
Venomous vipers (6)
Starts with A, ends with SADDERS→
9D
Broadband option (3)
Starts with D, ends with LDSL→
10D
Choruses (8)
Starts with R, ends with SREFRAINS→
11D
Operate a plane (6)
Starts with A, ends with EAVIATE→
12D
August Wilson play set in the Civil Rights era (6)
Starts with F, ends with SFENCES→
13D
Attempts (5)
Starts with T, ends with STRIES→
18D
One of Jean Grey's powers (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with E, ends with PESP→
19D
Poem of praise (3)
Starts with O, ends with EODE→
24D
Took without asking (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESTOLE→
26D
Siren sound (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBLARE→
29D
Potholes' places (5)
Starts with R, ends with SROADS→
30D
Hoppy beer (3)
Starts with I, ends with AIPA→
31D
Distinctive gestures, expressions, etc. (10)
Starts with M, ends with SMANNERISMS→
33D
He only has a great day if Barbie looks at him (3)
Starts with K, ends with NKEN→
34D
Fuzzy fabric (4)
Starts with F, ends with TFELT→
35D
"As ___ my last email . . ." (3)
Starts with P, ends with RPER→
36D
"Hacks" character Daniels (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAVA→
37D
Cell layer (8)
Starts with M, ends with EMEMBRANE→
38D
Eatery that might have a pie case (5)
Starts with D, ends with RDINER→
39D
Welcoming gesture (8)
Starts with O, ends with SOPENARMS→
40D
"Man I ___" (Olivia Dean song) (4)
Starts with N, ends with DNEED→
44D
Use a crowbar (3)
Starts with P, ends with YPRY→
47D
Features of many run-on sentences (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCOMMAS→
48D
"She a ___, she know she a ten" (Ice Spice lyric) (6)
Starts with B, ends with EBADDIE→
50D
"!! No way!!?" (3)
Starts with O, ends with GOMG→
51D
Danger (5)
Starts with P, ends with LPERIL→
53D
Drum in a rimshot (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESNARE→
54D
Batman accessory (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECAPE→
55D
All over again (4)
Starts with A, ends with WANEW→
56D
Dan or Shannon, for example (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENAME→
57D
Merlin Bird ID and Duolingo, for two (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPPS→
60D
Emissions-regulating org. (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEPA→
61D
Opposite of NNE (3)
Starts with S, ends with WSSW→
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 20, 2026?+
76 clues: 36 Across and 40 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: "Cool!" (RAD); Carne ___ (taco meat) (ASADA); "Rough" document (DRAFT).
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.
