USA Today Crossword hints and answers for July 9, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues72
Across37
Down35
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
Do some sums (3)
Starts with A, ends with DADD→
4A
"Sum" homophone (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESOME→
8A
___ couture (5)
Starts with H, ends with EHAUTE→
13A
Not against (3)
Starts with F, ends with RFOR→
14A
Flibbertigibbet (10)
Starts with C, ends with XCHATTERBOX→
16A
Stripped-down NPR music event (15)
Starts with T, ends with TTINYDESKCONCERT→
18A
Role play? (3)
Starts with A, ends with TACT→
19A
___ Braden (civil rights activist) (4)
Starts with A, ends with EANNE→
20A
Really lay on, like a horn (5)
Starts with B, ends with EBLARE→
21A
Butt one can bum (3)
Starts with C, ends with GCIG→
22A
Ocean color (8)
Starts with S, ends with NSEAGREEN→
24A
___ fairy (5)
Starts with T, ends with HTOOTH→
26A
Luau dish (3)
Starts with P, ends with IPOI→
27A
Ingredient in beer and bread (5)
Starts with Y, ends with TYEAST→
31A
"Soon" (6)
Starts with I, ends with TINABIT→
33A
Poetic shoutout (3)
Starts with O, ends with EODE→
35A
What a facepalm might mean (3)
Starts with D, ends with HDUH→
36A
Crow sounds (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCAWS→
37A
More unusual (5)
Starts with O, ends with RODDER→
39A
"Da ___" (nickname for a world-famous Chicagoan) (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPOPE→
40A
Accessibility law, for short (3)
Starts with A, ends with AADA→
41A
Insta post (3)
Starts with P, ends with CPIC→
42A
Queen Latifah, e.g. (6)
Starts with R, ends with RRAPPER→
44A
Like a friend who always has your back (5)
Starts with L, ends with LLOYAL→
47A
That lady (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESHE→
49A
Vintage (5)
Starts with R, ends with ORETRO→
50A
Purr-fect spot for sleeping, playing and scratching (8)
Starts with C, ends with OCATCONDO→
53A
"Te ___ mucho" (3)
Starts with A, ends with OAMO→
54A
Cheeky (5)
Starts with S, ends with YSAUCY→
56A
Celebrity couple (4)
Starts with I, ends with MITEM→
57A
Rodent in a lab (3)
Starts with R, ends with TRAT→
58A
YouTubers and TikTokkers, e.g. (15)
Starts with C, ends with SCONTENTCREATORS→
61A
Green Bay Packers fan (10)
Starts with C, ends with DCHEESEHEAD→
62A
___ tai (3)
Starts with M, ends with IMAI→
63A
Scatter some seeds (3)
Starts with S, ends with WSOW→
64A
Nile vipers (4)
Starts with A, ends with SASPS→
65A
Likely response to "Who wants to go to Disneyland?" (3)
Starts with I, ends with OIDO→
Down
1D
Enthusiast (10)
Starts with A, ends with OAFICIONADO→
2D
"Stay tuned . . . we'll be right back!" (10)
Starts with D, ends with YDONTGOAWAY→
3D
Like an arid climate (3)
Starts with D, ends with YDRY→
4D
Play part (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESCENE→
5D
"Sick burn!" (6)
Starts with O, ends with POHSNAP→
6D
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" (15)
Starts with M, ends with SMAKEGOODCHOICES→
7D
" . . . you get the idea" (3)
Starts with E, ends with CETC→
8D
Pullover shirt with buttons at the neckline (6)
Starts with H, ends with YHENLEY→
9D
Like knowledge that might elicit a "How on EARTH did you know that?!" (6)
Starts with A, ends with EARCANE→
10D
Lyft alternative (4)
Starts with U, ends with RUBER→
11D
Ripped (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETORE→
12D
Phone number add-on (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEXT→
15D
Father-___ (expectant parent) (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETOBE→
16D
Strategic (8)
Starts with T, ends with LTACTICAL→
17D
Japanese soup stock (5)
Starts with D, ends with IDASHI→
23D
Roller coaster, e.g. (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERIDE→
25D
Channel with "Young Sheldon" reruns (3)
Starts with T, ends with STBS→
28D
Highway beautification program (10)
Starts with A, ends with DADOPTAROAD→
29D
Game series with warp pipes and mushroom power-ups (10)
Starts with S, ends with OSUPERMARIO→
30D
Questlove's band (8)
Starts with T, ends with STHEROOTS→
34D
38D
___ golf (4)
Starts with D, ends with CDISC→
39D
N95 masks, e.g. (3)
Starts with P, ends with EPPE→
43D
Swell smell (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAROMA→
45D
Not quite right? (5)
Starts with A, ends with EACUTE→
46D
Shoestrings (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLACES→
48D
Lure into a sting operation (6)
Starts with E, ends with PENTRAP→
51D
Actress Daly (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETYNE→
52D
Property documents (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDEEDS→
54D
Fashionable Manhattan neighborhood (4)
Starts with S, ends with OSOHO→
55D
Once more (4)
Starts with A, ends with WANEW→
58D
Includes on an email (3)
Starts with C, ends with SCCS→
59D
"J to ___ L-O! The Remixes" (2002 album) (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATHA→
60D
"I SO did not need to know that" (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITMI→
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 9, 2026?+
72 clues: 37 Across and 35 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Do some sums (ADD); "Sum" homophone (SOME); ___ couture (HAUTE).
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.
