USA Today Crossword hints and answers for June 12, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across37
Down41
DayFriday
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
Beaver's creation (3)
Starts with D, ends with MDAM→
4A
___ mater (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALMA→
8A
Like some secret messages (5)
Starts with C, ends with DCODED→
13A
Name hidden in "believe" (4)
Starts with E, ends with EELIE→
15A
"I am woman, hear me ___" (4)
Starts with R, ends with RROAR→
16A
Enticing smell (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAROMA→
17A
Outdoor structure with monkey bars (9)
Starts with J, ends with MJUNGLEGYM→
19A
Fees on Monopoly cards (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRENTS→
20A
Spanish for "friend" (5)
Starts with A, ends with OAMIGO→
21A
Earliest time (7)
Starts with S, ends with TSOONEST→
23A
Key above a tilde (3)
Starts with E, ends with CESC→
25A
___ v. Wade (3)
Starts with R, ends with EROE→
26A
Blokes (3)
Starts with M, ends with NMEN→
29A
Historic section of a city (7)
Starts with O, ends with NOLDTOWN→
33A
Depletes energy from (6)
Starts with D, ends with SDRAINS→
35A
Night of much anticipation (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEVE→
36A
Slushy treats (5)
Starts with I, ends with SICEES→
38A
___ 500 (auto race) (4)
Starts with I, ends with YINDY→
39A
Place to grow your own salad ingredients (15)
Starts with V, ends with NVEGETABLEGARDEN→
43A
401(k) alternatives (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIRAS→
44A
Catch some Z's (5)
Starts with S, ends with PSLEEP→
45A
Apple computer (3)
Starts with M, ends with CMAC→
46A
Elite NFL player (6)
Starts with A, ends with OALLPRO→
49A
USB-C to USB-A connector (7)
Starts with A, ends with RADAPTER→
51A
Wordle publisher (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with N, ends with TNYT→
52A
Character's plot trajectory (3)
Starts with A, ends with CARC→
54A
LGBTQ+ activist Carey (3)
Starts with R, ends with AREA→
55A
Installment of a TV series (7)
Starts with E, ends with EEPISODE→
59A
Its first big hit was Pong (5)
Starts with A, ends with IATARI→
63A
October birthstones (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOPALS→
65A
Bazooka Joe or Fruit Stripe product (9)
Starts with B, ends with MBUBBLEGUM→
67A
"Euphoria" actress Alexa (5)
Starts with D, ends with EDEMIE→
68A
McEntire who stars in "Happy's Place" (4)
Starts with R, ends with AREBA→
69A
Backside (4)
Starts with R, ends with PRUMP→
70A
Makes less difficult (5)
Starts with E, ends with SEASES→
71A
"One more thing . . ." (4)
Starts with A, ends with OALSO→
72A
Back talk (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSASS→
Down
1D
___ vu ("I've experienced this before" feeling) (4)
Starts with D, ends with ADEJA→
2D
Class reunion attendee, for short (4)
Starts with A, ends with MALUM→
3D
Word before "Cooper" or "skirt" (4)
Starts with M, ends with IMINI→
4D
"We ___ Family" (Sister Sledge song) (3)
Starts with A, ends with EARE→
5D
Bonfire fuel (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLOGS→
6D
Deli condiment (4)
Starts with M, ends with OMAYO→
7D
Knight's protective gear (5)
Starts with A, ends with RARMOR→
8D
Professional occupation (6)
Starts with C, ends with RCAREER→
9D
Raw metals (4)
Starts with O, ends with SORES→
10D
"Pretend I'm not here" (10)
Starts with D, ends with EDONTMINDME→
11D
Pro trained in CPR (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEMT→
12D
Prosecutors, for short (3)
Starts with D, ends with SDAS→
14D
___ on (urged) (5)
Starts with E, ends with DEGGED→
18D
Flipped out (6)
Starts with L, ends with TLOSTIT→
22D
Silent acknowledgement (3)
Starts with N, ends with DNOD→
24D
___-Cola (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACOCA→
27D
Make beloved (6)
Starts with E, ends with RENDEAR→
28D
"Bye Bye Bye" boy band (5)
Starts with N, ends with CNSYNC→
29D
Excessively (6)
Starts with O, ends with YOVERLY→
30D
Groups of lawyers (10)
Starts with L, ends with SLEGALTEAMS→
31D
Spiders' creations (4)
Starts with W, ends with SWEBS→
32D
Harlem Renaissance novelist Larsen (5)
Starts with N, ends with ANELLA→
34D
Broadcast (3)
Starts with A, ends with RAIR→
35D
French water brand (5)
Starts with E, ends with NEVIAN→
37D
Avocado pit, e.g. (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSEED→
40D
Telepathic letters (3)
Starts with E, ends with PESP→
41D
One of three on a three-speed bike (4)
Starts with G, ends with RGEAR→
42D
Allure (6)
Starts with A, ends with LAPPEAL→
47D
Salary increases (6)
Starts with R, ends with SRAISES→
48D
Surgery sites, for short (3)
Starts with O, ends with SORS→
53D
Snake with a "king" variety (5)
Starts with C, ends with ACOBRA→
56D
Ballet bend (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPLIE→
57D
Two-person sword fight, e.g. (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDUEL→
58D
Flows back, like the tide (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEBBS→
60D
Water, in Spanish (4)
Starts with A, ends with AAGUA→
61D
Distilled spirits made with sugarcane (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRUMS→
62D
Little troublemakers (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIMPS→
63D
Poem of praise (3)
Starts with O, ends with EODE→
64D
Samosa veggie (3)
Starts with P, ends with APEA→
66D
Steamed Chinese bun (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBAO→
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 June 12, 2026?+
78 clues: 37 Across and 41 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Beaver's creation (DAM); ___ mater (ALMA); Like some secret messages (CODED).
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.
