USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 12, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues69
Across34
Down35
DaySaturday
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
Hindu festival observed at the same time as Navaratri (9)
Starts with D, ends with ADURGAPUJA→
10A
___ onto (stick to) (4)
Starts with G, ends with MGLOM→
14A
"Some midday sleep sounds perfect right now!" (9)
Starts with I, ends with PINEEDANAP→
15A
Seized vehicle, for short (4)
Starts with R, ends with OREPO→
16A
Online shopping button (9)
Starts with A, ends with TADDTOCART→
17A
Floats to the top (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRISES→
18A
___ Alamos, NM (3)
Starts with L, ends with SLOS→
19A
Church benches (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPEWS→
20A
City near the Grand Canyon (6)
Starts with S, ends with ASEDONA→
21A
Spanish for "other" (4)
Starts with O, ends with AOTRA→
22A
Juice box brand with a hyphen (3)
Starts with H, ends with CHIC→
23A
Mai ___ (3)
Starts with T, ends with ITAI→
24A
Two-time NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISHAI→
26A
Like a stylish blast from the past (9)
Starts with R, ends with CRETROCHIC→
29A
Car feature used to see what's behind you (14)
Starts with R, ends with RREARVIEWMIRROR→
31A
"Hold, please" (6)
Starts with I, ends with CINASEC→
32A
Slip past (5)
Starts with E, ends with EELUDE→
33A
Low-visibility forecast (3)
Starts with F, ends with GFOG→
34A
Finish a triathlon, e.g. (3)
Starts with R, ends with NRUN→
36A
Male deer (4)
Starts with S, ends with GSTAG→
38A
Lock of hair (5)
Starts with T, ends with STRESS→
40A
School of thought suffix (3)
Starts with I, ends with MISM→
43A
Prayer leader in a mosque (4)
Starts with I, ends with MIMAM→
45A
Fruit named for how long it's said to last (until Christmas) (15)
Starts with S, ends with NSANTACLAUSMELON→
49A
Spanish-speaking explorer of kids' TV (4)
Starts with D, ends with ADORA→
50A
Fully funded experience (8)
Starts with F, ends with EFREERIDE→
51A
Source of easy money (10)
Starts with G, ends with NGRAVYTRAIN→
54A
Huge amount (4)
Starts with S, ends with WSLEW→
56A
Tear into tiny pieces (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSHRED→
57A
Approximate fig. (3)
Starts with E, ends with TEST→
58A
Not as much (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLESS→
59A
Some thick paints (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOILS→
60A
"___ complicated . . ." (3)
Starts with I, ends with SITS→
Down
1D
Enter a phone number (4)
Starts with D, ends with LDIAL→
2D
Ctrl+Z command (4)
Starts with U, ends with OUNDO→
3D
Ruby, garnet and brick (4)
Starts with R, ends with SREDS→
4D
"___ the picture?" (3)
Starts with G, ends with TGET→
5D
Annual celebration of a "foster fail" (13)
Starts with A, ends with YADOPTIVERSARY→
6D
Indiana NBA player (5)
Starts with P, ends with RPACER→
7D
Not in the know (7)
Starts with U, ends with EUNAWARE→
8D
Jam containers (4)
Starts with J, ends with SJARS→
9D
Fitting (3)
Starts with A, ends with TAPT→
10D
This crossword, for example (4)
Starts with G, ends with DGRID→
11D
Country surrounded by South Africa (7)
Starts with L, ends with OLESOTHO→
12D
Like outdoor courtyards (7)
Starts with O, ends with ROPENAIR→
13D
Art made with colored tiles (6)
Starts with M, ends with CMOSAIC→
17D
Fastest-ever performance (10)
Starts with R, ends with ERECORDTIME→
20D
XM radio provider named for a star (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSIRIUS→
21D
Rowboat needs (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOARS→
22D
Web formatting initials (4)
Starts with H, ends with LHTML→
24D
Term of address similar to "dona" (6)
Starts with S, ends with ASENORA→
25D
Ice cream brand with an umlaut (10)
Starts with H, ends with SHAAGENDAZS→
27D
Female sheep (3)
Starts with E, ends with EEWE→
28D
Milky coffee additives (8)
Starts with C, ends with SCREAMERS→
29D
Fractures in friendships (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRIFTS→
30D
Triage locale, for short (3)
Starts with I, ends with UICU→
35D
0, at the World Cup (3)
Starts with N, ends with LNIL→
37D
Astronomer Galileo (7)
Starts with G, ends with IGALILEI→
39D
Range tops (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTOVES→
41D
Trip on which you might see cheetahs (6)
Starts with S, ends with ISAFARI→
42D
Washington, D.C., mayor Bowser (6)
Starts with M, ends with LMURIEL→
44D
Not braggadocious (6)
Starts with M, ends with TMODEST→
46D
Musical featuring Grizabella and Rum Tum Tugger (4)
Starts with C, ends with SCATS→
47D
Puts in the mail (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSENDS→
48D
Semiaquatic salamanders (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNEWTS→
51D
"It's in the net!" shout at the World Cup (3)
Starts with G, ends with LGOL→
52D
Sushi-topping eggs (3)
Starts with R, ends with EROE→
53D
Greek letter that's a homophone of 52-Down (3)
Starts with R, ends with ORHO→
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 September 12, 2026?+
69 clues: 34 Across and 35 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Hindu festival observed at the same time as Navaratri (DURGAPUJA); ___ onto (stick to) (GLOM); "Some midday sleep sounds perfect right now!" (INEEDANAP).
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.
