USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 21, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across41
Down35
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
Snooze (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDOZE→
5A
"Wish" character who sings "This Wish" (4)
Starts with A, ends with AASHA→
9A
___ Faust (Rebecca Ferguson's character in the "Mission: Impossible" series) (4)
Starts with I, ends with AILSA→
13A
Primates without tails (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPES→
14A
"Don't you see what this ___?" (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMEANS→
16A
Brunch, e.g. (4)
Starts with M, ends with LMEAL→
17A
Like a cranberry martini, perhaps (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTART→
18A
Emmet Cohen jazz style (5)
Starts with B, ends with PBEBOP→
19A
"I'm so sure" sound (4)
Starts with P, ends with TPFFT→
20A
Part of a remedy for a sick burn? (8)
Starts with A, ends with AALOEVERA→
22A
Overact, perhaps (5)
Starts with E, ends with EEMOTE→
24A
Either "P" of P2P file sharing (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPEER→
25A
Most kind (6)
Starts with N, ends with TNICEST→
27A
Parts of cherries (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEMS→
29A
Lite-Brite piece (3)
Starts with P, ends with GPEG→
30A
Little laugh (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHEHE→
32A
"___ Body Is Bible" (3)
Starts with H, ends with RHER→
33A
Rose features (6)
Starts with T, ends with STHORNS→
36A
"Don't ___ yourself short" (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSELL→
38A
Creature unlikely to be invited to Rivendell (3)
Starts with O, ends with CORC→
39A
Performing without accompaniment (7)
Starts with S, ends with GSOLOING→
41A
Country singer Jo ___ Messina (3)
Starts with D, ends with EDEE→
42A
Cookie you can deep-fry (4)
Starts with O, ends with OOREO→
44A
Walk quietly (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETIPTOE→
45A
Birth mo. for some Libras (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOCT→
46A
Road trip rest spots (4)
Starts with I, ends with SINNS→
48A
Casual shirt (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETEE→
49A
Moves briskly (5)
Starts with T, ends with STROTS→
51A
Word before "curl" or "dip" (6)
Starts with T, ends with PTRICEP→
53A
Santa Monica's has a Ferris wheel (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPIER→
54A
Yoga posture (5)
Starts with A, ends with AASANA→
55A
Ghostly apparitions (8)
Starts with P, ends with SPHANTOMS→
59A
Professor ___ (Clue character) (4)
Starts with P, ends with MPLUM→
60A
Wintry precipitation (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSLEET→
62A
Hoppy brews, for short (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIPAS→
63A
Waterproof sheet (4)
Starts with T, ends with PTARP→
64A
Scroll read from at a bar mitzvah (5)
Starts with T, ends with HTORAH→
65A
___ in (control) (4)
Starts with R, ends with NREIN→
66A
Tip jar bills, often (4)
Starts with O, ends with SONES→
67A
Vanilla amts. (4)
Starts with T, ends with STSPS→
68A
Wraps up (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENDS→
Down
1D
Spreadsheet contents (4)
Starts with D, ends with ADATA→
2D
Birthstone for some Libras (4)
Starts with O, ends with LOPAL→
3D
In absolutely no way certain (15)
Starts with Z, ends with EZEROPERCENTSURE→
4D
Self-___ (6)
Starts with E, ends with MESTEEM→
5D
"Whoa, ___ is the color of your energy" (5)
Starts with A, ends with RAMBER→
6D
Prophet (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSEER→
7D
Fiery salsa ingredients (15)
Starts with H, ends with SHABANEROPEPPERS→
8D
"I'll take that as ___" (3)
Starts with A, ends with OANO→
9D
Stays too long, say (7)
Starts with I, ends with SIMPOSES→
10D
Kept an option available, say (15)
Starts with L, ends with NLEFTTHEDOOROPEN→
11D
Hotel room box (4)
Starts with S, ends with ESAFE→
12D
Second Reddit account, say (3)
Starts with A, ends with TALT→
15D
Design detail, for short (4)
Starts with S, ends with CSPEC→
21D
Sleeveless garments (5)
Starts with V, ends with SVESTS→
23D
"Not loving that" (3)
Starts with M, ends with HMEH→
26D
Catch fire (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIGNITE→
27D
"Get outta here!" (4)
Starts with S, ends with OSHOO→
28D
"Glee" character Schuester (5)
Starts with T, ends with ITERRI→
29D
Courteous (6)
Starts with P, ends with EPOLITE→
31D
Put into office (5)
Starts with E, ends with TELECT→
34D
"That looks good on you" (3)
Starts with H, ends with THOT→
35D
___-Caps (candy) (3)
Starts with S, ends with OSNO→
37D
"___ just say . . ." (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLETS→
40D
"Sure, I'll give you a ride!" (5)
Starts with G, ends with NGETIN→
43D
Highway entrances (7)
Starts with O, ends with SONRAMPS→
47D
Pride, e.g. (3)
Starts with S, ends with NSIN→
50D
Leave the workforce (6)
Starts with R, ends with ERETIRE→
52D
Actors listed in a Playbill (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCAST→
53D
"I'm happy our ___ crossed" (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPATHS→
54D
"Die Hard" actor Rickman (4)
Starts with A, ends with NALAN→
57D
___ of honor (4)
Starts with M, ends with DMAID→
58D
IRS IDs (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSSNS→
59D
Perk for salaried workers (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with P, ends with OPTO→
61D
Parking area (3)
Starts with L, ends with TLOT→
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 21, 2026?+
76 clues: 41 Across and 35 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Snooze (DOZE); "Wish" character who sings "This Wish" (ASHA); ___ Faust (Rebecca Ferguson's character in the "Mission: Impossible" series) (ILSA).
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.
