USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 24, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues72
Across35
Down37
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
Dish of thinly sliced raw meat (9)
Starts with C, ends with OCARPACCIO→
10A
Express contempt (5)
Starts with S, ends with FSCOFF→
15A
Pungent bakery offering that might be certified kosher (9)
Starts with O, ends with LONIONROLL→
16A
"Bathers by a River" painter Matisse (5)
Starts with H, ends with IHENRI→
17A
Place to rack 'em up (9)
Starts with P, ends with EPOOLTABLE→
18A
"Come on in!" (5)
Starts with E, ends with RENTER→
19A
Part of a.m. (4)
Starts with A, ends with EANTE→
20A
Runs out of power (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDIES→
21A
Barbecue remnants (5)
Starts with A, ends with SASHES→
22A
"Superman" villain Luthor (3)
Starts with L, ends with XLEX→
23A
Porridge that might be watery (5)
Starts with G, ends with LGRUEL→
24A
Wine fruit (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGRAPE→
28A
___ Tour (sports org.) (3)
Starts with P, ends with APGA→
30A
Get groceries, perhaps (4)
Starts with S, ends with PSHOP→
32A
Swirled dessert (5)
Starts with F, ends with OFROYO→
33A
Not fixed (5)
Starts with F, ends with DFLUID→
35A
Rowing need (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROAR→
36A
"Treat me with respect!" (15)
Starts with L, ends with ELOSETHEATTITUDE→
40A
Pre-finals round (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSEMIS→
41A
Stroll casually (5)
Starts with M, ends with YMOSEY→
42A
Comedic bits (4)
Starts with G, ends with SGAGS→
44A
Went for a jog (3)
Starts with R, ends with NRAN→
45A
Part of an underground network in "The Bone Season" series (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSEWER→
46A
Genre for Seu Jorge (5)
Starts with S, ends with ASAMBA→
48A
ChapStick target (3)
Starts with L, ends with PLIP→
50A
Spring month (5)
Starts with A, ends with LAPRIL→
51A
Road division (4)
Starts with L, ends with ELANE→
52A
Part of a molecule (4)
Starts with A, ends with MATOM→
56A
Move like a crab (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESIDLE→
57A
"Bummer" (9)
Starts with I, ends with EITSASHAME→
59A
Leg joints (5)
Starts with K, ends with SKNEES→
60A
Chicagoland, for one (9)
Starts with M, ends with AMETROAREA→
61A
Ships off (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSENDS→
62A
Ensemble with trumpets and trombones (9)
Starts with B, ends with DBRASSBAND→
Down
1D
___ America (soccer tournament) (4)
Starts with C, ends with ACOPA→
2D
Unnamed author, online (4)
Starts with A, ends with NANON→
3D
A total hoot (4)
Starts with R, ends with TRIOT→
4D
Skier's stabilizer (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPOLE→
5D
Insect that might invade a kitchen (3)
Starts with A, ends with TANT→
6D
"And the cat's in the ___ and the silver spoon" (6)
Starts with C, ends with ECRADLE→
7D
"How I Met Your Mother" star Smulders (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECOBIE→
8D
"Just trust me for now" (15)
Starts with I, ends with RILLEXPLAINLATER→
9D
World Cup cheers (4)
Starts with O, ends with SOLES→
10D
Remove wool from (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSHEAR→
11D
Population-counting survey (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCENSUS→
12D
Complimentary, like a round of drinks (10)
Starts with O, ends with EONTHEHOUSE→
13D
Mooch (10)
Starts with F, ends with RFREELOADER→
14D
Many Christmas trees (4)
Starts with F, ends with SFIRS→
23D
Trot or canter, for example (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGAIT→
24D
"Stand up for yourself!" (10)
Starts with G, ends with EGROWASPINE→
25D
Floral White House area (10)
Starts with R, ends with NROSEGARDEN→
26D
"Yes," at sea (3)
Starts with A, ends with EAYE→
27D
Poker winnings (4)
Starts with P, ends with SPOTS→
29D
"No ___, no glory" (4)
Starts with G, ends with SGUTS→
31D
Salmon, to bears (4)
Starts with P, ends with YPREY→
32D
Switzerland has a square one (4)
Starts with F, ends with GFLAG→
33D
Hurricane response org. (4)
Starts with F, ends with AFEMA→
34D
Turn on a ___ (change direction quickly) (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDIME→
37D
Antagonist of the Trojans, in "The Iliad" (4)
Starts with H, ends with AHERA→
43D
Reacted to a compliment, perhaps (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSMILED→
45D
"Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know" singer Britney (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSPEARS→
47D
Sanctify (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBLESS→
49D
App with photo dumps, for short (5)
Starts with I, ends with AINSTA→
50D
Seeks answers (4)
Starts with A, ends with SASKS→
51D
An arm or a leg (4)
Starts with L, ends with BLIMB→
52D
"Moby-Dick" captain (4)
Starts with A, ends with BAHAB→
53D
Skater Lipinski (4)
Starts with T, ends with ATARA→
54D
Warning sign (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOMEN→
55D
Honey-based brew (4)
Starts with M, ends with DMEAD→
58D
Sailor's emergency signal (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSOS→
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 24, 2026?+
72 clues: 35 Across and 37 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Dish of thinly sliced raw meat (CARPACCIO); Express contempt (SCOFF); Pungent bakery offering that might be certified kosher (ONIONROLL).
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.
