USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 25, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues76
Across37
Down39
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
What a lot of board game boards are (4)
Starts with M, ends with SMAPS→
5A
Unalterable destiny (4)
Starts with F, ends with EFATE→
9A
Words on a state seal (5)
Starts with M, ends with OMOTTO→
14A
Italian menu preposition (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALLA→
15A
___ predator (top of the food chain) (4)
Starts with A, ends with XAPEX→
16A
Committee head (5)
Starts with C, ends with RCHAIR→
17A
Surplus (4)
Starts with G, ends with TGLUT→
18A
Sported (4)
Starts with W, ends with EWORE→
19A
September 25th and July 1st, e.g. (5)
Starts with D, ends with SDATES→
20A
Fancier name for a movie (13)
Starts with M, ends with EMOTIONPICTURE→
23A
"Like . . . now!" (6)
Starts with A, ends with EATONCE→
24A
Devours quickly (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSCARFS→
27A
Online annoyances (3)
Starts with A, ends with SADS→
29A
Himalayan beast (3)
Starts with Y, ends with KYAK→
30A
Pepa Madrigal, to Mirabel, in "Encanto" (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATIA→
31A
Church bell sound (4)
Starts with P, ends with LPEAL→
34A
Long way off (4)
Starts with A, ends with RAFAR→
36A
Bunches (4)
Starts with T, ends with STONS→
37A
Short description of someone (15)
Starts with C, ends with HCHARACTERSKETCH→
40A
It's often wound up (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHOSE→
41A
Accessory for Kenny G (4)
Starts with R, ends with DREED→
42A
Word after "corned beef" and before "brown" (4)
Starts with H, ends with HHASH→
43A
Whichever (3)
Starts with A, ends with YANY→
44A
"___ All That" (2021 gender-swapped film) (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHES→
45A
Ariel's home (3)
Starts with S, ends with ASEA→
47A
Builds up anticipation for, like a new movie (6)
Starts with T, ends with STEASES→
49A
Curly-tailed Japanese dogs (6)
Starts with A, ends with SAKITAS→
54A
Doppelganger (13)
Starts with S, ends with ESPITTINGIMAGE→
58A
Members of the Holy See (5)
Starts with P, ends with SPOPES→
60A
Person with a huge following (4)
Starts with I, ends with LIDOL→
61A
Bit of PR finesse (4)
Starts with S, ends with NSPIN→
62A
Knuckle or knee (5)
Starts with J, ends with TJOINT→
63A
Trellis-climbing plant (4)
Starts with V, ends with EVINE→
64A
Flotsam and Jetsam, for two (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEELS→
65A
Casts off (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSHEDS→
66A
Dedicated verses (4)
Starts with O, ends with SODES→
67A
Genealogy chart (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETREE→
Down
1D
Lava, once (5)
Starts with M, ends with AMAGMA→
2D
Divvy up (5)
Starts with A, ends with TALLOT→
3D
Mickey Mouse's pet dog (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPLUTO→
4D
Glossy fabric (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSATIN→
5D
___ over (flattered excessively) (6)
Starts with F, ends with DFAWNED→
6D
Per person (4)
Starts with A, ends with PAPOP→
7D
"Desperate Housewives" star Hatcher (4)
Starts with T, ends with ITERI→
8D
CEO, e.g. (4)
Starts with E, ends with CEXEC→
9D
Scrooge ___ (cartoon character who dives into his gold coins) (6)
Starts with M, ends with KMCDUCK→
10D
"Schitt's Creek" actress Catherine (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOHARA→
11D
Alternative to fries (9)
Starts with T, ends with STATERTOTS→
12D
Part of a formal dress code (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETIE→
13D
Surgical areas (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with O, ends with SORS→
21D
Central Florida city (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOCALA→
22D
Russian rulers of old (5)
Starts with T, ends with STSARS→
25D
Fictional lawyer Atticus (5)
Starts with F, ends with HFINCH→
26D
Broad band? (4)
Starts with S, ends with HSASH→
28D
Totally fulfills (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSATES→
29D
Places to play catch (5)
Starts with Y, ends with SYARDS→
31D
Device that can be put on "Do Not Disturb" mode (5)
Starts with P, ends with EPHONE→
32D
"It's a cinch!" (9)
Starts with E, ends with EEASYASPIE→
33D
Is for more than one person? (3)
Starts with A, ends with EARE→
35D
ATM charge (3)
Starts with F, ends with EFEE→
36D
Mad ___ Party (spinning ride) (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATEA→
37D
Exchange some small talk (4)
Starts with C, ends with TCHAT→
38D
Sensodyne alternative (5)
Starts with C, ends with TCREST→
39D
Slacks color (5)
Starts with K, ends with IKHAKI→
44D
Some bank jobs (6)
Starts with H, ends with SHEISTS→
46D
NFL team with a mascot named Swoop (6)
Starts with E, ends with SEAGLES→
48D
Use up dough (5)
Starts with S, ends with DSPEND→
50D
"Ready when you are" (5)
Starts with I, ends with TIMSET→
51D
Come to a point (5)
Starts with T, ends with RTAPER→
52D
Like a gymnast (5)
Starts with A, ends with EAGILE→
53D
It's not always so common (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESENSE→
55D
Early DVR option (4)
Starts with T, ends with OTIVO→
56D
Terse confession (4)
Starts with I, ends with DIDID→
57D
Nary a one (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENONE→
58D
Bedtime attire, for short (3)
Starts with P, ends with SPJS→
59D
"Nice one!" (3)
Starts with O, ends with HOOH→
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 25, 2026?+
76 clues: 37 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: What a lot of board game boards are (MAPS); Unalterable destiny (FATE); Words on a state seal (MOTTO).
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.
