USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 28, 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
Lip applications (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBALMS→
6A
Went sideways on a slick road, say (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSLID→
10A
"Take it ___ the top!" (4)
Starts with F, ends with MFROM→
14A
Choose (5)
Starts with E, ends with TELECT→
15A
"Je t'___" (4)
Starts with A, ends with EAIME→
16A
Double Dutch need (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROPE→
17A
Reaction to a ghost story, perhaps (10)
Starts with G, ends with SGOOSEBUMPS→
19A
"Oh, sure" (4)
Starts with I, ends with TIBET→
20A
"I've ___ nothing to hide" (3)
Starts with G, ends with TGOT→
21A
"Same here!" (5)
Starts with M, ends with OMETOO→
22A
How FreeCell is usually played (5)
Starts with A, ends with EALONE→
23A
Org. that regulates herbicides (3)
Starts with E, ends with AEPA→
24A
"What did I tell you?!" (3)
Starts with S, ends with ESEE→
25A
Place of respite (7)
Starts with S, ends with RSHELTER→
27A
Doormat residue, perhaps (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDIRT→
29A
Dress shorts fold (5)
Starts with P, ends with TPLEAT→
31A
Fourth-year students (Abbr.) (3)
Starts with S, ends with SSRS→
32A
www.tulane.___ (3)
Starts with E, ends with UEDU→
33A
___ Bo (3)
Starts with T, ends with ETAE→
34A
Some ICU workers (3)
Starts with R, ends with SRNS→
36A
Green veggies whose tips are often snapped off (11)
Starts with S, ends with SSTRINGBEANS→
40A
Home to the Dubai Fountain, for short (3)
Starts with U, ends with EUAE→
41A
Org. with Schedules A, B and C (3)
Starts with I, ends with SIRS→
42A
Prefix meaning "one" (3)
Starts with U, ends with IUNI→
44A
"when will u arrive?" (3)
Starts with E, ends with AETA→
47A
"Same here!" (5)
Starts with D, ends with ODITTO→
51A
Painted Desert state (7)
Starts with A, ends with AARIZONA→
53A
Currency in MN (3)
Starts with U, ends with DUSD→
56A
Transcript stat (3)
Starts with G, ends with AGPA→
57A
Fire engine feature (5)
Starts with S, ends with NSIREN→
58A
Alpine lake near Incline Village (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETAHOE→
60A
Shawn's best friend on "Psych" (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGUS→
61A
Maple tree inserts (4)
Starts with T, ends with STAPS→
62A
Informal surveys (10)
Starts with S, ends with SSTRAWPOLLS→
64A
Showbiz feat involving four awards (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEGOT→
65A
___ Ness monster (4)
Starts with L, ends with HLOCH→
66A
The things here (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETHESE→
67A
Burgundy and scarlet, e.g. (4)
Starts with R, ends with SREDS→
68A
"Play Dirty" star Salazar (4)
Starts with R, ends with AROSA→
69A
Garden tubes (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHOSES→
Down
1D
Sought a dog treat, say (6)
Starts with B, ends with DBEGGED→
2D
Fried pastry filled with potatoes (7)
Starts with A, ends with EALOOPIE→
3D
Outfits worn by Hezly Rivera (8)
Starts with L, ends with SLEOTARDS→
4D
Award show hosts (3)
Starts with M, ends with SMCS→
5D
Strawberry discards (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTEMS→
6D
Vessel used for deglazing (8)
Starts with S, ends with NSAUTEPAN→
7D
Ride booked by a concierge, perhaps (4)
Starts with L, ends with OLIMO→
8D
Be a bad guest, say (6)
Starts with I, ends with EIMPOSE→
9D
___ Moines Symphony (3)
Starts with D, ends with SDES→
10D
Unnecessary extra (5)
Starts with F, ends with LFRILL→
11D
Roombas, e.g. (6)
Starts with R, ends with SROBOTS→
12D
First game of the season (6)
Starts with O, ends with ROPENER→
13D
Long jump units (6)
Starts with M, ends with SMETERS→
18D
Insect that might have a pollen basket (3)
Starts with B, ends with EBEE→
22D
Cigna competitor (5)
Starts with A, ends with AAETNA→
26D
Long-eared hoppers (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHARES→
28D
Dance recital skirt (4)
Starts with T, ends with UTUTU→
30D
The real deal (5)
Starts with L, ends with TLEGIT→
33D
Bit of cross-promotion (5)
Starts with T, ends with NTIEIN→
35D
Deliberately ignore (4)
Starts with S, ends with BSNUB→
37D
Heaviest naturally occurring noble gas (5)
Starts with R, ends with NRADON→
38D
Kerfuffle (8)
Starts with B, ends with ABROUHAHA→
39D
Curls up with a sweetheart (8)
Starts with S, ends with SSNUGGLES→
43D
Sudden urge (7)
Starts with I, ends with EIMPULSE→
44D
Holiday with chocolate bunnies (6)
Starts with E, ends with REASTER→
45D
Prioritize by urgency (6)
Starts with T, ends with ETRIAGE→
46D
Certain earbud (6)
Starts with A, ends with DAIRPOD→
48D
Piece of body art (6)
Starts with T, ends with OTATTOO→
50D
Talks back to (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSASSES→
52D
Citrus scrapings (5)
Starts with Z, ends with SZESTS→
54D
Pig farm matriarch (3)
Starts with S, ends with WSOW→
55D
Pond measurement (5)
Starts with D, ends with HDEPTH→
59D
Shuttlecock paths (4)
Starts with A, ends with SARCS→
62D
Nikon F3, for one (3)
Starts with S, ends with RSLR→
63D
"Well, looky here!" (3)
Starts with O, ends with OOHO→
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 28, 2026?+
76 clues: 41 Across and 35 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Lip applications (BALMS); Went sideways on a slick road, say (SLID); "Take it ___ the top!" (FROM).
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.
