USA Today Crossword hints and answers for September 8, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
DayTuesday
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
Restaurant bills (4)
Starts with T, ends with STABS→
5A
Nat King ___ (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECOLE→
9A
"Grand" musical instrument (5)
Starts with P, ends with OPIANO→
14A
No more than (4)
Starts with O, ends with YONLY→
15A
Furniture chain known for its mazelike layout (4)
Starts with I, ends with AIKEA→
16A
Stand in an art studio (5)
Starts with E, ends with LEASEL→
17A
Japanese noodle (4)
Starts with U, ends with NUDON→
18A
Pieces of skin art, for short (4)
Starts with T, ends with STATS→
19A
Completely lost (5)
Starts with A, ends with AATSEA→
20A
Aldi or Ralphs, e.g. (12)
Starts with G, ends with EGROCERYSTORE→
23A
Skirt edge (3)
Starts with H, ends with MHEM→
24A
Move around in a hasty fashion (4)
Starts with R, ends with HRUSH→
25A
Sounds from mice? (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCLICKS→
29A
Third-person pronoun (3)
Starts with H, ends with SHIS→
30A
Breakfast morsel that might be steel-cut (3)
Starts with O, ends with TOAT→
32A
"I Want It ___ Way" (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTHAT→
33A
H.S. course that covers politics (5)
Starts with A, ends with VAPGOV→
36A
Big shopping trip (5)
Starts with S, ends with ESPREE→
38A
Distinct period in history (3)
Starts with E, ends with AERA→
39A
"Consider this perspective for a moment" (15)
Starts with T, ends with YTRYTOSEEITMYWAY→
42A
Paving goo (3)
Starts with T, ends with RTAR→
43A
City near Phoenix (4)
Starts with M, ends with AMESA→
44A
Kicks out of office (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOUSTS→
45A
Famous ___ cookies (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAMOS→
47A
Hullabaloo (3)
Starts with A, ends with OADO→
48A
Asset for a pitcher (3)
Starts with A, ends with MARM→
49A
Chicken ___ (cheesy entree) (4)
Starts with P, ends with MPARM→
51A
Baggage screening org. (3)
Starts with T, ends with ATSA→
52A
Word before "drop" or after "open" (3)
Starts with M, ends with CMIC→
55A
Public address after a W (13)
Starts with V, ends with HVICTORYSPEECH→
58A
Bunch of bees (5)
Starts with S, ends with MSWARM→
60A
"Uh-uh" (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENOPE→
61A
"Blink Twice" actress Shawkat (4)
Starts with A, ends with AALIA→
62A
Spirit in a bottle (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGENIE→
63A
Nights before big days (4)
Starts with E, ends with SEVES→
64A
City that aptly rhymes with "casino" (4)
Starts with R, ends with ORENO→
65A
Diagnostic procedures (5)
Starts with T, ends with STESTS→
66A
"For" votes (4)
Starts with Y, ends with SYEAS→
67A
Staying power (4)
Starts with L, ends with SLEGS→
Down
1D
Difficult (5)
Starts with T, ends with HTOUGH→
2D
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" actor Braugher (5)
Starts with A, ends with EANDRE→
3D
Blossom into a flower (5)
Starts with B, ends with MBLOOM→
4D
Align, like devices (4)
Starts with S, ends with CSYNC→
5D
Pomelo or grapefruit, e.g. (6)
Starts with C, ends with SCITRUS→
6D
Gives the green light to (5)
Starts with O, ends with SOKAYS→
7D
"We'll keep our fingers crossed" (10)
Starts with L, ends with OLETSHOPESO→
8D
Toward the rising sun (4)
Starts with E, ends with TEAST→
9D
Mr. Krabs' daughter in "SpongeBob SquarePants" (5)
Starts with P, ends with LPEARL→
10D
Possible response to "What happened to the last slice?" (6)
Starts with I, ends with TIATEIT→
11D
Braying animal (3)
Starts with A, ends with SASS→
12D
Formerly named (3)
Starts with N, ends with ENEE→
13D
Portuguese for "hello" (3)
Starts with O, ends with AOLA→
21D
"Wicked" star Cynthia (5)
Starts with E, ends with OERIVO→
22D
Eight-piece group (5)
Starts with O, ends with TOCTET→
26D
Enjoys some taffy (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCHEWS→
27D
Gold purity unit (5)
Starts with K, ends with TKARAT→
28D
Doesn't head out (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSTAYS→
29D
Like things that are trendy or spicy (3)
Starts with H, ends with THOT→
31D
Solo for a prima donna (4)
Starts with A, ends with AARIA→
33D
Palindromic flour (4)
Starts with A, ends with AATTA→
34D
Baby buggy in Britain (4)
Starts with P, ends with MPRAM→
35D
Greek sandwich often served with tzatziki (4)
Starts with G, ends with OGYRO→
36D
Startup capital (9)
Starts with S, ends with YSEEDMONEY→
37D
Hybrid music genre (6)
Starts with E, ends with PEMORAP→
40D
Intelligent (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSMART→
41D
"So tasty!" (3)
Starts with Y, ends with MYUM→
46D
Morale (6)
Starts with S, ends with TSPIRIT→
48D
Evaluate (6)
Starts with A, ends with SASSESS→
51D
Competitive personality (5)
Starts with T, ends with ATYPEA→
52D
Messy brawl (5)
Starts with M, ends with EMELEE→
53D
Cake coating (5)
Starts with I, ends with GICING→
54D
Absolute mayhem (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCHAOS→
55D
Vehicles that move? (4)
Starts with V, ends with SVANS→
56D
Wander (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROVE→
57D
British noble title (4)
Starts with E, ends with LEARL→
58D
Cpl.'s boss (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSGT→
59D
Itsy-bitsy (3)
Starts with W, ends with EWEE→
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 8, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down.
What are some answers in today’s USA Today Crossword?+
For example: Restaurant bills (TABS); Nat King ___ (COLE); "Grand" musical instrument (PIANO).
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.
