The Guardian Quick Crossword is the perfect daily dose of wordplay! Unlike its notoriously difficult Cryptic sibling, the Quick Crossword is definition-based and highly accessible, offering a snappy, satisfying challenge that’s great for a coffee break or a morning commute. We know how addictive this daily puzzle can be, so to help you out (or just confirm your brilliant solves!), here are the answers for today’s Guardian Quick Crossword for January 5, 2026 (Puzzle No. 17,368).
Today’s Guardian Quick Crossword Answers for January 5, 2026
Let’s dive into the answers for the Guardian Quick Crossword for today.
Across Answers: ➡️
- 1 Across: Practice of employee keen to go home (5-8) – CLOCKWATCHING
- 8 Across: Do the doggy paddle, e.g. (4) – SWIM
- 9 Across: Boffin (8) – BRAINBOX
- 10 Across: Smuggled plunder? (10) – CONTRABAND
- 12 Across: Fertile (land) (6) – ARABLE
- 14 Across: Underwear item (6) – TIGHTS
- 15 Across: Horripilation (10) – GOOSEBUMPS
- 19 Across: Indian burner? (8) – VINDALOO
- 20 Across: Jiffy (4) – TICK
- 21 Across: According to custom (13) – TRADITIONALLY
Down Answers: ⬇️
- 2 Across: Legal chamber (3,5) – LAWCOURT
- 3 Down: Streaker? (5) – COMET
- 4 Down: Some HTML (3,4) – WEBPAGE
- 5 Down: Light-heartedly sung refrain (3-2) – TRALA
- 6 Down: Despondent (7) – HANGDOG
- 7 Down: Recess (4) – NOOK
- 11 Down: Italy cap (anag) (8) – ATYPICAL
- 13 Down: Capital on the Tigris (7) – BAGHDAD
- 14 Down: Quavering repetition of the same note, e.g. (7) – TREMOLO
- 16 Down: Baby bird of prey (5) – OWLET
- 17 Down: Far beyond the norm (5) – ULTRA
- 18 Down: Cake layer (4) – TIER
Click to reveal the answer image for today’s Guardian Quick Crossword
What do you think of today’s Guardian Quick Crossword puzzle? Were you able to guess all the answers?
The puzzle had a lively, characterful feel, with several Across clues leaning into everyday workplace habits, bodily reactions, and food-related humour, which gave the grid an engaging, down-to-earth tone. Longer entries provided strong anchors, particularly those built around common modern experiences and descriptive physical sensations, while shorter clues kept things moving with clear definitions and familiar vocabulary. The Down clues added variety through a mix of science, music, geography, and light wordplay, ensuring that the solve never felt one-note. Overall, the crossword balanced wit and accessibility well, offering a satisfying challenge without unnecessary obscurity. I’d rate the difficulty a comfortable 3 out of 5.
You can also check out today’s answers for other Crossword puzzles below:
- NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Hints and Answers
- LA Times Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- Washington Post Mini Meta Crossword
- Boston Globe Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- USA Today Crossword Hints and Answers
- The New Yorker Crossword Answers
- The New Yorker Mini Crossword Answers
How to Play The Guardian Quick Crossword
Playing The Guardian Quick Crossword is simple, making it a great daily habit.
- The Goal: Fill in the full 15×15 grid with words that fit the clues, both Across and Down.
- The Clues: Unlike the main Cryptic puzzle, these clues are direct definitions or synonyms of the answer word. The number in parentheses at the end of the clue tells you the exact number of letters in the answer.
- The Grid Size: This is a full-sized crossword, meaning the words are longer than those in the Mini, giving you a substantial but still manageable puzzle.
- Intersections: The key to solving is using the intersecting letters. A letter you fill in for an “Across” word must also be the correct starting or middle letter for a “Down” word, and vice versa. This cross-referencing is your greatest solving tool.
- Daily Refresh: The puzzle refreshes daily on The Guardian’s website, so there’s always a new puzzle waiting.
