Looking for a fun way to boost your brainpower? The USA TODAY Crossword is your perfect daily fit! This puzzle offers a mix of modern clues and straightforward answers in a compact grid. Whether you’re a pro solver or just starting your crossword journey, we’re here to help you cross the finish line. Below are the clues and solutions for today’s USA TODAY Crossword for January 7, 2026.
Today’s USA TODAY Crossword Answers for January 7, 2026
Across Answers: ➡️
- 1 Across: “___ Too Proud” (jukebox musical about the Temptations) – AINT
- 5 Across: Cowboy boot attachments – SPURS
- 10 Across: Garment with many draping styles – SARI
- 14 Across: Cheese that can be baked – BRIE
- 15 Across: Deck with suits of cups and swords – TAROT
- 16 Across: The “P” in ZIP code – PLAN
- 17 Across: Drink paired with sashimi – SAKE
- 18 Across: Groups that compete in the Six Nations Championship – RUGBYTEAMS
- 20 Across: Small bills – ONES
- 21 Across: Pub drinks – ALES
- 22 Across: Teacher of the Torah – RABBI
- 23 Across: Tear – RIP
- 24 Across: Tiny untruths – FIBS
- 25 Across: Some large Walter Anderson paintings – MURALS
- 26 Across: List of drink offerings – BARMENU
- 28 Across: Take to court – SUE
- 29 Across: ___ Gala – MET
- 30 Across: Nose-in-the-air type – SNOOT
- 31 Across: Really small complaints – NITS
- 33 Across: Irreverence – SASS
- 34 Across: Kids start losing them around age 6 – BABYTEETH
- 37 Across: “That’s mine!” – DIBS
- 40 Across: Speak hoarsely – RASP
- 41 Across: Largest artery – AORTA
- 45 Across: Jimmy Eat World genre – EMO
- 46 Across: Family vehicle – VAN
- 47 Across: Paisley or plaid – PATTERN
- 49 Across: Blood-filtering organ – SPLEEN
- 51 Across: Online gamers’ annoyances – LAGS
- 52 Across: Huge container – VAT
- 53 Across: Machines with levers that are often decorative – SLOTS
- 54 Across: Bridgestone product – TIRE
- 55 Across: Hairdo – COIF
- 56 Across: Common headshot dimensions – EIGHTBYTEN
- 58 Across: Forearm bone – ULNA
- 59 Across: Philosopher Descartes – RENE
- 60 Across: Flip over – UPEND
- 61 Across: Even once – EVER
- 62 Across: Former Russian leader – TSAR
- 63 Across: In a way, informally – SORTA
- 64 Across: Regard as – DEEM
Down Answers: ⬇️
- 1 Down: Soaks up – ABSORBS
- 2 Down: Person from Tehran or Shiraz – IRANIAN
- 3 Down: Athletic apparel brand with a “Swoosh” logo – NIKEPRO
- 4 Down: Merch table purchases – TEES
- 5 Down: Put through a colander – STRAIN
- 6 Down: Giant lumberjack of American folklore – PAULBUNYAN
- 7 Down: Impulses – URGES
- 8 Down: Steals from – ROBS
- 9 Down: Disorganized digs – STY
- 10 Down: Unit of asparagus – SPEAR
- 11 Down: State with the Unclaimed Baggage store – ALABAMA
- 12 Down: Blathers on and on – RAMBLES
- 13 Down: Refuses to budge – INSISTS
- 19 Down: “You have a point” – TRUE
- 24 Down: Cheese in a Greek salad – FETA
- 25 Down: Artistic inspiration – MUSE
- 27 Down: Unruly crowds – MOBS
- 28 Down: Mike or Carol Brady, e.g. – STEPPARENT
- 32 Down: Part of FWIW – ITS
- 33 Down: Espresso serving – SHOT
- 35 Down: High-fiber muffin type – BRAN
- 36 Down: Bits of body art – TATS
- 37 Down: Final course, usually – DESSERT
- 38 Down: Gets at indirectly – IMPLIES
- 39 Down: “My ___ has a first name…” (classic ad jingle) – BOLOGNA
- 42 Down: Move in a circular orbit – REVOLVE
- 43 Down: Person learning the ropes – TRAINEE
- 44 Down: Toy for an aspiring entomologist – ANTFARM
- 46 Down: Part of a three-piece suit – VEST
- 48 Down: Meeting outline – AGENDA
- 50 Down: Early anesthetic – ETHER
- 51 Down: Metric unit of volume – LITER
- 54 Down: Spellchecker’s target – TYPO
- 55 Down: Fed a line to – CUED
- 57 Down: Greyhound vehicle – BUS
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How did you fare with today’s USA TODAY Crossword? Did you cruise to victory or get briefly stumped?
This crossword had a broad, crowd-pleasing mix of culture, cuisine, religion, sports, and everyday life, giving the grid an energetic and inclusive feel. The Across clues moved comfortably between musical theater, fashion, food and drink, education, and anatomy, with longer entries anchoring the puzzle around family life, childhood milestones, and organized competition. Shorter answers kept the pace brisk, often drawing on familiar expressions or common objects, while the Down clues expanded the scope with folklore, geography, advertising, and conversational language. The overall effect was a steady, satisfying solve that rewarded general knowledge and recognition rather than tricky wordplay. I’d rate the difficulty a comfortable 3.5 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
How to Play the USA TODAY Crossword
Playing the USA TODAY Crossword is hassle-free and lightning-fast.
- The Goal: The object is to completely fill the small grid with words that correctly answer the “Across” (horizontal) and “Down” (vertical) clues.
- The Clues: Use the list of clues provided for each direction.
- Word Length: The grid itself guides you on the length of the words. A correct letter in one direction will often give you a helpful starting letter for the intersecting word.
- Intersections: Look for those crossing points! Solving an easy “Across” clue can provide key letters that make a tougher “Down” clue suddenly click.
- Daily Refresh: A brand new USA TODAY Crossword is released every day, guaranteeing a fresh burst of puzzle fun daily.
