Looking for a quick and fun way to boost your brainpower? The USA TODAY Easy Crossword is your perfect daily fit! This puzzle is designed to be accessible and solvable, offering straightforward clues and answers in a compact grid. Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking for a relaxing solve, we’re here to help you cross the finish line. Below are the clues and solutions for today’s USA TODAY Easy Crossword for January 2, 2026.
USA TODAY Easy Crossword Answers for January 2, 2026
Across Answers: ➡️
1 Across: Dalmatian’s marking – SPOT
5 Across: Something true – FACT
9 Across: How drivers get to work – BYCAR
14 Across: Volcanic rock – LAVA
15 Across: Aroma – ODOR
16 Across: Walk out the door – LEAVE
17 Across: Gorillas and chimps – APES
18 Across: Capital of Italy – ROME
19 Across: Cook’s coverup garment – APRON
20 Across: Vault-opening criminals – BANKROBBERS
23 Across: A pair of – TWO
24 Across: U-turn from WSW – ENE
25 Across: “Saturated” nutrients – FATS
27 Across: Group helping the sheriff – POSSE
30 Across: Dad’s boy – SON
31 Across: British baby buggy – PRAM
35 Across: Flood barrier – LEVEE
36 Across: Rainbow shape – ARC
37 Across: Rabbit relative – HARE
38 Across: High-tech criminals – IDENTITYTHIEVES
42 Across: Scratches up – MARS
43 Across: Informal refusal – NAH
44 Across: Gown, for example – DRESS
45 Across: Female singing voice – ALTO
46 Across: 551, in Roman numerals – DLI
47 Across: Shorthand expert – STENO
48 Across: Train track – RAIL
50 Across: IRS expert: Abbr. – CPA
51 Across: __ for (choose) – OPT
54 Across: Wall-climbing criminals – CATBURGLARS
60 Across: Place to wear a watch – WRIST
62 Across: “I cannot tell __” – ALIE
63 Across: Neck of the woods – AREA
64 Across: Spooky – EERIE
65 Across: __ Star State (Texas) – LONE
66 Across: Influence unfairly – BIAS
67 Across: Pay out – SPEND
68 Across: Omelet ingredients – EGGS
69 Across: Maple-syrup source – SAPS
1 Across: Resell tickets illegally:- SCALP
6 Across: Lower leg:- SHIN
10 Across: Attention-getting sound:- PSST
14 Across: Sahara caravan beast:- CAMEL
15 Across: Musical postscript:- CODA
16 Across: Leaf-gathering tool:- RAKE
17 Across: Disparage:- ABASE
18 Across: Sandwich breads:- RYES
19 Across: B __ “boy”:- ASIN
20 Across: Macaroni/mayo concoction:- PASTASALAD
22 Across: “Winning __ everything”:- ISNT
23 Across: Snow queen in Frozen:- ELSA
24 Across: Chimp or orangutan:- APE
25 Across: Taj Mahal city:- AGRA
27 Across: Fort Worth coll.:- TCU
29 Across: Underground water source:- AQUIFER
32 Across: Assistant to Santa:- ELF
35 Across: Source of some kitchen tears:- ONION
38 Across: Courage:- NERVE
39 Across: Hairstyling goo:- GEL
40 Across: Fruits “split” with ice cream:- BANANAS
42 Across: Feel poorly:- AIL
43 Across: Walking __ (elated):- ONAIR
45 Across: Latte foam:- FROTH
46 Across: Cunning:- SLY
47 Across: Choir member:- SOPRANO
49 Across: Popeye’s girlfriend:- OYL
51 Across: Kid around with:- JOSH
52 Across: Point at a target:- AIM
54 Across: Make simpler:- EASE
58 Across: Intend (to):- MEAN
60 Across: Slow-cooker meat servings:- LAMBSHANKS
63 Across: Curved lines:- ARCS
64 Across: Yale students:- ELIS
65 Across: Outer boundaries:- EDGES
66 Across: Large shark:- MAKO
67 Across: Repetitive learning:- ROTE
68 Across: In between ports:- ATSEA
69 Across: Special interest grp.:- ASSN
70 Across: Gotten a look at:- SEEN
71 Across: Eccentric:- DOTTY
Down Answers: ⬇️
1 Down: Painter’s suffix for land or sea:- SCAPE
2 Down: Secret plot:- CABAL
3 Down: Accumulate:- AMASS
4 Down: Anne Rice vampire:- LESTAT
5 Down: “Not guilty,” for one:- PLEA
6 Down: Small piece of paper:- SCRAP
7 Down: Card-game authority:- HOYLE
8 Down: Notion:- IDEA
9 Down: Stock exchange for many tech firms:- NASDAQ
10 Down: Treeless plain:- PRAIRIE
11 Down: Gumbo seasoning source:- SASSAFRAS
12 Down: 40-Across covering:- SKIN
13 Down: Camping shelter:- TENT
21 Down: Steam room:- SAUNA
26 Down: Very hesitant:- GUNSHY
28 Down: Snake charmers’ snakes:- COBRAS
29 Down: Part of AD:- ANNO
30 Down: Wicked:- EVIL
31 Down: Depend (on):- RELY
32 Down: Self-images:- EGOS
33 Down: Former Tonight Show host:- LENO
34 Down: Pancakes, slangily:- FLAPJACKS
36 Down: Helpful facts, for short:- INFO
37 Down: Rowing implement:- OAR
41 Down: Parts of a molecule:- ATOMS
44 Down: Attaches, as some patches:- IRONSON
48 Down: Stanley Cup contenders:- NHLERS
50 Down: Result in:- LEADTO
52 Down: Just slightly:- AMITE
53 Down: Norwegian playwright Henrik:- IBSEN
55 Down: Uneasy feeling:- ANGST
56 Down: Clay pigeon sport:- SKEET
57 Down: Short prose piece:- ESSAY
58 Down: Baby’s first word, perhaps:- MAMA
59 Down: Historical periods:- ERAS
61 Down: Burn-soothing plant:- ALOE
62 Down: One cabbage:- HEAD
Click here to reveal the solved crossword image
How did you fare with today’s USA TODAY Easy Crossword? Did you cruise to a speedy victory?
This crossword is a well-balanced, solver-friendly puzzle with clean fill and approachable cluing that makes it enjoyable without feeling trivial. The grid flows nicely, with plenty of familiar entries that keep momentum going, while a handful of playful or slightly trickier clues add just enough challenge to stay engaging. Crossings feel fair throughout, and the theme (where present) is light and accessible, making it especially suitable for casual or early-week solvers. Overall, it’s a smooth, satisfying solve that prioritizes clarity and fun over gimmicks. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5.
You can also check out today’s answers for other Crossword puzzles below:
Playing the USA TODAY Easy Crossword is hassle-free and lightning-fast.
The Goal: The object is to completely fill the 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 Easy Crossword is released every day, guaranteeing a fresh burst of puzzle fun.
Aditya Dogra is a content writer at TechWiser with a keen interest in technology and digital trends. He enjoys creating clear, engaging, and easy-to-understand content for a wide range of readers. His work focuses on delivering practical information in a concise and reader-friendly manner. Aditya believes in the importance of accuracy and clarity in digital content. He is always eager to learn and adapt to new topics in the fast-changing tech space. Through his writing, he aims to help readers stay informed and make better use of technology in everyday life.
