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 3, 2026.
USA TODAY Easy Crossword Answers for January 3, 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: Self-assurance – POISE
6. Across: Tex-Mex folded food – TACO
10. Across: Young male horse – COLT
14. Across: Made simpler – EASED
15. Across: Memo letters meaning “right now” – ASAP
16. Across: Region – AREA
17. Across: Be unselfish – SHARE
18. Across: Roster – LIST
19. Across: Performed in a choir – SANG
20. Across: Completely mistaken – OUTINLEFTFIELD
23. Across: Compass point opposite WNW – ESE
24. Across: Prince William, to King Charles – SON
25. Across: Vessels for cooking soup – POTS
28. Across: A pair of – TWO
31. Across: Remove the soap from – RINSE
35. Across: Wedding vow – IDO
36. Across: All __ (listening attentively) – EARS
38. Across: Backs of necks – NAPES
40. Across: “Build that somewhere else!” – NOTINMYBACKYARD
44. Across: Barely detectable amount – TRACE
45. Across: Window ledge – SILL
46. Across: American spy organization: Abbr. – CIA
47. Across: Got some shuteye – SLEPT
49. Across: Coffee alternative – TEA
50. Across: Computer whiz – GEEK
51. Across: Fireplace residue – ASH
53. Across: Masseuse’s workplace – SPA
55. Across: Something easy to do – AWALKINTHEPARK
63. Across: Perfume bottle – VIAL
64. Across: Threesome – TRIO
65. Across: Pine product in varnish – RESIN
66. Across: Outer boundary – EDGE
67. Across: Be a retailer in – SELL
68. Across: New Hampshire neighbor – MAINE
69. Across: Golf pegs – TEES
70. Across: On an even __ (well-balanced) – KEEL
71. Across: Amount bet – STAKE
Down Answers: ⬇️
1. Down: Mexican money – PESO
2. Down: Honolulu’s island – OAHU
3. Down: “Time __ a premium” – ISAT
4. Down: Any weekly TV show – SERIES
5. Down: Blissful places – EDENS
6. Down: Folk story – TALE
7. Down: “A likely story!” – ASIF
8. Down: Performing groups – CASTS
9. Down: Choose – OPTFOR
10. Down: Box for a violin – CASE
11. Down: Spoken aloud – ORAL
12. Down: Provide temporarily – LEND
13. Down: Luggage label – TAG
21. Down: “Don’t care what they do” – LETEM
22. Down: How contracts are signed – ININK
25. Down: Half a quart – PINT
26. Down: Aromas – ODORS
27. Down: Sum’s bottom line – TOTAL
29. Down: Methods – WAYS
30. Down: Satellite’s path – ORBIT
32. Down: Thumbs-down vote – NAY
33. Down: Sufficient room – SPACE
34. Down: Spine-tingling – EERIE
37. Down: Reduced-price event – SALE
39. Down: Mount Rushmore’s state: Abbr. – SDAK
41. Down: Figure-skating surface – ICE
42. Down: Himalayan nation – NEPAL
43. Down: Don’t go well together, as colors – CLASH
48. Down: Sounds of disapproval – TSKTSK
50. Down: Watch with amazement – GAPEAT
52. Down: New person on the payroll – HIREE
54. Down: Long-lasting hairdos, for short – PERMS
55. Down: Assistant – AIDE
56. Down: Hourly pay – WAGE
57. Down: Pub brews – ALES
58. Down: Egypt’s major river – NILE
59. Down: Turnpike charge – TOLL
60. Down: Japan’s continent – ASIA
61. Down: Hockey venue – RINK
62. Down: Midleg joint – KNEE
63. Down: Doggie doc – VET
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 delivers a smooth and welcoming solve, built around clear, fair clues and a grid that flows naturally from start to finish. The puzzle favors familiar phrases and everyday language, which keeps momentum high and minimizes frustration, especially in the longer entries that feel intuitive rather than forced. The balance between short fill and multi-word answers is handled well, creating a rhythm that rewards steady progress without relying on obscurity or heavy misdirection. Overall, it’s an enjoyable, confidence-boosting puzzle that feels thoughtfully constructed and ideal for a relaxed yet satisfying solve. I would rate it 4.5 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.
