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 4, 2026.
USA TODAY Easy Crossword Answers for January 4, 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: Studies hard – CRAMS
6 Across: Fuse, as metal – WELD
10 Across: Sunset direction – WEST
14 Across: Complete chaos – HAVOC
15 Across: Sunburn soother from plants – ALOE
16 Across: “That’s very funny!” – HAHA
17 Across: Get out of bed – ARISE
18 Across: Cola or ginger ale – SODA
19 Across: Slanted typeface: Abbr. – ITAL
20 Across: Popular grilled fish – REDSNAPPER
22 Across: Narrate – TELL
23 Across: Ultimatum ender – ELSE
24 Across: Fair way to share – EVENLY
26 Across: Improvise – WINGIT
30 Across: Prepare, as tea – BREW
31 Across: Part of USA: Abbr. – AMER
32 Across: Apex – ACME
35 Across: Robber’s crime – THEFT
39 Across: Workbench clamp – VISE
40 Across: Kingdom – REALM
42 Across: Wheel shaft – AXLE
43 Across: Go inside – ENTER
45 Across: Aware of – ONTO
46 Across: Legal claim, as a mortgage – LIEN
47 Across: Constantly reminds – NAGS
49 Across: Tried to lose weight – DIETED
51 Across: Major ingredient in marinara sauce – TOMATO
54 Across: At that time – THEN
56 Across: Army truant: Abbr. – AWOL
57 Across: Large game fish – BLUEMARLIN
63 Across: Cozy – SNUG
64 Across: Tra __ (singing sounds) – LALA
65 Across: Filled with much liquid, as an orange – JUICY
66 Across: Fey of 30 Rock – TINA
67 Across: Wicked – EVIL
68 Across: Colorado ski resort – ASPEN
69 Across: Suffix for luncheon or kitchen – ETTE
70 Across: Military bugler’s tune – TAPS
71 Across: Untidy – MESSY
Down Answers: ⬇️
1 Down: Sear on a grill – CHAR
2 Down: Very hard to find – RARE
3 Down: Eager – AVID
4 Down: Rolling stone’s supposed lack – MOSS
5 Down: Start of a play’s act – SCENE
6 Down: Stinging insects – WASPS
7 Down: Marry secretly – ELOPE
8 Down: Rich vein of ore – LODE
9 Down: More beloved – DEARER
10 Down: Moby Dick, for one – WHITEWALE
11 Down: All finished, as a meal – EATEN
12 Down: Will definitely – SHALL
13 Down: Count (up) – TALLY
21 Down: Venue for wedding vows – ALTAR
25 Down: Doc for pets – VET
26 Down: What a surfer surfs on – WAVE
27 Down: “Sign me up!” – IMIN
28 Down: Bird’s dwelling – NEST
29 Down: Common seaweed – GREENALGAE
30 Down: Suspenders alternative – BELT
33 Down: Corp. bigwigs – CEOS
34 Down: Guy – MAN
36 Down: Leave a freeway – EXIT
37 Down: Escape in a hurry – FLEE
38 Down: __ bar (serve drinks) – TEND
41 Down: Cellphone’s data-transfer device – MODEM
44 Down: Long-tailed rodent – RAT
48 Down: Drinking glass with a stem – GOBLET
50 Down: Needing help urgently – INAJAM
51 Down: Sense of style – TASTE
52 Down: “Buy this now” ad phrase – OWNIT
53 Down: Everest or Ararat – MOUNT
54 Down: Dutch flower – TULIP
55 Down: Gets well – HEALS
58 Down: Volcanic flow – LAVA
59 Down: Deceptive scheme – RUSE
60 Down: “My __ are sealed” – LIPS
61 Down: Adds frosting to – ICES
62 Down: Envelope abbr. for Manhattan – NYNY
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?
Today’s USA Today Easy keeps things light and low stress, which is exactly the vibe this slot is supposed to deliver. The grid flows smoothly with friendly crossings, so you rarely hit a dead stop, and the cluing stays clean without trying to sneak in any gotcha moments. There is a nice balance between everyday language and a few playful twists that make you pause for half a beat without breaking momentum. 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.
A part-time gamer and a full-time Tech Writer. Abeer is a tech enthusiast who keeps track of all the trending gadgets and smartphones. When he isn't busy smashing words with his keyboard, you can find him playing the latest PC Games or binge-watching TV Shows.
