Firing up the Washington Post’s daily crossword is a classic ritual, but it can be a real brain-bender. Whether you’re a seasoned solver or just getting started, some days the clues (and that tricky theme!) just don’t click. Since the WaPo daily can be tough sometimes, solving it can be quite a challenge. If you’ve found yourself stuck on a few answers, you’ve come to the right guide. Here are hints and answers for today’s Washington Post (LA Times) Daily crossword puzzle.
Note: The Washington Post and the LA Times share the same Daily Crossword every day, so you can play either.
Today’s Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Answers for January 12, 2026
Across Answers
- 1 Across: Awards such as Best Upset and Best Game – ESPYS
- 6 Across: Have a spoonful, say – TASTE
- 11 Across: “Tsk!” kin – TUT
- 14 Across: Fleece source – SHEEP
- 15 Across: Astronaut Ellen who was the first Latina director of the Johnson Space Center – OCHOA
- 16 Across: Activist Yoko – ONO
- 17 Across: 1980s Atari racing game – SUPERSPRINT
- 19 Across: Air passenger screening org. – TSA
- 20 Across: Future counselor’s maj. – PSYCH
- 21 Across: Hallucinations – VISIONS
- 23 Across: Salt Lake state – UTAH
- 25 Across: Black dialect, for short – AAVE
- 27 Across: “Doggone it!” – DRAT
- 28 Across: Tree goo – SAP
- 29 Across: Minimally invasive surgical procedure – ARTHROSCOPY
- 32 Across: Mop target – SPILL
- 34 Across: Old photo hue – SEPIA
- 35 Across: Amuses, as with anecdotes – REGALES
- 38 Across: Elementary school shoebox project – DIORAMA
- 42 Across: Actor Nick – NOLTE
- 44 Across: Calf’s suckling spot – UDDER
- 45 Across: Hall of Fame pitcher who threw four no-hitters for the Dodgers – SANDYKOUFAX
- 50 Across: Industrial tank – VAT
- 51 Across: __ vera gel – ALOE
- 52 Across: Front of a ship – PROW
- 53 Across: Like some high-fiber breakfast bars – OATY
- 54 Across: Snug apartments – STUDIOS
- 57 Across: Times New __ – ROMAN
- 59 Across: Give in to gravity – SAG
- 60 Across: Cylinder in the snack aisle – PRINGLESCAN
- 64 Across: Notable time – ERA
- 65 Across: Texas A&M athlete – AGGIE
- 66 Across: Cathedral city in Tuscany – SIENA
- 67 Across: Summer hrs. – DST
- 68 Across: Frowned-upon acts – DONTS
- 69 Across: Analyze, as ore – ASSAY
Down Answers
- 1 Down: Start to sneeze? – ESS
- 2 Down: Moo __ pork – SHU
- 3 Down: British cartoon character who loves muddy puddles – PEPPAPIG
- 4 Down: “Oof, that’s not good” – YEESH
- 5 Down: Quick and nimble – SPRY
- 6 Down: Monopoly token sported by the game’s mascot – TOPHAT
- 7 Down: Crossword dir. – ACR
- 8 Down: Shook with cold – SHIVERED
- 9 Down: Novelist Morrison – TONI
- 10 Down: Breaks bread – EATS
- 11 Down: Miyazaki’s “My Neighbor __” – TOTORO
- 12 Down: Open, as a onesie – UNSNAP
- 13 Down: Nice and warm – TOASTY
- 18 Down: Emotional wound – SCAR
- 22 Down: 19-Across request – IDCARD
- 23 Down: Spy-fi side – USSR
- 24 Down: See 26-Down – TAPE
- 26 Down: With 24-Down, outmoded media format – VHS
- 29 Down: Mixture of metals – ALLOY
- 30 Down: Nail salon brand – OPI
- 31 Down: __ City, Iowa – SIOUX
- 33 Down: Terse text sent while taxiing to the terminal – LANDED
- 36 Down: Large ruminant in the Rockies – ELK
- 37 Down: Octagon at an intersection – STOPSIGN
- 39 Down: Prepayments in some big book deals – ADVANCES
- 40 Down: Ravioli filling, sometimes – MEAT
- 41 Down: Highbrow – ARTY
- 43 Down: Benelux continent – EUR
- 45 Down: Got smart with – SASSED
- 46 Down: Sites for some rites – ALTARS
- 47 Down: Chewy candy – NOUGAT
- 48 Down: Blacksmiths’ workplaces – FORGES
- 49 Down: Mil. truant – AWOL
- 53 Down: Desert watering hole – OASIS
- 55 Down: AirPlay and AirDrop tablet – IPAD
- 56 Down: Challenging chem course – ORGO
- 58 Down: Phoenix suburb – MESA
- 61 Down: Petty peeve – NIT
- 62 Down: Actress de Armas – ANA
- 63 Down: Yea’s opposite – NAY
Click to reveal the solved crossword image
This puzzle masterfully balances technical vocabulary with pop culture, weaving together references to medical procedures, legendary sports figures, and modern tech acronyms. The clues are concise yet evocative, offering a satisfying mix of straightforward trivia and clever wordplay that caters to a wide range of knowledge. Structurally, the grid is impressively open, featuring long-span horizontal entries that act as a sturdy backbone for the surrounding intersections. This layout ensures a fluid solving experience, avoiding isolated corners and maintaining a steady momentum from top to bottom. I’d comfortably rate this crossword 4.5 out of 5.
You can also checkout today’s answers for other Crossword puzzles below:
How to Play Washington Post/LA Times Crossword Puzzle
You can play the daily crossword for free on the Washington Post’s website under their “Games” section.
- Choose a Clue: Click on any clue in the “Across” or “Down” lists.
- Enter Your Answer: The corresponding squares in the grid will be highlighted. Type your answer. The cursor will automatically move to the next square.
- Switch Directions: You can press the spacebar or click a square a second time to toggle between “Across” and “Down.”
- Check Your Work: You can press the “Check” or “Reveal” feature if you get truly stuck.
That’s it, folks, come back again tomorrow for a fresh set of answers.
