The Guardian Quick Crossword is the perfect daily dose of wordplay! Unlike its notoriously difficult Cryptic sibling, the Quick Crossword is definition-based and highly accessible, offering a snappy, satisfying challenge that’s great for a coffee break or a morning commute. We know how addictive this daily puzzle can be, so to help you out (or just confirm your brilliant solves!), here are the answers for today’s Guardian Quick Crossword for January 6, 2026 (Puzzle No. 17,369) .
Today’s Guardian Quick Crossword Answers for January 6, 2026
Let’s dive into the answers for the Guardian Quick Crossword for today.
1 Across: Carnival (4) – FETE
3 Across: Sentimental cheese (8) – SCHMALTZ
8 Across: Part (anag) (4) – RAPT
9 Across: Thriving place (4,4) – BOOMTOWN
11 Across: Device creating grid-like surface patterns (6,4) – WAFFLEIRON
14 Across: Crop stripper (6) – LOCUST
15 Across: Robin Hood’s missile holder? (6) – QUIVER
17 Across: Heavy shower (10) – CLOUDBURST
20 Across: Stretch (8) – ELONGATE
21 Across: Bartlett fruit? (4) – PEAR
22 Across: Crux (8) – KEYSTONE
23 Across: Hoodlum’s ‘award’? (4) – ASBO
1 Down: Blocking software (8) – FIREWALL
2 Down: Font family (8) – TYPEFACE
4 Down: Bikky by another name (6) – COOKIE
5 Down: Tosh (5-5) – MUMBOJUMBO
6 Down: Dosh (4) – LOOT
7 Down: Oddly amusing (4) – ZANY
10 Down: Torch (10) – FLASHLIGHT
12 Down: A voyage away? (8) – OVERSEAS
13 Down: Handel’s work? (8) – ORATORIO
16 Down: Ewe meat (6) – MUTTON
18 Down: Furniture wood (4) – TEAK
19 Down: Alluring (4) – FOXY
What do you think of today’s Guardian Quick Crossword puzzle? Were you able to guess all the answers?
This crossword had a lively, playful tone, drawing on festivals and celebrations, expressive emotional language, and a mix of everyday objects with witty reinterpretations. Several Across clues stood out for their humor and imagery, especially those that reworked familiar phrases or leaned into visual ideas like patterns, weather events, and classic folklore references. The grid balanced these longer, more descriptive entries with shorter, punchier ones rooted in common vocabulary, keeping the solve brisk. The Down clues added solidity with technology terms, typography, money slang, and straightforward definitions, providing helpful anchors throughout. Overall, it felt clever without being showy, offering a smooth and enjoyable solve with plenty of light “aha” moments. I’d rate the difficulty a comfortable 4.5 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
- USA Today Crossword Hints and Answers
- The New Yorker Crossword Answers
- The New Yorker Mini Crossword Answers
How to Play The Guardian Quick Crossword
Playing The Guardian Quick Crossword is simple, making it a great daily habit.
- The Goal: Fill in the full 15×15 grid with words that fit the clues, both Across and Down.
- The Clues: Unlike the main Cryptic puzzle, these clues are direct definitions or synonyms of the answer word. The number in parentheses at the end of the clue tells you the exact number of letters in the answer.
- The Grid Size: This is a full-sized crossword, meaning the words are longer than those in the Mini, giving you a substantial but still manageable puzzle.
- Intersections: The key to solving is using the intersecting letters. A letter you fill in for an “Across” word must also be the correct starting or middle letter for a “Down” word, and vice versa. This cross-referencing is your greatest solving tool.
- Daily Refresh: The puzzle refreshes daily on The Guardian’s website, so there’s always a new puzzle waiting.
