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 7, 2026 .
USA TODAY Easy Crossword Answers for January 7, 2026
1 Across: Ages upon ages of time – EONS
5 Across: Food on a cob – CORN
9 Across: Pictorial diagram – CHART
14 Across: Unruly kid – BRAT
15 Across: Black-and-white cookie – OREO
16 Across: Unsociable person – LONER
17 Across: Air Force outpost – BASE
18 Across: Scottish girl – LASS
19 Across: Perform better than – OUTDO
20 Across: Mild punishments – SLAPSONTHEWRIST
23 Across: Association: Abbr. – ORG
24 Across: Shoo-__ (sure things) – INS
25 Across: Not as brightly hued – PALER
29 Across: Refines, as a manuscript – EDITS
32 Across: CPR expert: Abbr. – EMT
35 Across: Insurance brokers – AGENTS
37 Across: Fireplace residue – ASH
38 Across: Sound from a cow – MOO
39 Across: Acknowledges applause – WAVESTOTHECROWD
43 Across: Gorilla or chimp – APE
44 Across: “__ you kidding?” – ARE
45 Across: Like films unsuitable for kids – RRATED
46 Across: Golf peg – TEE
47 Across: Lock of hair – TRESS
49 Across: __ board (manicurist’s tool) – EMERY
50 Across: “Steady as __ goes” – SHE
51 Across: Mind-reading ability: Abbr. – ESP
53 Across: Seals an agreement, perhaps – SHAKESONTHEDEAL
62 Across: Big marching-band instruments – TUBAS
63 Across: Out of danger – SAFE
64 Across: Campus near Hollywood: Abbr. – UCLA
65 Across: Fill with joy – ELATE
66 Across: Was untruthful – LIED
67 Across: Demonstrate – SHOW
68 Across: Strolls through a stream – WADES
69 Across: Spanish cheers – OLES
70 Across: Two-year-olds – TOTS
1 Down: Recedes, as the tide – EBBS
2 Down: Word-of-mouth – ORAL
3 Down: Cape Canaveral agency – NASA
4 Down: Rung of a ladder – STEP
5 Down: Draw with crayons – COLOR
6 Down: Citrus fruit from Florida – ORANGE
7 Down: Take a break – REST
8 Down: Small snack – NOSH
9 Down: Circus comedians – CLOWNS
10 Down: Fractions of a day – HOURS
11 Down: Prefix meaning “against” – ANTI
12 Down: Scarlet and crimson – REDS
13 Down: Jogging pace – TROT
21 Down: Separates into stacks – SORTS
22 Down: Any one of the two – EITHER
25 Down: Play with, like a kitten – PAWAT
26 Down: With wide-open mouth – AGAPE
27 Down: River’s flood barrier – LEVEE
28 Down: U-turn from WSW – ENE
30 Down: Goes out with – DATES
31 Down: Suffix meaning “not exactly” – ISH
32 Down: Be overly dramatic – EMOTE
33 Down: Lawn-cutting machine – MOWER
34 Down: “Hot” alcoholic winter drink – TODDY
36 Down: Gawks (at) – STARES
40 Down: Metallic rock – ORE
41 Down: French-style pancake – CREPE
42 Down: Lamb’s dad – RAM
47 Down: Grad school writings – THESES
48 Down: Fixed cost – SETFEE
50 Down: Ice hockey shoe – SKATE
52 Down: Buildings for storing tools – SHEDS
53 Down: Meat-and-potatoes meal – STEW
54 Down: Luau dance – HULA
55 Down: Having __ hair day – ABAD
56 Down: Norway’s capital – OSLO
57 Down: Hammer target – NAIL
58 Down: Wipe clean, as furniture – DUST
59 Down: Bounce back, as a sound – ECHO
60 Down: Very much – ALOT
61 Down: Police enforce them – LAWS
How did you fare with today’s USA TODAY Easy Crossword? Did you cruise to a speedy victory?
This crossword strikes a nice balance between clarity and mild cleverness, with many clues relying on familiar phrasing and everyday knowledge that keeps the solver moving steadily. Definitions rooted in common experiences—like food items, simple actions, and recognizable cultural references—help establish early traction, while the longer, phrase-based entries reward solvers who pay attention to wordplay and idiomatic hints. Several clues gently misdirect by sounding literal at first but resolving into conversational expressions once crossings appear, which adds interest without tipping into frustration. The grid supports this well, as the interlocking answers reinforce one another and reduce guesswork, making the overall solve feel fair, cohesive, and comfortably engaging rather than taxing. I would rate it 4 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 Answers
How to Play the USA TODAY Easy Crossword
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.
