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 8, 2026 .

USA Today Easy Crossword Answers - 1

USA TODAY Easy Crossword Answers for January 8, 2026

  • 1 Across: Junk email – SPAM

  • 5 Across: Top poker cards – ACES

  • 9 Across: Billiards bounce – CAROM

  • 14 Across: Roll of sticky cellophane – TAPE

  • 15 Across: Spicy Asian cuisine – THAI

  • 16 Across: Like very much – ADORE

  • 17 Across: Neck of the woods – AREA

  • 18 Across: Diplomacy – TACT

  • 19 Across: Gotten up – RISEN

  • 20 Across: Cordial statement – BESTWISHESTOYOU

  • 23 Across: Winter driving hazard – ICE

  • 24 Across: __ Angeles, CA – LOS

  • 25 Across: Desert caravan beasts – CAMELS

  • 29 Across: “No pain, no __” – GAIN

  • 31 Across: Crunchy sandwich, for short – BLT

  • 34 Across: Antitheft device – ALARM

  • 35 Across: Make a crease in – FOLD

  • 36 Across: Theater production – PLAY

  • 37 Across: Tanning parlor device – ULTAVIOLETLAMP

  • 40 Across: Gets the point – SEES

  • 41 Across: Responsibility – ONUS

  • 42 Across: Juliet’s love – ROMEO

  • 43 Across: Finish up – END

  • 44 Across: Mom’s sister – AUNT

  • 45 Across: Provides food for a party – CATERS

  • 46 Across: List-shortening abbr. – ETC

  • 47 Across: __ Baba – ALI

  • 48 Across: Annoys – RUBSTHEWRONGWAY

  • 57 Across: Extremely angry – IRATE

  • 58 Across: Vietnam neighbor – LAOS

  • 59 Across: “Yikes!” – OHNO

  • 60 Across: Fairy tale bullies – OGRES

  • 61 Across: Nonspeaking street performer – MIME

  • 62 Across: Christmas season – NOEL

  • 63 Across: Principle of faith – TENET

  • 64 Across: Head the cast – STAR

  • 65 Across: Stare awkwardly – GAWK

  • 1 Down: Wild guess – STAB

  • 2 Down: Remove, as a rind – PARE

  • 3 Down: Chimps and gorillas – APES

  • 4 Down: Pork or beef – MEAT

  • 5 Down: Housetop storage rooms – ATTICS

  • 6 Down: Pursue – CHASE

  • 7 Down: Per person – EACH

  • 8 Down: Locale – SITE

  • 9 Down: Cardboard milk container – CARTON

  • 10 Down: Mexican farewell – ADIOS

  • 11 Down: Optimistic – ROSY

  • 12 Down: Triple-decker cookie – OREO

  • 13 Down: Diner’s listing – MENU

  • 21 Down: Mrs. Flintstone – WILMA

  • 22 Down: Lose traction – SLIDE

  • 25 Down: Bring about – CAUSE

  • 26 Down: Colonial patriot Ethan – ALLEN

  • 27 Down: Defeated in chess – MATED

  • 28 Down: Makes a mistake – ERRS

  • 29 Down: Leave the house – GOOUT

  • 30 Down: “__ fair in love and war” – ALLS

  • 31 Down: Hold responsible – BLAME

  • 32 Down: Less plausible, as an excuse – LAMER

  • 33 Down: Mistakes in print – TYPOS

  • 35 Down: Huckleberry of fiction – FINN

  • 36 Down: Essence of a novel – PLOT

  • 38 Down: __ for (verify the qualifications of) – VOUCH

  • 39 Down: Railroad vehicle – TRAIN

  • 44 Down: Declare under oath – ATTEST

  • 45 Down: Not as far – CLOSER

  • 46 Down: Lauder of cosmetics – ESTEE

  • 47 Down: Fragrance – AROMA

  • 48 Down: Very funny person – RIOT

  • 49 Down: Strong craving – URGE

  • 50 Down: Building for cattle – BARN

  • 51 Down: Shade trees – ELMS

  • 52 Down: “Be patient” – WAIT

  • 53 Down: Bronze disk percussion instrument – GONG

  • 54 Down: Horse-stopping shout – WHOA

  • 55 Down: For a second time – ANEW

  • 56 Down: Center of an egg – YOLK

USA Today Easy Crossword Answers: January 8, 2026 - 2

How did you fare with today’s USA TODAY Easy Crossword? Did you cruise to a speedy victory?

The clues are largely direct and definition-based, relying on everyday vocabulary, well-known places, and common expressions rather than heavy wordplay. Several entries draw from food, family relations, travel, and casual speech, which keeps the tone light and familiar. Short, simple clue constructions pair well with longer, descriptive ones, creating variety without increasing difficulty. The grid supports this clarity by offering clean crossings that reinforce the intended answers and maintain an even solving pace. I would rate it 3.5 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 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.