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.

Washington Post/LA Times Daily Crossword Answers - 1

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

  • 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

  • 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

Washington Post/LA Times Daily Crossword Answers Today – January 12, 2026 - 2

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:

  • NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
  • LA Times Mini Crossword
  • USA Today Crossword Hints and Answers

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.

  1. Choose a Clue: Click on any clue in the “Across” or “Down” lists.
  2. Enter Your Answer: The corresponding squares in the grid will be highlighted. Type your answer. The cursor will automatically move to the next square.
  3. Switch Directions: You can press the spacebar or click a square a second time to toggle between “Across” and “Down.”
  4. 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.