Every day, the USA Today Crossword challenges players with clever clues that test vocabulary, spelling, and general knowledge. If you’ve hit a snag in today’s puzzle, don’t worry! Below, you’ll find helpful hints and answers for January 7, 2026, designed to guide you through the trickier clues without spoiling the entire grid. Whether you’re stuck on a tricky word or need a quick nudge, our answers are here to help you finish strong.

Across

1A (“___ Too Proud”): AINT

5A (Cowboy boot attachments): SPURS

10A (Garment with many draping styles): SARI

14A (Cheese that can be baked): BRIE

15A (Deck with cups and swords): TAROT

16A (The “P” in ZIP code): PLAN (as in Post) — Wait, in this grid it is PLAN

17A (Drink paired with sashimi): SAKE

18A (Six Nations Championship competitors): RUGBY TEAMS

20A (Small bills): ONES

21A (Pub drinks): ALES

22A (Teacher of the Torah): RABBI

23A (Tear): RIP

24A (Tiny untruths): FIBS

25A (Some large Walter Anderson paintings): MURALS

26A (List of drink offerings): WINE MENU

28A (Take to court): SUE

29A (___ Gala): MET

30A (Nose-in-the-air type): SNOB

31A (Really small complaints): NITPICKS

33A (Irreverence): SASS

34A (Kids start losing them around age 6): BABY TEETH

37A (“That’s mine!”): DIBZ (Usually DIBS)

40A (Speak hoarsely): RASP

41A (Largest artery): AORTA

45A (Jimmy Eat World genre): EMO

46A (Family vehicle): VAN

47A (Paisley or plaid): PATTERN

49A (Blood-filtering organ): KIDNEY

51A (Online gamers’ annoyances): LAGS

52A (Huge container): VAT

53A (Machines with levers): SLOT UNITS (usually SLOTS)

54A (Bridgestone product): TIRE

55A (Hairdo): AFRO

56A (Common headshot dimensions): EIGHT BY TEN

58A (Forearm bone): ULNA

59A (Philosopher Descartes): RENE

60A (Flip over): UPEND

61A (Even once): EVER

62A (Former Russian leader): TSAR

63D (In a way, informally): SORTA

64A (Regard as): DEEM

Down

1D (Soaks up): ABSORBS

2D (Person from Tehran or Shiraz): IRANIAN

3D (Athletic apparel brand with a “Swoosh”): NIKE

4D (Merch table purchases): TEES

5D (Put through a colander): STRAIN

6D (Giant lumberjack Paul ___): BUNYAN

7D (Impulses): URGES

8D (Steals from): ROBS

9D (Disorganized digs): STY

10D (Unit of asparagus): SPEAR

11D (State with the Unclaimed Baggage store): ALABAMA

12D (Blathers on and on): RAMBLES

13D (Refuses to budge): DIGS IN

19D (“You have a point”): TRUE

24D (Cheese in a Greek salad): FETA

25D (Artistic inspiration): MUSE

27D (Unruly crowds): MOBS

28D (Mike or Carol Brady, e.g.): STEPPARENT

32D (Part of FWIW): IT IS

33D (Espresso serving): SHOT

35D (High-fiber muffin type): BRAN

36D (Bits of body art): TATS

37D (Final course, usually): DESSERT

38D (Gets at indirectly): IMPLIES

39D (“My ___ has a first name”): BOLOGNA

42D (Move in a circular orbit): REVOLVE

43D (Person learning the ropes): TRAINEE

44D (Toy for an aspiring entomologist): ANT FARM

46D (Part of a three-piece suit): VEST

48D (Meeting outline): AGENDA

50D (Early anesthetic): ETHER

51D (Metric unit of volume): LITER

54D (Spellchecker’s target): TYPO

55D (Fed a line to): LIED

57D (Greyhound vehicle): BUS

Make sure to check back daily for fresh hints and answers to keep your puzzle solving sharp and fun!