The LA Times Crossword February 25, 2026 puzzle is a classic example of the Los Angeles Times’ balanced crossword style—clever without being unfair, modern without abandoning traditional crossword vocabulary. Published by the Los Angeles Times, this puzzle blends pop culture, general knowledge, and wordplay into a satisfying midweek challenge.
The standout feature of the 2/25/26 LA Times Crossword is its musical theme, spotlighting iconic singer-songwriters connected by a witty revealer inspired by a famous Beatles song. Whether you were stuck on a long Across entry, needed help with tricky Downs, or just want to understand the puzzle’s theme more clearly, this guide provides complete answers, explanations, and solving tips—all in one place.
Table of Contents
Full Answers — LA Times Crossword (Feb 25, 2026)
ACROSS
1A. Campbell’s container — CAN
4A. Sports complex — ARENA
10A. Air quality factor — SMOG
15A. The Jazz, on scoreboards — UTA
16A. Cuddly pooch — LAPDOG
17A. University of New Mexico athlete — LOBO
18A. “Because the Night” singer-songwriter — PATTISMITH
19A. Siberian city — OMSK
20A. Twitter — CHIRP
21A. Grumpy person — CRAB
22A. Fed. health law — ACA
23A. Dialect in some Black communities, for short — AAVE
24A. “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” singer-songwriter — PETESEEGER
25A. Tear sheet? — KLEENEX
26A. Flair — TALENT
27A. “Mars Attacks!” creatures, in brief — ETS
28A. Celtic priest of old — DRUID
29A. Son of Zeus — ARES
30A. “You Can Call Me Al” singer-songwriter — PAULSIMON
31A. Ralph Lauren brand — POLO
32A. Buff — TONED
33A. Sked abbr. — TBD
34A. Device for smoking shisha — HOOKAH
35A. On an elite level, informally — GODTIER
36A. “Poetry Man” singer-songwriter — PHOEBESNOW
37A. Wine category — REDS
38A. Jungfrau, for one — ALP
39A. Balm-yielding succulent — ALOE
40A. Small but powerful group — CADRE
41A. History — PAST
42A. Yale students — ELIS
43A. “Praying” insect — MANTIS
44A. Dawn goddess — EOS
45A. “___ and file.” — RANK
46A. Short-lived Ford model — EDSEL
47A. Private chats on soc. media — DMS
🧩 Theme revealer: Beatles hit on Please Please Me, which could be dedicated to 16-, 24-, 35-, and 50-Across — PSILOVEYOU (answer clue # not confirmed)
DOWN
1D. Treat baked in a fluted liner — CUPCAKE
2D. No longer moving — ATAHALT
3D. Longtime residents — NATIVES
4D. Some Energizers — AAS
5D. Turntable meas. — RPM
6D. Order — EDICT
7D. ___-Dame de Paris — NOTRE
8D. Shocked — AGHAST
9D. ___-mo replay — SLO
10D. Certain representative for a child actor, casually — MOMAGER
11D. More than indecent — OBSCENE
12D. Kids’ racers — GOKARTS
13D. Sass — LIP
14D. Cherry or lime — TREE
15D. Arthur in the Television Hall of Fame — BEA
16D. Lima’s country — PERU
17D. Jump for joy — EXULT
18D. Secret-protecting doc. — NDA
19D. Late start? — ISO
20D. Down Under canine — DINGO
21D. Jab — POKE
22D. ___ Mix cat food — MEOW
23D. “That’s strange.” — ODD
24D. Element of a basic reading test? — PHPAPER
25D. “How swanky!” — OOHLALA
26D. Keeps updated — LOOPSIN
27D. Like much Grateful Dead merch. — TIEDYED
28D. Double space? — BEDROOM
29D. “The Lorax” creator — DRSEUSS
30D. Legal org. — ABA
31D. “I could use a hand.” — HELPME
32D. Four-time NBA All-Star Young — TRAE
33D. “Deeply unfortunate.” — SOSAD
34D. Düsseldorf denials — NEINS
35D. Walgreens rival — CVS
36D. Disappointed cluck — TSK
37D. Cell service letters — LTE
38D. Part of EVOO — OIL
Puzzle Theme Explained (Important Detail)
- The theme revolves around legendary singer-songwriters such as Patti Smith, Pete Seeger, Paul Simon, and Phoebe Snow.
- These long Across answers are unified by the revealer “PS I LOVE YOU”, referencing the Beatles song.
- The idea is that the song title could be “dedicated” to each of these artists, creating a clever and culturally rich crossword concept.
Why this matters:
Understanding the theme early makes solving the longer Across clues much easier and helps unlock surrounding crossings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Is the LA Times Crossword February 25, 2026 hard?
It’s considered a medium-difficulty (midweek) puzzle. Most solvers find it approachable but still challenging enough to require careful thinking.
❓ What is the main theme of the 2/25/26 puzzle?
The theme focuses on famous singer-songwriters, tied together by the revealer PS I LOVE YOU, a Beatles song reference.
❓ Are all answers fair and standard crossword entries?
Yes. The puzzle uses a mix of:
- Common crossword abbreviations (RPM, TBD, ETS)
- Pop culture references
- Straightforward definitions
No obscure or unfair entries dominate the grid.
❓ Do I need music knowledge to solve it?
Basic familiarity helps, but crossings make the theme answers solvable even if you don’t recognize every artist immediately.
❓ Where can I play the official LA Times Crossword?
You can play it on the official Los Angeles Times Games section (online or app-based).
Things to Avoid While Solving
🚫 Overthinking Simple Clues
Some clues are intentionally straightforward. For example, everyday words like CAN, PAST, or ALOE don’t hide trick definitions.
🚫 Ignoring the Theme
Trying to brute-force long Across answers without understanding the singer-songwriter theme will slow you down significantly.
🚫 Misreading Abbreviations
Clues ending with “abbr.” or “for short” are clear signals—don’t write out full words where abbreviations are required.
🚫 Filling Without Cross-Checking
Even easy-looking answers should be verified using Down clues. This puzzle relies heavily on clean crossings.
Other Important Details & Solving Tips
- Start with the long Across entries once you spot the theme—they act as anchors for the grid.
- Fill short fill early (3–4 letter answers) to build momentum.
- Expect modern references mixed with classic crossword staples.
- The grid is symmetrical and clean, with no gimmicky rebus squares.
Why This Puzzle Stands Out
- Strong, coherent theme
- Well-known cultural references
- Fair cluing for both new and experienced solvers
- Smooth grid flow with minimal frustration
This makes the LA Times Crossword an enjoyable solve and a great example of why the LA Times remains one of the most respected daily crossword publishers.
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I am a content writer who specializes in crossword solutions. I enjoy breaking down clues, explaining answers clearly, and helping readers understand the logic and wordplay behind each puzzle. With a strong interest in language and patterns, I focus on delivering accurate, easy-to-follow explanations that make solving crosswords more enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
