Looking for the LA Times Crossword answers for February 26, 2026? You’re in the right place. This Thursday puzzle delivered a clever theme titled “Blue’s Clues”, tying together several long Across answers with references to different shades or meanings of “blue.”
Constructed by Rich Katz and edited by Patti Varol, the puzzle blends pop culture, wordplay, and subtle thematic connections that make Thursdays especially satisfying for regular solvers.
Table of Contents
LA Times Crossword Answers – February 26, 2026 (Thursday)
📌 Across Answers
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Former “Top Chef” host Lakshmi | PADMA |
| 6A | Imperfection | FLAW |
| 10A | Tennis champion Swiatek | IGA |
| 13A | Second calling? | ALIAS |
| 14A | Untimely? | LATE |
| 15A | Carpentry wedge | SHIM |
| 16A | See 33-Across | CLOCK FACES |
| 18A | “Educated” memoirist Westover | TARA |
| 19A | Creative inspiration | MUSE |
| 20A | “In __ of gifts … ” | LIEU |
| 21A | Coffees, casually | JAVAS |
| 22A | Branch | ARM |
| 23A | See 33-Across | CARD PLAYERS |
| 25A | Marcus partner | NEIMAN |
| 27A | __ baseball: esoteric knowledge | INSIDE |
| 28A | Dove bar | SOAP |
| 29A | Pacific resort, casually | CABO |
| 32A | “__ but a scratch” | ’TIS |
| 33A | Walk with one’s sweetie, and what 16-, 23-, 49-, and 58-Across do? | HOLD HANDS |
| 37A | General on a takeout menu | TSO |
| 40A | Financial services co. for mil. families | USAA |
| 41A | Checkout device | IPAD |
| 44A | Down counterpart | ACROSS |
| 47A | Margaret, first NYT crossword editor | FARRAR |
| 49A | See 33-Across | RANCH HOUSES |
| 53A | Molecule in some vaccines | RNA |
| 54A | “No fooling!” | TRUTH! |
| 55A | Mousetrap brand | D-CON |
| 56A | Supermodel Hadid | GIGI |
| 57A | Land measure | ACRE |
| 58A | See 33-Across | WOOL GLOVES |
| 60A | Take five | REST |
| 61A | Ponte Vecchio river | ARNO |
| 62A | “25” and “30” singer | ADELE |
| 63A | Afore | ERE |
| 64A | 403(b) IDs | SSNS |
| 65A | Early PC platform | MS-DOS |
📌 Down Answers
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Arcade classic with ghosts | PAC-MAN |
| 2D | Draws | ALLURES |
| 3D | “¡Ay, caramba!” | DIOS MIO! |
| 4D | Spice cookie spice | MACE |
| 5D | “Thought you’d never __” | ASK |
| 6D | 14-time WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte | FLAIR |
| 7D | Like most sneakers | LACED |
| 8D | Devoured | ATE UP |
| 9D | Bentley of “Yellowstone” | WES |
| 10D | “Found a solution!” | I HAVE IT! |
| 11D | Yankees manager after Torre | GIRARDI |
| 12D | Racks up | AMASSES |
| 15D | Hotel bookings | STAYS |
| 17D | Custard dessert similar to crème caramel | FLAN |
| 21D | First mo. | JAN |
| 23D | Guitar accessory | CAPO |
| 24D | Animal in the Premier League logo | LION |
| 26D | __-jongg | MAH |
| 29D | Pre-iTunes stack | CDS |
| 30D | Cry with a finger snap | AHA! |
| 31D | Response to Bo Peep | BAA! |
| 34D | Rich | LUSH |
| 35D | Semana parts | DIAS |
| 36D | Beautiful time of yr. at a botanical garden | SPR |
| 37D | Raw preparation | TARTARE |
| 38D | Harder to find | SCARCER |
| 39D | Hosp. caregiver during surgery | OR NURSE |
| 42D | Got somewhere | ARRIVED |
| 43D | Beverly of the “Vacation” films | D’ANGELO |
| 45D | Largish jazz combo | OCTET |
| 46D | “Quiet, you!” | SHH! |
| 47D | __ shui | FENG |
| 48D | Hikes | RAISES |
| 50D | Baking soda targets | ODORS |
| 51D | NCAA school with most WNBA first-round picks | UCONN |
| 52D | Pilots’ milestones | SOLOS |
| 56D | Mercury and Neptune | GODS |
| 58D | Once cost | WAS |
| 59D | Go on the __ | LAM |
Puzzle Overview – February 26, 2026
- Day: Thursday
- Difficulty Level: Medium to Challenging
- Theme: “Blue’s Clues”
- Constructor: Rich Katz
- Editor: Patti Varol
The reveal answer references Blue’s Clues, and the puzzle cleverly connects multiple entries that relate to variations or associations with the word “blue.”
Theme Explained – “Blue’s Clues”
The revealer clue points to the children’s show Blue’s Clues, hinting that several theme entries share a “blue” connection.
Examples of thematic connections include:
- Aqua (Aquaman reference)
- Sapphire (Bombay Sapphire)
- Navy (Village People’s hit)
- Azure/cloud reference
Instead of inserting the word “blue” directly into answers, the puzzle references different interpretations or synonyms associated with blue — a classic Thursday-style twist.
Key Highlights from the Puzzle
🔹 Notable Across Answers
- JASON MOMOA – Aquaman actor (Aqua connection)
- GIN AND TONIC – Often associated with Bombay Sapphire
- VILLAGE PEOPLE – “In the Navy” singers
- GOOGLE CLOUD – Competes with Azure
- BLUE’S CLUES – The reveal
🔹 Fun Fill & Short Entries
- MA’AM
- NEON
- TRAIN
- AMISS
- AAA
These shorter entries helped balance the longer theme answers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who constructed the February 26, 2026 LA Times Crossword?
The puzzle was created by Rich Katz.
2. Who edited this crossword?
It was edited by Patti Varol.
3. What was the theme of the puzzle?
The theme was “Blue’s Clues,” referencing different meanings and associations of the word “blue.”
4. Was this puzzle difficult?
As a Thursday puzzle, it falls into the medium-to-tricky range. Solvers typically encounter wordplay or indirect theme connections on Thursdays.
5. Where can I play the LA Times Crossword online?
You can play it on the official LA Times games section or through newspaper subscriptions.
6. What makes Thursday puzzles unique?
Thursday puzzles often feature:
- Rebus squares
- Wordplay twists
- Thematic gimmicks
- Indirect clue structures
Things to Avoid While Solving
❌ 1. Taking Clues Too Literally
Thursday puzzles frequently use misdirection. If a clue seems obvious, reconsider.
❌ 2. Ignoring the Theme
Once you discover the theme, it can unlock multiple long answers quickly.
❌ 3. Overthinking Short Answers
Short entries (3–4 letters) are usually straightforward. Don’t complicate them.
❌ 4. Skipping Cross Letters
Always confirm long answers using intersecting Down clues.
❌ 5. Filling Theme Answers Too Early
If unsure, pencil them in mentally. Let crosses confirm your logic.
Read More: LA Times Crossword Answers for February 25, 2026 (2/25/26)
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.
