No time to relax — today’s LA Times Crossword is here to test even the sharpest solvers. Whether you’re tackling the full-sized grid or squeezing in the Mini, February 28, 2026 brings a mix of clever wordplay, cultural references, and classic misdirection that makes Saturday puzzles especially rewarding.
For those who hit a tricky stretch or simply want to double-check their entries, this guide has everything covered. Below, you’ll find complete answers for both the LA Times Crossword and Mini Crossword, along with helpful FAQs, puzzle details, and common mistakes to avoid while solving. If you got stuck on a stubborn clue or just want to see how your grid compares, you’re in the right place.
LA Times Crossword Answers for February 28, 2026
Across
- Superdome player – SAINT
- Energy crisis? – BADVIBES
- Some belly buttons – INNIES
- Result of doomscrolling, perhaps – BRAINROT
- Perform precisely – DOTOAT
- Maintain one’s dignity – SAVEFACE
- Sanctions – ENABLES
- Had no defense? – GOTOPEN
- Buggy site – DUNE
- SEC-regulated events – IPOS
- Farm worker – ANT
- M-W alternative – OED
- Surname of both founders of the fashion label The Row – OLSEN
- Appears to point to – BODES
- Pan handler – OVENMITT
- Animal with a white rump – ELK
- “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” for one – ROMANTASYSERIES
- Apple product – OUE
- “You wanna fight!?” – COMEATME
- Composer with a namesake horn – SOUSA
- Ignored a scarecrow, perhaps – CAWED
- Take (down) – JOT
- Reactions to stubs – OWS
- Automaker Karl – BENZ
- Simple shelters – HUTS
- Left over, in a way – UNEATEN
- Pretend – ACTASIF
- Pico de gallo, e.g. – REDSALSA
- Short person? – DEBTOR
- Suddenly gave way – CRUMPLED
- Solution for wounds – SALINE
- Ingredient in carajillo and affogato – ESPRESSO
- En __ – MASSE
Down
- Something that might be right up one’s alley – SIDEDOOR
- Nochevieja follower – ANONUEVO
- As one – INTANDEM
- Weeping mother of Greek myth – NIOBE
- Charlotte Hornets color – TEAL
- Not-so-big shots – BBS
- Catalonia neighbor – ARAGON
- Swiss host of the World Economic Forum – DAVOS
- “The Sympathizer” Pulitzer winner __ Thanh Nguyen – VIET
- Skinny – INFO
- Push-up form? – BRAPAD
- Epoch whose name means “new dawn” – EOCENE
- Artery inserts – STENTS
- Office building subdivision, for short – STE
- Queen Latifah’s “Nature of a __” – SISTA
- Imaging technique – PETSCAN
- __ vincit amor – OMNIA
- Lo-cal – LITE
- Run – BLEED
- National vegetable of Pakistan – OCRA
- Quick outings? – NAPS
- “Hanna” star __ Creed-Miles – ESME
- “Holy cow!” – YOWZA
- Unsatisfying response to “why?” – ITJUSTIS
- Love and hate – EMOTIONS
- Releases – SETSFREE
- Point of origin – SOURCE
- People with good deeds to their names? – OWNERS
- Finished – USEDUP
- Perfumes during a rite – CENSES
- Quintet in Elizabeth Tower – BELLS
- “Se __ inglés” – HABLA
- Video genre that may cause chills, for short – ASMR
- Box closer – TAPE
- S&L options – CDS
- Bears, e.g. – TEAM
- Flap – ADO
How to Play
Players can solve the clues in any order. To begin entering an answer, they simply click on a clue or a box in the grid. Navigation is flexible — players can use the arrow keys, Enter/Shift+Enter, or Tab/Shift+Tab to move around the grid. Once a word has been completely filled in, its clue turns gray, regardless of whether the answer is correct.
Save
The puzzle automatically saves progress every 10 seconds. Players can also manually select Save from the navigation menu at any time.
Reveal
If players get stuck, they can use the Reveal options under the Assist menu at the top of the puzzle. There are three choices available:
- Reveal a single box
- Reveal an entire word
- Reveal the entire grid
Check
To confirm entries, players can use the Check options under Assist. They may verify:
- A single letter
- A full word
- The entire grid
Incorrect letters appear with a diagonal line through them until corrected.
Error Check Mode
For continuous feedback, players can enable Error Check Mode in the Settings menu at the top right. When activated, incorrect letters are immediately marked with a diagonal line.
Score
Scoring works as follows:
- Finding a word: 10 points
- Revealing an entire word: 0 points
- Revealing a letter: –1 point per letter
If the puzzle is completed correctly within the 15-minute target time, players earn 15 bonus points for every minute finished early.
Start Again
Selecting Start Again resets the entire grid. The puzzle returns to its empty state, and the timer resets to zero.
The Print menu allows players to print:
- The empty puzzle
- The grid with current progress
- The fully completed solution
Timer
The timer can be toggled on or off through the Settings menu.
Sound
Game sounds can be turned off in the Settings menu for those who prefer to solve the puzzle silently.
Play Together
Using the Play Together feature in the navigation bar, players can invite a friend to solve the puzzle collaboratively. Once connected:
- A green icon indicates both players are online
- A red icon signals an internet disconnection
- A gray icon shows inactivity
Both participants can enter letters simultaneously. A chat icon in the bottom right corner allows real-time conversation, and the chat window can be moved between the left and right sides of the screen.
Keyboard Shortcuts
In addition to standard navigation, players can use these keyboard shortcuts:
- Ctrl + Shift + H – Open “How to Play”
- Ctrl + R – Reveal word
- Ctrl + B – Reveal box
- Ctrl + G – Reveal grid
- Ctrl + C – Check word
- Ctrl + X – Check box
Screen Reader
Screen reader mode can be enabled in the Settings menu to have clues and answers read aloud.
Additional shortcuts include:
- Ctrl + Shift + V – Enable/disable screen reader
- Ctrl + Shift + R – Repeat current clue
- Ctrl + Shift + C – Read crossing clue
- Ctrl + Shift + B – Read current box
- Ctrl + T – Read elapsed time
- Press Ctrl – Stop speech
LA Times Crossword – Puzzle Details
- Publisher: Los Angeles Times
- Puzzle Type: Daily Crossword & Mini Crossword
- Difficulty Level:
- Monday–Wednesday: Easy to Moderate
- Thursday–Friday: Challenging
- Saturday: Most Difficult (Themeless or complex wordplay)
- Sunday: Larger grid, themed, medium difficulty
- Typical Grid Size:
- Weekday: 15×15
- Sunday: 21×21
- Mini Crossword: 5×5
- Editor: Patti Varol
- Platform: Available via web browser and mobile devices
- Features: Timer, Check/Reveal options, Play Together mode, scoring system, accessibility tools
Saturday puzzles, like February 28, 2026, are typically the toughest of the week and often feature clever wordplay, misdirection, and longer theme entries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What time does the LA Times Crossword reset?
The puzzle typically refreshes at midnight local time on the LA Times website.
2. Is the Saturday crossword harder than other days?
Yes. Saturday puzzles are usually the most challenging of the week, often featuring trickier clues and fewer straightforward definitions.
3. What is the difference between the Crossword and Mini Crossword?
The standard crossword is a 15×15 grid (larger on Sundays), while the Mini is a compact 5×5 grid designed for quicker solving.
4. Can players check answers while solving?
Yes. Players can use the Check feature to verify letters, words, or the entire grid. Incorrect letters are marked with a diagonal line.
5. Does revealing answers affect the score?
Yes. Revealing a letter deducts one point per letter, and revealing a full word awards zero points for that word.
6. Is there a time limit?
There is no strict time limit, but players earn bonus points for finishing within the 15-minute target time.
7. Can players solve the puzzle with friends?
Yes. The Play Together feature allows real-time collaborative solving and chat functionality.
8. Is progress saved automatically?
Yes. The puzzle auto-saves every 10 seconds, and manual saving is also available.
9. Can the puzzle be printed?
Yes. Players can print the empty grid, their current progress, or the completed solution.
10. Is the crossword mobile-friendly?
Yes. The puzzle works on both desktop and mobile browsers.
Things to Avoid While Solving
❌ 1. Overthinking Simple Clues
Sometimes the simplest answer is correct. Not every clue contains a trick.
❌ 2. Ignoring Cross Letters
Crossword solving is interconnected. Skipping crossings can slow progress significantly.
❌ 3. Relying Too Much on Reveal
Frequent reveals lower the score and reduce the satisfaction of solving organically.
❌ 4. Filling Without Confirmation
Guessing long theme answers without enough crosses can cause cascading mistakes.
❌ 5. Forgetting Wordplay Indicators
Clues may use puns, abbreviations, homophones, or double meanings. Paying attention to punctuation can help.
❌ 6. Leaving Easy Sections Blank
Starting with easier clues builds momentum and provides helpful crossing letters.
❌ 7. Ignoring Difficulty Patterns
Saturday puzzles are tougher by design. Expect clever misdirection and unconventional clue phrasing.
❌ 8. Solving Too Fast Without Review
Even experienced solvers benefit from quickly checking tricky sections before final submission.
Read More: LA Times Crossword Answers for February 26, 2026 (Complete solutions)
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.
