Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on crisp trivia, conversational phrasing, and one sharp double meaning. Settle in for a compact grid with satisfying crossings.
How The Mini Works
The Mini is a compact version of the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring a 5x5 grid with five Across and five Down clues. Saturdays expand to a larger grid with more clues. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime. No streak tracking here, but the built-in timer lets you compete against yourself or challenge friends.
New puzzles drop at 10 p.m. EST on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday's Mini arrives earlier at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 5x5
Total Clues: 10 (5 Across, 5 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 3D is the trickiest clue because its everyday surface points toward cargo, while the intended reading concerns money.
Gimme Clue: 7A is the clearest gimme, using a direct clue for a familiar Hawaiian greeting.
Theme Spotted: None today, straight trivia and wordplay.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Caitlin Clark's league, for short
Hint: Think of the abbreviated name of the professional league in which Caitlin Clark competes. Four letters, starts with W.
5A. Odysseus's hiding place when entering the city of Troy
Hint: Picture the mythic disguise that carried Odysseus inside Troy. Five letters, starts with H.
7A. Hawaiian "hi"
Hint: Use the Hawaiian greeting that can also serve as a farewell. Five letters, starts with A.
8A. Personal opinions, in modern parlance
Hint: Reach for modern slang meaning personal opinions or viewpoints. Five letters, starts with T.
9A. Where a nuthatch hatches
Hint: Picture the bird-built home where eggs are incubated and chicks emerge. Four letters, starts with N.
Down Hints
1D. "Come again?"
Hint: Supply a brief, puzzled request for someone to repeat a remark. Four letters, starts with W.
2D. Hall-of-Fame pitcher ___ Ryan
Hint: Think of the Hall of Fame pitcher Ryan, renowned for overpowering fastballs. Five letters, starts with N.
3D. Unloaded?
Hint: Read “unloaded” financially, not as removing cargo. Five letters, starts with B.
4D. What a phoenix rises from
Hint: Name the remains from which the mythic firebird is reborn. Five letters, starts with A.
6D. The "E" of NE
Hint: Expand the compass abbreviation and supply the direction represented by E. Four letters, starts with E.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Caitlin Clark's league, for short
Answer: WNBA
5A. Odysseus's hiding place when entering the city of Troy
Answer: HORSE
7A. Hawaiian "hi"
Answer: ALOHA
8A. Personal opinions, in modern parlance
Answer: TAKES
9A. Where a nuthatch hatches
Answer: NEST
Down Answers
1D. "Come again?"
Answer: WHAT
2D. Hall-of-Fame pitcher ___ Ryan
Answer: NOLAN
3D. Unloaded?
Answer: BROKE
4D. What a phoenix rises from
Answer: ASHES
6D. The "E" of NE
Answer: EAST
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5A, “Odysseus's hiding place when entering the city of Troy,” pairs perfectly with HORSE. The clue turns a famous episode from the Trojan War into a concrete hiding-place description.
Wordplay Winner: 3D wins the wordplay prize with “Unloaded?” for BROKE. The question mark redirects “loaded” from carrying cargo to possessing plenty of money, making its opposite a financial condition.
Quick Fill: ALOHA is the fastest confident fill because its direct clue gives firm crossing letters for WHAT, NOLAN, BROKE, ASHES, and EAST. That full middle row steadies every Down entry.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Enter direct vocabulary such as ALOHA and EAST before wrestling with punctuation-driven clues. ALOHA's crossings expose the intended senses of BROKE and WHAT.
When a clue ends with a question mark, test a figurative reading early. Here, treating “loaded” as wealthy leads cleanly to BROKE.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, pairing sturdy trivia with a compact burst of misdirection. BROKE supplies the memorable twist, while the central crossings keep the finish crisp.
See you at the next grid.
