Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a linked sports clue and a pair of matching possession clues give the grid a playful rhythm. Come on in and let the crossings help.
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: 2D is the trickiest: its sleep-stage clue calls for a phrase that looks unusual when entered without spaces.
Gimme Clue: 4D is the gimme. Treadmills point straight to a familiar kind of exercise facility.
Theme Spotted: A linked sports phrase and paired possession clues.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. In shape
Hint: Think of how you would describe someone in good physical condition. Three letters, starts with F.
4A. With 8-Across, four runs in baseball or four major wins in tennis
Hint: The baseball and tennis examples share a sporting phrase. Enter its opening word here and finish it at 8A. Five letters, starts with G.
6A. Alternative to theirs
Hint: Look for the possessive pronoun that addresses the person you are speaking to. Five letters, starts with Y.
7A. Alternative to theirs
Hint: This repeated clue changes perspective. Now the speaker claims ownership. Four letters, starts with M.
8A. See 4-Across
Hint: Complete the sporting phrase begun at 4A. Its ending works for both the baseball and tennis examples. Four letters, starts with S.
Down Hints
1D. Counterpart of flora
Hint: Flora covers plant life. Look for the matching term for animal life. Five letters, starts with F.
2D. When dreams occur during sleep, for short
Hint: Think of the sleep stage named for rapid eye movements, then notice that the clue asks when dreams occur. Five letters, starts with I.
3D. Reasons for end zone celebrations: Abbr.
Hint: Which abbreviated scoring plays send a football team into the end zone? Three letters, starts with T.
4D. Facilities with treadmills
Hint: Where would you go to use a treadmill alongside other exercise equipment? Four letters, starts with G.
5D. Stir up, as waters
Hint: Picture water churned into turbulence. The clue wants the verb for causing that disturbance. Four letters, starts with R.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. In shape
Answer: FIT
4A. With 8-Across, four runs in baseball or four major wins in tennis
Answer: GRAND
6A. Alternative to theirs
Answer: YOURS
7A. Alternative to theirs
Answer: MINE
8A. See 4-Across
Answer: SLAM
Down Answers
1D. Counterpart of flora
Answer: FAUNA
2D. When dreams occur during sleep, for short
Answer: INREM
3D. Reasons for end zone celebrations: Abbr.
Answer: TDS
4D. Facilities with treadmills
Answer: GYMS
5D. Stir up, as waters
Answer: ROIL
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 4A and 8A make GRAND SLAM the defining pair. The phrase describes a bases-loaded home run in baseball and winning all four majors in tennis.
Wordplay Winner: The repeated “Alternative to theirs” wins the misdirection: 6A is YOURS, while 7A is MINE. The clue stays the same, but the speaker's point of view changes.
Quick Fill: 4D, GYMS, is the quickest confident fill because treadmills make the destination clear. It crosses GRAND, YOURS, MINE and SLAM, giving each of those Across entries an early foothold.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
When a clue points to another entry, solve the phrase as a unit. GRAND and SLAM become easier to place when the baseball and tennis examples work together.
For repeated clues, check whose perspective changes before committing either answer. That distinction separates YOURS from MINE here.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid offers a clear entry point, then rewards a closer look at perspective and phrasing. GRAND SLAM gives the finish its punch.
See you at the next grid.
