Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a playful fish clue adds a twist to a grid of familiar expressions and straightforward trivia. Settle in and use the clearest clues to get your foothold.
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: 1A is the trickiest clue because it asks you to connect a freshwater fish with wording that suggests plumpness.
Gimme Clue: 4D is the clearest gimme, a direct prompt for a familiar place to sit outdoors.
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. Fat-sounding freshwater fish
Hint: 1A nudges you toward a fish whose name brings plumpness to mind. Four letters, starts with C.
5A. "What a headache!"
Hint: 5A calls for a Yiddish expression of exasperation, the sort of thing you say with a sigh. Five letters, starts with O.
7A. Jules who wrote "Around the World in 80 Days"
Hint: 7A points to the French novelist behind the globe-trotting adventure. Five letters, starts with V.
8A. Put into effect, as a law
Hint: 8A wants the legislative verb for making a proposed measure law. Five letters, starts with E.
9A. Give a friendly greeting
Hint: 9A asks for a casual spoken greeting, phrased as an action. Five letters, starts with S.
Down Hints
1D. Sheltered inlets
Hint: 1D describes coastal recesses where the surrounding land offers protection from exposed water. Five letters, starts with C.
2D. African carnivore known for its laugh
Hint: 2D points to a predator whose distinctive calls resemble human laughter. Five letters, starts with H.
3D. Bit of light that sunscreen protects against, for short
Hint: 3D wants a shortened term for a sunburn-causing component of sunlight. Five letters, starts with U.
4D. Park seating
Hint: 4D asks for a shared outdoor seat, often positioned beside a path. Five letters, starts with B.
6D. Snowy mountain version of Bigfoot
Hint: 6D points to a legendary shaggy creature associated with the Himalayas. Four letters, starts with Y.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Fat-sounding freshwater fish
Answer: CHUB
5A. "What a headache!"
Answer: OYVEY
7A. Jules who wrote "Around the World in 80 Days"
Answer: VERNE
8A. Put into effect, as a law
Answer: ENACT
9A. Give a friendly greeting
Answer: SAYHI
Down Answers
1D. Sheltered inlets
Answer: COVES
2D. African carnivore known for its laugh
Answer: HYENA
3D. Bit of light that sunscreen protects against, for short
Answer: UVRAY
4D. Park seating
Answer: BENCH
6D. Snowy mountain version of Bigfoot
Answer: YETI
Show the solved Mini grid
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, "Fat-sounding freshwater fish," gives CHUB the grid's standout moment. The name evokes “chubby,” so the playful wording helps steer you toward the fish.
Wordplay Winner: 5A, "What a headache!", earns a nod for OYVEY. The quoted complaint asks for an equivalent expression of frustration, steering you away from a literal ailment.
Quick Fill: BENCH at 4D is the quickest confident foothold because "Park seating" points directly to it. It crosses CHUB, OYVEY, VERNE, ENACT and SAYHI, giving you a check in every Across answer.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Use direct definitions such as BENCH and HYENA to establish crossings before tackling CHUB's playful wording. For conversational clues like 5A, imagine saying the complaint aloud, then look for an expression with the same tone.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The direct clues give this grid a welcoming feel, while CHUB supplies a satisfying little snag. It's a neat reminder to listen to a clue's wording as closely as you read its definition.
See you at the next grid.