Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a mix of everyday clues, geography, and an abbreviation gives this grid its flavor. Come on in and see which crossing clicks first.
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 abbreviation asks you to unpack a familiar phrase before choosing the word that fits.
Gimme Clue: 5A is the gimme. Its highway clue points to something drivers see on signs.
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. Dogs and cats ... or less commonly, frogs and rats
Hint: Think of animals kept at home, including the less conventional examples in the clue. Four letters, starts with P.
5A. Highway off-ramp
Hint: Picture the signed turnoff that takes traffic away from a highway. Four letters, starts with E.
6A. Chance to hit a homer
Hint: In baseball, think of the batter's turn at the plate. Five letters, starts with A.
8A. Largest island of Greece
Hint: Look to the Greek island associated with the Minoan civilization. Five letters, starts with C.
9A. Strongly disliked
Hint: Find a past-tense verb for feeling intense aversion. Five letters, starts with H.
Down Hints
1D. Fruit on a Georgia license plate
Hint: Think of the fuzzy fruit associated with Georgia. Five letters, starts with P.
2D. The "E" of ESP
Hint: Expand the abbreviation for paranormal perception, then focus on the first part of its opening word. Five letters, starts with E.
3D. Region on the north side of Mount Everest
Hint: Look to the plateau region north of Mount Everest. Five letters, starts with T.
4D. Governor's responsibility
Hint: Think of the political territory a governor leads. Five letters, starts with S.
7D. Danson of "The Good Place"
Hint: Recall the actor who played Michael in The Good Place. Three letters, starts with T.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Dogs and cats ... or less commonly, frogs and rats
Answer: PETS
5A. Highway off-ramp
Answer: EXIT
6A. Chance to hit a homer
Answer: ATBAT
8A. Largest island of Greece
Answer: CRETE
9A. Strongly disliked
Answer: HATED
Down Answers
1D. Fruit on a Georgia license plate
Answer: PEACH
2D. The "E" of ESP
Answer: EXTRA
3D. Region on the north side of Mount Everest
Answer: TIBET
4D. Governor's responsibility
Answer: STATE
7D. Danson of "The Good Place"
Answer: TED
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, “Dogs and cats ... or less commonly, frogs and rats,” gives PETS a playful reach. The second pair makes you consider the full range of animals people keep at home.
Wordplay Winner: 2D wins with EXTRA. The clue asks for the E in ESP, so you have to break “extrasensory” into “extra” plus “sensory.”
Quick Fill: 5A, EXIT, is the fastest confident fill: “Highway off-ramp” points directly to it. It supplies crossings for PEACH, EXTRA, TIBET, and STATE.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Fill direct clues such as EXIT and ATBAT first, then use their crossings to tackle an abbreviation clue like EXTRA.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid rewards a quick start on familiar clues, then adds a small pause for EXTRA. PETS adds a playful touch up top.
See you at the next grid.
