Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a lively mix of visual clues, crisp trivia, and playful definitions keeps the grid moving. Settle in for a compact solve with plenty of personality.
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: 7x7
Total Clues: 14 (7 Across, 7 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 7A is the trickiest clue because the quoted dance instructions require recognizing what comes next in the routine.
Gimme Clue: 4D is the clearest gimme, using a direct term for female sheep.
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. 24 cans of beer
Hint: Picture the standard package used to hold two dozen cans. Four letters, starts with C.
5A. ⬆ or ⬇
Hint: Both symbols point in a specific direction. Five letters, starts with A.
6A. Cold spike?
Hint: Think of a sharp formation created when dripping water freezes. Six letters, starts with I.
7A. Dance steps after "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!"
Hint: Continue the familiar dance routine after the two stomps. Seven letters, starts with C.
8A. Cybersecurity menace
Hint: This intruder gains unauthorized access to computer systems. Six letters, starts with H.
9A. Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, etc.
Hint: These schools belong to a famous northeastern athletic conference. Five letters, starts with I.
10A. "Cool!"
Hint: Use a brief approving reaction that can also mean tidy. Four letters, starts with N.
Down Hints
1D. A sport, or an insect
Hint: The same word names a bat-and-ball sport and a chirping insect. Seven letters, starts with C.
2D. Parts of the McDonald's logo
Hint: Focus on the curved shapes that form the fast-food chain's golden logo. Six letters, starts with A.
3D. Renewable energy option
Hint: This renewable option draws its power from sunlight. Five letters, starts with S.
4D. Female sheep
Hint: Use the plural term for adult female sheep. Four letters, starts with E.
5D. Thorny tree that's a favorite of giraffes
Hint: Name the thorny African tree whose leaves provide a lofty meal for giraffes. Six letters, starts with A.
6D. "___ my reasons ..."
Hint: Complete the phrase with a subject and a possession verb. Five letters, starts with I.
7D. Place for hair in "The Three Little Pigs"
Hint: Recall where the wolf threatens to find hair in the familiar story. Four letters, starts with C.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. 24 cans of beer
Answer: CASE
5A. ⬆ or ⬇
Answer: ARROW
6A. Cold spike?
Answer: ICICLE
7A. Dance steps after "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!"
Answer: CHACHAS
8A. Cybersecurity menace
Answer: HACKER
9A. Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, etc.
Answer: IVIES
10A. "Cool!"
Answer: NEAT
Down Answers
1D. A sport, or an insect
Answer: CRICKET
2D. Parts of the McDonald's logo
Answer: ARCHES
3D. Renewable energy option
Answer: SOLAR
4D. Female sheep
Answer: EWES
5D. Thorny tree that's a favorite of giraffes
Answer: ACACIA
6D. "___ my reasons ..."
Answer: IHAVE
7D. Place for hair in "The Three Little Pigs"
Answer: CHIN
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 7A, CHACHAS, defines today's playful spirit. The clue quotes the stomping instructions and asks solvers to supply the dance steps that follow.
Wordplay Winner: 6A, ICICLE, wins the wordplay prize. “Cold spike?” converts an ordinary frozen formation into a compact literal description, with the question mark signaling the playful angle.
Quick Fill: CASE at 1A is the fastest confident fill because 24 cans make a familiar retail unit. Its letters immediately anchor CRICKET, ARCHES, SOLAR, and EWES.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Convert concrete quantities and symbols immediately. CASE at 1A and ARROW at 5A provide clean crossing letters before the longer clues demand attention.
When a clue offers two definitions, test the shared word early. CRICKET satisfies both sport and insect, making it a powerful central anchor.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, balancing direct entries with a few sharp moments of recognition. CHACHAS supplied the most memorable payoff.
See you at the next grid.
