Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a mix of food, geography, show business, and a playful shared trait gives the grid its spark. Come on in and see what clicks.
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: 5D is the trickiest clue because its examples seem unrelated until you find what they share.
Gimme Clue: 7A is the gimme: its direct food clue leaves little room for misdirection.
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. "Yes, I can come," "No, we're out of town," etc.
Hint: Think of the replies an invitation asks guests to send. Five letters, starts with R.
6A. Devoured entirely
Hint: Picture a meal with nothing left on the plate. Five letters, starts with A.
7A. Sweet tropical fruit
Hint: Think of a fragrant tropical fruit with golden flesh and a broad, flat pit. Five letters, starts with M.
8A. Group of eight
Hint: Look for the ensemble term that matches the group size in the clue. Five letters, starts with O.
9A. Short comedic performances
Hint: Picture brief comic scenes performed for an audience. Five letters, starts with S.
Down Hints
1D. Anthony ___, star of "Hamilton" and "In the Heights"
Hint: Recall the performer named in connection with both Hamilton and In the Heights. Five letters, starts with R.
2D. Pile of pancakes
Hint: Picture breakfast pancakes placed one on top of another. Five letters, starts with S.
3D. 20-ounce Starbucks size
Hint: Recall the coffee chain's name for the drink size specified in the clue. Five letters, starts with V.
4D. Seattle's ___ Sound
Hint: Complete the name of the body of water beside Seattle. Five letters, starts with P.
5D. What parking garages, ladybugs and dominoes all have
Hint: Look for something each example can have, whether it marks a place or appears as a dot. Five letters, starts with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. "Yes, I can come," "No, we're out of town," etc.
Answer: RSVPS
6A. Devoured entirely
Answer: ATEUP
7A. Sweet tropical fruit
Answer: MANGO
8A. Group of eight
Answer: OCTET
9A. Short comedic performances
Answer: SKITS
Down Answers
1D. Anthony ___, star of "Hamilton" and "In the Heights"
Answer: RAMOS
2D. Pile of pancakes
Answer: STACK
3D. 20-ounce Starbucks size
Answer: VENTI
4D. Seattle's ___ Sound
Answer: PUGET
5D. What parking garages, ladybugs and dominoes all have
Answer: SPOTS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5D, “What parking garages, ladybugs and dominoes all have,” lands on SPOTS. A garage has parking spots, while ladybugs and dominoes have visible spots, giving the clue its satisfying switch in meaning.
Wordplay Winner: SPOTS at 5D wins the wordplay prize: the clue moves from parking places to dots while keeping the same answer.
Quick Fill: MANGO at 7A is the fastest confident fill. Its direct fruit clue gives you a foothold across RAMOS, STACK, VENTI, PUGET, and SPOTS.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with a direct clue like MANGO, then use its crossings to test the less immediate Down clues.
When a clue lists unrelated examples, as 5D does, look for a word that fits each one, even if its meaning shifts between them.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The direct Across clues keep this grid welcoming, and SPOTS gives it a neat final twist.
See you at the next grid.
