Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans into crisp wordplay, familiar phrases, and a light touch of trivia. Settle in for a compact grid with several satisfying connections.
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: 6A is the trickiest clue, since “support” points toward several plausible parts of speech before the corporate context narrows it.
Gimme Clue: 4D is the clearest gimme, with a direct family relationship implied by the clue.
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. Peering pair
Hint: Think of the matched organs used when you peer. Four letters, starts with E.
5A. "Hugs and kisses" sign-off
Hint: Picture the affectionate symbols written at the end of a casual note. Four letters, starts with X.
6A. Support, as for a corporate plan
Hint: Look for a term meaning collective support or acceptance of a corporate proposal. Five letters, starts with B.
7A. Words exchanged at the wedding altar
Hint: Think of the brief vows each partner says at the altar. Four letters, starts with I.
8A. Email sign-off
Hint: This concise closing wishes the recipient well. Four letters, starts with B.
Down Hints
1D. Give off strongly
Hint: Use a verb for radiating a quality with unmistakable force. Five letters, starts with E.
2D. Toys on strings
Hint: Picture the classic spool toy that travels away and returns along its string. Five letters, starts with Y.
3D. Be in the world
Hint: Seek the verb meaning to have being or be present in reality. Five letters, starts with E.
4D. Prince Archie, to Harry and Meghan
Hint: State Prince Archie’s family relationship to Harry and Meghan. Three letters, starts with S.
6D. Neckwear for a baby
Hint: Think of the protective cloth fastened around an infant’s neck during feeding. Three letters, starts with B.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Peering pair
Answer: EYES
5A. "Hugs and kisses" sign-off
Answer: XOXO
6A. Support, as for a corporate plan
Answer: BUYIN
7A. Words exchanged at the wedding altar
Answer: IDOS
8A. Email sign-off
Answer: BEST
Down Answers
1D. Give off strongly
Answer: EXUDE
2D. Toys on strings
Answer: YOYOS
3D. Be in the world
Answer: EXIST
4D. Prince Archie, to Harry and Meghan
Answer: SON
6D. Neckwear for a baby
Answer: BIB
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5A, “Hugs and kisses” sign-off, lands on XOXO. It defines the grid’s playful tone because the entry turns affection into a compact string of familiar symbols and echoes the closing language at 8A.
Wordplay Winner: 1A wins the wordplay prize with “Peering pair” for EYES. The clue compresses a literal definition into a neat, alliterative phrase.
Quick Fill: BIB is the fastest confident fill because the baby-neckwear clue is concrete. Its crossings with BUYIN, IDOS, and BEST lock down the grid’s left edge.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with concrete object clues such as BIB and YOYOS, then carry their crossing letters into the more abstract entries.
Notice repeated clue language across the grid. Linking the sign-offs XOXO and BEST gives both entries extra confirmation.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers kindly with direct objects and familiar expressions, while BUYIN supplied a useful patch of ambiguity. XOXO gave the finished puzzle its warmest flourish.
See you at the next grid.
