Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and familiar references and playful wording share the spotlight, with a linked clue pair adding a little cohesion. Come on in and let the clearest clues get you moving.
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: 4D is the trickiest clue because a building-toy rival requires a specific brand, and the broad wording leaves room for competing guesses.
Gimme Clue: 6A is the clearest gimme, translating a familiar remote-control symbol directly into its function.
Theme Spotted: There is a light theme linking 1D and 2D through their shared clue reference.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Work benefit
Hint: 1A points to an extra advantage an employer offers beyond basic pay. Four letters, starts with P.
5A. Delay airing, as a news story
Hint: 5A wants an expression for holding a story back from release. Five letters, starts with S.
6A. ⏸, on a remote
Hint: 6A names the command that temporarily freezes playback so you can resume later. Five letters, starts with P.
7A. Back-of-book search feature
Hint: 7A directs you to an alphabetical list of subjects with page references. Five letters, starts with I.
8A. They get socked
Hint: 8A uses a clothing sense of its verb, so think about what gets covered when you dress your feet. Four letters, starts with T.
Down Hints
1D. Chopin's instrument
Hint: 1D calls for the keyboard instrument associated with Chopin's compositions. Five letters, starts with P.
2D. Chopin practice piece
Hint: 2D wants the French-derived musical term for a study that develops playing technique. Five letters, starts with E.
3D. Pinkish wines
Hint: 3D asks for the wine style between red and white, expressed in the plural. Five letters, starts with R.
4D. Lego competitor
Hint: 4D points to a construction-toy brand known for rods and connectors. Four letters, starts with K.
5D. ___ and polish
Hint: 5D completes an expression for meticulous cleaning and smart presentation. Four letters, starts with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Work benefit
Answer: PERK
5A. Delay airing, as a news story
Answer: SITON
6A. ⏸, on a remote
Answer: PAUSE
7A. Back-of-book search feature
Answer: INDEX
8A. They get socked
Answer: TOES
Down Answers
1D. Chopin's instrument
Answer: PIANO
2D. Chopin practice piece
Answer: ETUDE
3D. Pinkish wines
Answer: ROSES
4D. Lego competitor
Answer: KNEX
5D. ___ and polish
Answer: SPIT
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 2D, "Chopin practice piece," gives ETUDE and makes the link with PIANO at 1D click. The instrument and the technical study form a compact musical pairing.
Wordplay Winner: 8A, "They get socked," wins with TOES. The wording invites a punching interpretation before switching to the clothing that covers them.
Quick Fill: PAUSE at 6A is the fastest confident fill because the remote symbol gives a direct instruction. It crosses every Down entry, supplying letters for SPIT, PIANO, ETUDE, ROSES and KNEX.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Take direct definitions such as PAUSE and INDEX early, then use their crossing letters to test the more specialized ETUDE and KNEX. A firm letter pattern helps narrow a vocabulary or brand clue.
When a literal reading stalls, test an idiom or another meaning of the verb. SIT ON holds back a news story, while TOES turns getting socked into getting dressed.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The direct clues provide a foothold for the musical vocabulary and toy-brand recall. TOES supplies the best grin, rewarding a small shift in how you read the clue.
See you at the next grid.