Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on crisp definitions, a fairy-tale reference, and one playful coinage. Settle in for a compact grid with lively crossings.
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: 1D is the trickiest clue because its skin-condition coinage is much less familiar than the surrounding vocabulary.
Gimme Clue: 6A is the clearest gimme, since expanding the abbreviation points directly to the missing term.
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. "Magic" items for Jack, in a classic fairy tale
Hint: For 1A, recall what Jack receives before the famous stalk rises into the sky. Five letters, starts with B.
6A. What the "A" stands for in A/V
Hint: For 6A, expand the first half of the familiar A/V abbreviation. Five letters, starts with A.
7A. Political ally who receives corrupt benefits
Hint: For 7A, think of a politically connected companion rewarded through favoritism. Five letters, starts with C.
8A. "Uh-uh"
Hint: For 8A, supply a casual spoken refusal with the same tone as the clue. Four letters, starts with N.
9A. Cutesy suffix with "best"
Hint: For 9A, finish the exaggerated, childlike form of “best.” Three letters, starts with E.
Down Hints
1D. Portmanteau for a skin problem under a T-shirt or bra strap
Hint: For 1D, blend the body area beneath a shirt with a familiar skin blemish. Five letters, starts with B.
2D. Continental currency units
Hint: For 2D, name the currency units used across much of continental Europe. Five letters, starts with E.
3D. "___, don't shop" (pet shelter slogan)
Hint: For 3D, complete the shelter slogan with the verb meaning to give an animal a permanent home. Five letters, starts with A.
4D. Highest number in sudoku
Hint: For 4D, enter the highest digit permitted in a standard sudoku grid. Four letters, starts with N.
5D. Veggie burger ingredient
Hint: For 5D, think of the legume-based ingredient frequently used for a meatless patty. Three letters, starts with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. "Magic" items for Jack, in a classic fairy tale
Answer: BEANS
6A. What the "A" stands for in A/V
Answer: AUDIO
7A. Political ally who receives corrupt benefits
Answer: CRONY
8A. "Uh-uh"
Answer: NOPE
9A. Cutesy suffix with "best"
Answer: EST
Down Answers
1D. Portmanteau for a skin problem under a T-shirt or bra strap
Answer: BACNE
2D. Continental currency units
Answer: EUROS
3D. "___, don't shop" (pet shelter slogan)
Answer: ADOPT
4D. Highest number in sudoku
Answer: NINE
5D. Veggie burger ingredient
Answer: SOY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: The defining pair is 1D, “Portmanteau for a skin problem under a T-shirt or bra strap,” with BACNE. It works because the coined term fuses the affected body area with the condition in one instantly understandable package.
Wordplay Winner: The wordplay winner is 9A, EST. Adding that suffix to “best” creates the deliberately cutesy superlative “bestest.”
Quick Fill: AUDIO at 6A is the fastest confident fill because the A/V abbreviation supplies it cleanly. Its crossings reinforce BACNE, EUROS, ADOPT, NINE, and SOY across the second row.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Expand standard abbreviations immediately when the clue invites it. Locking in AUDIO at 6A supplies a crossing for every Down entry and turns the second row into a strong scaffold.
When a portmanteau such as BACNE feels unfamiliar, trust the clue's two components and confirm the blend through crossings. Clear fills like BEANS and AUDIO provide enough support to commit.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid rewarded direct recall, then added a small jolt of novelty with BACNE. Its mix of clean abbreviations, compact trivia, and playful language made for a brisk, satisfying finish.
See you at the next grid.
