Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a wry literary quote and playful entertainment clue give the grid its spark. Come on in and let the familiar clues lead you through.
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: 17 (10 Across, 7 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 5D is the toughest stop, since it asks for a resort island's familiar nickname rather than its formal name.
Gimme Clue: 12A offers a clean foothold, with a concrete basketball clue that points directly to the hardware mounted on the backboard.
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. "A book which people praise and don't read," per Mark Twain
Hint: Think of a revered literary work that earns more respect than actual readers. Seven letters, starts with C.
8A. Cheese used in lasagna
Hint: Think of the soft, mild cheese spooned between layers of pasta and sauce. Seven letters, starts with R.
9A. Two hours of free drinks at a wedding, say
Hint: The hosts cover the drinks bill, so guests can leave their wallets tucked away. Seven letters, starts with O.
10A. Swanky event in a gallery
Hint: Picture a formal celebration surrounded by paintings and sculptures. Seven letters, starts with A.
11A. Uncle, in Spanish
Hint: Use the Spanish family term for a parent's brother. Three letters, starts with T.
12A. Basketball net holder
Hint: Think of the metal circle from which the net hangs. Three letters, starts with R.
13A. B&B relative
Hint: Look for a cozy lodging establishment rather than a family member. Three letters, starts with I.
14A. ___ kwon do
Hint: Complete the name of the Korean martial art known for its kicks. Three letters, starts with T.
15A. Number shown on a dating profile
Hint: Think of the personal detail that changes on your birthday. Three letters, starts with A.
16A. Show that The Weeknd has performed on, aptly enough
Hint: Think of the late-night sketch comedy show's initials, with a broadcast night that suits the performer's name. Three letters, starts with S.
Down Hints
1D. Zagreb's country
Hint: Look across the Adriatic from the boot-shaped peninsula to the country whose capital is Zagreb. Seven letters, starts with C.
2D. Piercing seen while puckering
Hint: Picture a small hoop worn at the edge of the mouth. Seven letters, starts with L.
3D. Chemical ingredient in nail polish remover
Hint: Think of the solvent that dissolves the polish coating on your nails. Seven letters, starts with A.
4D. Karaoke choice
Hint: Choose the musical piece you will sing into the microphone. Four letters, starts with S.
5D. Caribbean resort island for the ultrawealthy, familiarly
Hint: Think of the shortened name of French-speaking Saint Barthélemy. Seven letters, starts with S.
6D. Like antipasti, manicotti and gelati
Hint: The foods point to the same national cuisine, and their spellings offer a linguistic clue too. Seven letters, starts with I.
7D. Gooey part of a Snickers bar
Hint: Think of the sticky cooked-sugar layer alongside the peanuts and nougat. Seven letters, starts with C.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
---
---
---
---
---
Across Answers
1A. "A book which people praise and don't read," per Mark Twain
Answer: CLASSIC
8A. Cheese used in lasagna
Answer: RICOTTA
9A. Two hours of free drinks at a wedding, say
Answer: OPENBAR
10A. Swanky event in a gallery
Answer: ARTGALA
11A. Uncle, in Spanish
Answer: TIO
12A. Basketball net holder
Answer: RIM
13A. B&B relative
Answer: INN
14A. ___ kwon do
Answer: TAE
15A. Number shown on a dating profile
Answer: AGE
16A. Show that The Weeknd has performed on, aptly enough
Answer: SNL
Down Answers
1D. Zagreb's country
Answer: CROATIA
2D. Piercing seen while puckering
Answer: LIPRING
3D. Chemical ingredient in nail polish remover
Answer: ACETONE
4D. Karaoke choice
Answer: SONG
5D. Caribbean resort island for the ultrawealthy, familiarly
Answer: STBARTS
6D. Like antipasti, manicotti and gelati
Answer: ITALIAN
7D. Gooey part of a Snickers bar
Answer: CARAMEL
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A pairs Mark Twain's jab about books that earn praise without readers with CLASSIC. The answer works as a literary label, while the quote turns that respectable label into a sharp little joke.
Wordplay Winner: 16A's SNL gets its wink from The Weeknd's name. The clue points to his performance credit, then makes the show's Saturday broadcast feel especially apt.
Quick Fill: 12A's RIM is the cleanest confident fill, translating basketball hardware directly into the grid. It supplies the R in STBARTS, the I in ITALIAN and the M in CARAMEL, giving the lower-right corner useful support.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Use direct fills such as RICOTTA and ACETONE to build momentum before tackling the less familiar STBARTS. Precise food and chemistry clues give quick early answers, so the place name can wait until more of the grid is filled.
Treat words such as "familiarly" and "aptly enough" as instructions worth noticing. They flag the nickname in STBARTS and the extra joke behind SNL, helping you identify the form of answer the clue wants.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The direct food and sports clues give this grid welcoming footholds, while STBARTS adds a tougher recall test. CLASSIC supplies the best parting smile, a literary answer with a joke already built in.
See you at the next grid.
