Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a linked phrase, crisp trivia, and a sharp capitalization trick give the grid plenty of personality. Settle in and enjoy the mix.
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 its unusual capitalization is part of the wordplay, not a typo.
Gimme Clue: 3D is the easiest gimme, with a direct synonym clue that should come to mind immediately.
Theme Spotted: A familiar saying runs through several linked entries.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. With 8-Across and 1-Down, grow from your own mistakes
Hint: Think of the opening verb in the familiar expression about gaining wisdom through mistakes. Four letters, starts with L.
5A. Video game section
Hint: In a video game, this can mean a stage or section of play. Five letters, starts with L.
6A. Figure skating duos
Hint: Picture two figure skaters competing together as a unit. Five letters, starts with P.
7A. ___ Poupon (mustard brand)
Hint: Recall the word that comes before Poupon on the familiar mustard label. Four letters, starts with G.
8A. See 1-Across
Hint: This entry supplies the connector in the expression referenced by 1A. Three letters, starts with A.
Down Hints
1D. See 1-Across
Hint: Complete the familiar expression from 1A with the action that turns mistakes into wisdom. Five letters, starts with L.
2D. Like the outfield walls of Wrigley Field
Hint: Picture Wrigley Field's outfield walls covered in climbing greenery. Five letters, starts with I.
3D. Extremely
Hint: Use a common intensifier meaning extremely. Four letters, starts with V.
4D. Letters capitaLized in this cLue
Hint: Read only the conspicuously capitalized characters, then name them in the plural. Three letters, starts with E.
5D. Sports org. for Nelly Korda
Hint: Name the professional women's golf organization associated with Nelly Korda. Four letters, starts with L.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. With 8-Across and 1-Down, grow from your own mistakes
Answer: LIVE
5A. Video game section
Answer: LEVEL
6A. Figure skating duos
Answer: PAIRS
7A. ___ Poupon (mustard brand)
Answer: GREY
8A. See 1-Across
Answer: AND
Down Answers
1D. See 1-Across
Answer: LEARN
2D. Like the outfield walls of Wrigley Field
Answer: IVIED
3D. Extremely
Answer: VERY
4D. Letters capitaLized in this cLue
Answer: ELS
5D. Sports org. for Nelly Korda
Answer: LPGA
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, LIVE, combines with 8A, AND, and 1D, LEARN, to form LIVE AND LEARN. It defines the grid by turning one familiar saying into a compact chain of linked entries.
Wordplay Winner: 4D wins the wordplay prize with ELS. The capitalized L characters in the clue are read as multiple Ls, and the spoken letter names produce the fill.
Quick Fill: VERY at 3D is the fastest confident fill because "Extremely" points straight to it. Its crossings help confirm LIVE, LEVEL, PAIRS, and GREY.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Take direct synonym clues first. Dropping in VERY gives immediate support to four Across entries and reduces the work around the linked phrase.
When a clue's typography looks deliberately strange, inspect it literally. That approach unlocks ELS without needing every crossing.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, pairing accessible trivia with a satisfying linked phrase and one excellent visual trick in ELS.
See you at the next grid.
