Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and its everyday clues come with a playful twist, from parking to texting habits. Come on in and see which meanings click first.
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: 8A is the trickiest because it asks you to question whether a familiar texting reaction describes what the sender is doing.
Gimme Clue: 2D is the cleanest gimme, with a direct synonym clue and no extra interpretation needed.
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. Paradoxically, it might only have a little parking
Hint: 1A: Think of a designated space for parked cars, regardless of its capacity. Three letters, starts with L.
4A. Colorful fruit on a Thanksgiving table
Hint: 4A: Think of a hard-shelled seasonal decoration nestled into a Thanksgiving centerpiece. Five letters, starts with G.
6A. The Rock or Chris Rock
Hint: 6A: Look for a screen profession shared by the named entertainers. Five letters, starts with A.
7A. "It pains me to say ..."
Hint: 7A: Think of an adverb that introduces unwelcome news with regret. Five letters, starts with S.
8A. Text that's rarely true
Hint: 8A: Think of a shorthand reaction to something funny, even when the sender stays silent. Three letters, starts with L.
Down Hints
1D. Good person to ask for directions
Hint: 1D: A resident should know the surrounding streets. Five letters, starts with L.
2D. Perform better than
Hint: 2D: Think of a verb meaning to surpass a rival's performance. Five letters, starts with O.
3D. Deliberately try to make angry online
Hint: 3D: The aim is to provoke an angry response through deliberate online baiting. Five letters, starts with T.
4D. Road trip expense
Hint: 4D: Think of the purchase you make at a fuel pump. Three letters, starts with G.
5D. In need of a humidifier
Hint: 5D: Consider the condition of indoor air that lacks moisture. Three letters, starts with D.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Paradoxically, it might only have a little parking
Answer: LOT
4A. Colorful fruit on a Thanksgiving table
Answer: GOURD
6A. The Rock or Chris Rock
Answer: ACTOR
7A. "It pains me to say ..."
Answer: SADLY
8A. Text that's rarely true
Answer: LOL
Down Answers
1D. Good person to ask for directions
Answer: LOCAL
2D. Perform better than
Answer: OUTDO
3D. Deliberately try to make angry online
Answer: TROLL
4D. Road trip expense
Answer: GAS
5D. In need of a humidifier
Answer: DRY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, "Paradoxically, it might only have a little parking," makes LOT the standout. The joke turns on the difference between a parking area and the suggestion of abundance in "a lot."
Wordplay Winner: 8A, "Text that's rarely true," earns the wordplay nod with LOL. The clue treats a casual signal of amusement as a literal claim that the sender is laughing out loud.
Quick Fill: GAS at 4D is a confident opening fill because the road-trip expense points straight to fuel. It anchors the left edge through its crossings with GOURD, ACTOR and SADLY.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Use direct definitions such as OUTDO at 2D to establish crossings before tackling the conversational clues. Return to 8A with letters in place, then test the literal meaning behind the texting shorthand.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The straightforward vocabulary gives this grid a welcoming feel, while LOT and LOL supply the satisfying turns. A small shift in interpretation does the clever work.
See you at the next grid.