Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a playful vocabulary mix puts everyday clues alongside entertainment trivia and a sneaky double meaning. Come on in and let the crossings guide you through the less obvious wording.
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 “doodle” invites you to picture a drawing. Try reading it as a type of animal instead.
Gimme Clue: 5D is the clearest gimme, with its Valentine's Day reference pointing straight to a classic romantic bloom.
Theme Spotted: 6A and 1D share an ending built around a doubled consonant.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Dot on a domino
Hint: Think of the small marking that contributes to a domino's value. Three letters, starts with P.
4A. Person you secretly like
Hint: The clue wants a casual term for someone who has caught your romantic attention. Five letters, starts with C.
6A. Like the taste of many I.P.A.s
Hint: Think of the brewing ingredient behind an IPA's characteristic bitterness and aroma. Five letters, starts with H.
7A. Awards named for a cable sports channel
Hint: Think of ESPN's ceremony celebrating athletic achievements. Five letters, starts with E.
8A. Tina of "Mean Girls"
Hint: Recall the comedian who wrote “Mean Girls” and played its math teacher. Three letters, starts with F.
Down Hints
1D. A little doodle, for example
Hint: Read “doodle” as a poodle mix, then let “little” suggest its stage of life. Five letters, starts with P.
2D. Game words before "… with my little eye"
Hint: Recall the opening phrase of the spotting game whose speaker chooses something visible nearby. Four letters, starts with I.
3D. The "P" of P.E.: Abbr.
Hint: Expand the gym-class initials, then abbreviate the word that describes activity involving the body. Four letters, starts with P.
4D. One who's skilled with a skillet
Hint: Think of the professional who directs the cooking in a restaurant kitchen. Four letters, starts with C.
5D. Valentine's Day flower
Hint: Picture the classic romantic bloom with fragrant petals and a thorny stem. Four letters, starts with R.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Dot on a domino
Answer: PIP
4A. Person you secretly like
Answer: CRUSH
6A. Like the taste of many I.P.A.s
Answer: HOPPY
7A. Awards named for a cable sports channel
Answer: ESPYS
8A. Tina of "Mean Girls"
Answer: FEY
Down Answers
1D. A little doodle, for example
Answer: PUPPY
2D. Game words before "… with my little eye"
Answer: ISPY
3D. The "P" of P.E.: Abbr.
Answer: PHYS
4D. One who's skilled with a skillet
Answer: CHEF
5D. Valentine's Day flower
Answer: ROSE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 6A, “Like the taste of many I.P.A.s,” gives HOPPY, a precise beer descriptor that also echoes the ending of PUPPY at 1D. That shared letter pattern gives the otherwise varied clue mix a satisfying connection.
Wordplay Winner: 1D wins the misdirection prize with “A little doodle, for example” and PUPPY. “Doodle” means a poodle mix here, while “little” points to a young dog, making the apparent sketch clue click into place.
Quick Fill: ROSE at 5D is the fastest confident fill thanks to its direct Valentine's Day cue. It supplies crossing letters for CRUSH, HOPPY, ESPYS and FEY, giving you a foothold across the left side.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Use direct clues such as ROSE and FEY to establish crossings before tackling an ambiguous noun. If “doodle” keeps suggesting a sketch, change the meaning you're testing and let the letters steer you toward PUPPY.
Match the form of your answer to the clue's signals. “Abbr.” calls for PHYS at 3D, while the plural “Awards” calls for ESPYS at 7A.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The direct clues give this grid a welcoming start, while PUPPY rewards a flexible reading of an ordinary word. It's a compact mix of recognition and a satisfying change of perspective.
See you at the next grid.
