Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and everyday objects and conversational clues give the grid a relaxed feel, with a little historical trivia mixed in. Pull up a chair and give the clues a go.
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: 2D is the trickiest clue because a spoken expression of agreement leaves room for competing spellings until the crossings settle it.
Gimme Clue: 4D is the clearest gimme, with a concrete printing material and a direct definition.
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. Finger covering after eating Cheetos
Hint: Think of the orange seasoning residue left on your fingertips after that cheesy snack. Four letters, starts with D.
5A. "That's amazing!"
Hint: Imagine the spontaneous exclamation you make when something impresses you. Five letters, starts with O.
7A. First country to use paper money, way back in the 7th century
Hint: Look to East Asia for the country behind this early currency innovation. Five letters, starts with C.
8A. Extremely, extra, very
Hint: Think of a casual intensifier you could put before excited or tired. Five letters, starts with S.
9A. Where "You Are," on a mall map
Hint: The map marker identifies your current location, rather than your destination. Four letters, starts with H.
Down Hints
1D. Google ___
Hint: Think of Google's word-processing app for writing and editing shared documents. Four letters, starts with D.
2D. "Yup, yup, yup"
Hint: Say an informal affirmative aloud, as if nodding along with someone. Five letters, starts with U.
3D. Dating app action
Hint: Think of the sideways finger gesture used to accept or reject a profile. Five letters, starts with S.
4D. Printer powder
Hint: Think of the dry cartridge material used in laser printing. Five letters, starts with T.
6D. Suffix with silver or glass
Hint: The same ending turns both materials into words for household articles. Four letters, starts with W.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Finger covering after eating Cheetos
Answer: DUST
5A. "That's amazing!"
Answer: OHWOW
7A. First country to use paper money, way back in the 7th century
Answer: CHINA
8A. Extremely, extra, very
Answer: SUPER
9A. Where "You Are," on a mall map
Answer: HERE
Down Answers
1D. Google ___
Answer: DOCS
2D. "Yup, yup, yup"
Answer: UHHUH
3D. Dating app action
Answer: SWIPE
4D. Printer powder
Answer: TONER
6D. Suffix with silver or glass
Answer: WARE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, "Finger covering after eating Cheetos," gives DUST a vivid everyday setting. The orange residue makes an ordinary word feel specific and instantly recognizable.
Wordplay Winner: 9A, "Where 'You Are,' on a mall map," wins with HERE. The quotation marks steer you toward the familiar map label, and the answer completes its message.
Quick Fill: 4D's TONER is the fastest confident fill because "Printer powder" points directly to the material. It crosses DUST, OHWOW, CHINA, SUPER and HERE, giving every Across entry a foothold.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Fill concrete definitions such as TONER before committing to conversational answers such as OHWOW and UHHUH. Crossings help pin down the written form of something you recognize by sound.
For a suffix clue, test the same ending against every supplied word. WARE works with both silver and glass, giving you a useful check before entering it.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid rewards everyday recognition while asking for precision with spoken expressions. DUST supplies the memorable image, a small snack-time detail that makes the solve feel lively.
See you at the next grid.
