Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and playful clues mix visual observation, geography, and a rock lyric. Come on in and give the question-mark clue a little extra attention.
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 its quoted reaction leaves you to distinguish exasperation from admiration, then translate that tone into texting shorthand.
Gimme Clue: 6A is the clearest gimme, a direct geography clue asking which country contains Milan.
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. Harmless lie
Hint: Think of a small untruth told without malicious intent. Three letters, starts with F.
4A. Hard guy to find in a crowd?
Hint: Picture the striped-shirt character concealed in densely illustrated search-and-find books. Five letters, starts with W.
6A. Milan's land
Hint: Think of the boot-shaped European country whose capital is Rome. Five letters, starts with I.
7A. Facial features missing from most emojis
Hint: Compare a simple smiley with a real face, focusing between the eyes and mouth. Five letters, starts with N.
8A. Texter's "Wow ... just wow"
Hint: Read the reaction as disappointed disbelief, then imagine the accompanying head movement. Three letters, starts with S.
Down Hints
1D. News ___
Hint: Complete the expression for a sudden bulletin announcing a breaking development. Five letters, starts with F.
2D. Not doing anything
Hint: Think of a machine running without performing useful work. Four letters, starts with I.
3D. They're "back in town," in a 1970s rock hit
Hint: Recall the returning group celebrated in Thin Lizzy's familiar rock refrain. Four letters, starts with B.
4D. Comes in first
Hint: Use the present-tense verb for finishing ahead of the competition. Four letters, starts with W.
5D. Tiny thing to split
Hint: Think nuclear physics and the tiny unit associated with fission. Four letters, starts with A.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Harmless lie
Answer: FIB
4A. Hard guy to find in a crowd?
Answer: WALDO
6A. Milan's land
Answer: ITALY
7A. Facial features missing from most emojis
Answer: NOSES
8A. Texter's "Wow ... just wow"
Answer: SMH
Down Answers
1D. News ___
Answer: FLASH
2D. Not doing anything
Answer: IDLE
3D. They're "back in town," in a 1970s rock hit
Answer: BOYS
4D. Comes in first
Answer: WINS
5D. Tiny thing to split
Answer: ATOM
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 7A, "Facial features missing from most emojis," makes NOSES the standout answer. It turns an easily overlooked detail of familiar digital faces into a satisfying recognition moment.
Wordplay Winner: 4A, "Hard guy to find in a crowd?", earns the wordplay nod with WALDO. The question mark turns a general description into a reference to a character whose entire premise is being difficult to spot.
Quick Fill: FIB is a confident opening fill for "Harmless lie." It supplies the opening letters of FLASH, IDLE, and BOYS, giving the upper-right corner immediate traction.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Use direct clues such as "Milan's land" to establish letters before tackling tone-dependent shorthand. For SMH, read "Wow ... just wow" as exasperation and connect it to a physical gesture.
Treat a question mark as a cue to look for a playful reference. WALDO rewards that approach, while "News ___" calls for completing a familiar expression with FLASH.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid balances direct footholds with small recognition tests. NOSES delivers the neatest payoff by making an everyday omission feel newly noticeable.
See you at the next grid.
