Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and mixes crisp trivia with a compact joke threaded through the grid. Settle in for a playful, approachable solve.
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: 7A is the trickiest clue because its wording only clicks after you connect it to the setup elsewhere in the grid.
Gimme Clue: 8A is the clearest gimme, thanks to a familiar crossword abbreviation and a direct clue.
Theme Spotted: A linked setup and punchline connects 5A and 7A.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Fire enthusiast, slangily
Hint: Think of an informal label for someone fascinated by flames. Four letters, starts with P.
5A. Q: Why did the farmer ___ under his tractor?
Hint: The missing verb describes what the farmer did beneath the tractor and sets up the punchline. Five letters, starts with S.
6A. Many buildings on campus
Hint: Picture the campus buildings that house dorm rooms, lectures and large gatherings. Five letters, starts with H.
7A. A: So he could wake up ___ in the morning!
Hint: Finish the punchline with a condition associated with grease. Four letters, starts with O.
8A. Aliens, for short
Hint: Use the familiar abbreviation for beings from beyond Earth. Three letters, starts with E.
Down Hints
1D. Braid, to a Brit
Hint: Look for the British noun for hair or material woven into interlacing strands. Five letters, starts with P.
2D. Hollers
Hint: Choose a verb for shouting loudly. Five letters, starts with Y.
3D. Depend (on)
Hint: This verb means to count on someone or something. Four letters, starts with R.
4D. Photo ___ (publicity events)
Hint: Complete the familiar phrase for staged publicity appearances built around cameras. Three letters, starts with O.
5D. One of two often sold in a box
Hint: Think of a single item whose matching mate commonly shares its retail box. Four letters, starts with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Fire enthusiast, slangily
Answer: PYRO
5A. Q: Why did the farmer ___ under his tractor?
Answer: SLEEP
6A. Many buildings on campus
Answer: HALLS
7A. A: So he could wake up ___ in the morning!
Answer: OILY
8A. Aliens, for short
Answer: ETS
Down Answers
1D. Braid, to a Brit
Answer: PLAIT
2D. Hollers
Answer: YELLS
3D. Depend (on)
Answer: RELY
4D. Photo ___ (publicity events)
Answer: OPS
5D. One of two often sold in a box
Answer: SHOE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: The paired 5A and 7A clues, answered by SLEEP and OILY, define the puzzle. SLEEP supplies the farmer's action, while OILY turns the tractor into the source of a deliberately groan-worthy consequence.
Wordplay Winner: SLEEP and OILY win the wordplay prize because the grid separates a joke into its question and answer. The delayed punchline gives an ordinary adjective a comic mechanical context.
Quick Fill: ETS is the fastest confident fill because the abbreviation is immediate, and its crossings stabilize SHOE, PLAIT, and YELLS.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Bank the direct synonym entries YELLS and RELY before wrestling with the joke. Their crossings expose much of SLEEP and OILY, letting the punchline resolve from structure as well as wording.
Treat regional wording as a signal, not an obstacle. The British qualifier points cleanly to PLAIT, which supports several Across entries at once.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers kindly, then saved its personality for the SLEEP and OILY payoff. It is a tidy little groaner with sturdy crossings.
See you at the next grid.
