Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans into crisp trivia, modern phrasing, and playful clue angles without a formal theme. Settle in for a compact grid with plenty of personality.
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: 6A is the trickiest clue because it asks you to identify a publication solely from the deadpan style of a fabricated headline.
Gimme Clue: 4D is the clearest gimme, pointing to a familiar piece of firefighting equipment with little room for ambiguity.
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. ___ to pay (modern prompt)
Hint: 1A wants the contactless action prompted at a modern checkout terminal. Three letters, starts with T.
4A. Helpful book genre
Hint: 4A points to books built around practical, step-by-step instruction. Five letters, starts with H.
6A. Source of the headline "Study: Dolphins Not So Intelligent on Land," with "The"
Hint: 6A refers to the satirical publication known for absurd headlines delivered in a serious news style. Five letters, starts with O.
7A. Summer forecast
Hint: 7A seeks the bright, clear weather condition associated with summer forecasts. Five letters, starts with S.
8A. Curvy shape
Hint: 8A asks for the spoken name of a letter whose written form bends in both directions. Three letters, starts with E.
Down Hints
1D. The sisters on "Sister, Sister" or the brothers on "Property Brothers"
Hint: 1D describes the shared sibling relationship in both television duos named by the clue. Five letters, starts with T.
2D. Lots and lots
Hint: 2D calls for an informal phrase meaning a very large amount. Four letters, starts with A.
3D. Pay (up)
Hint: 3D wants the verb that pairs with “up” when someone finally hands over money owed. Four letters, starts with P.
4D. Fire truck attachment
Hint: 4D is the flexible line used to direct water from a fire truck. Four letters, starts with H.
5D. Heavy burden
Hint: 5D means a duty or burden that weighs on someone. Four letters, starts with O.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. ___ to pay (modern prompt)
Answer: TAP
4A. Helpful book genre
Answer: HOWTO
6A. Source of the headline "Study: Dolphins Not So Intelligent on Land," with "The"
Answer: ONION
7A. Summer forecast
Answer: SUNNY
8A. Curvy shape
Answer: ESS
Down Answers
1D. The sisters on "Sister, Sister" or the brothers on "Property Brothers"
Answer: TWINS
2D. Lots and lots
Answer: ATON
3D. Pay (up)
Answer: PONY
4D. Fire truck attachment
Answer: HOSE
5D. Heavy burden
Answer: ONUS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 6A, “Source of the headline ‘Study: Dolphins Not So Intelligent on Land,’ with ‘The,’” lands perfectly on ONION. The absurd premise and dry academic framing reproduce The Onion's satirical voice with precision.
Wordplay Winner: 8A wins the wordplay prize with ESS for “Curvy shape.” The clue treats the spoken name of the letter S as a noun for the letter's winding form.
Quick Fill: HOSE is the fastest confident fill because “Fire truck attachment” is direct and concrete. It anchors the left edge through crossings with HOWTO, ONION, SUNNY, and ESS.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with concrete object clues such as HOSE, then use their crossings to settle broader prompts. Here, HOSE supplies dependable letters across four different entries.
When a clue quotes a deliberately ridiculous headline, identify the source's voice before parsing every word. That recognition turns the long 6A clue into ONION immediately.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid treated solvers fairly, pairing direct anchors with sharper bits of cultural recognition and letter-name play. ONION gave the puzzle its defining comic snap.
See you at the next grid.
