Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on crisp definitions, accessible trivia, and a few satisfying bits of misdirection. Settle in for a compact grid with lively crossings.
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: 4D is the trickiest clue because it asks you to connect a filming location with a specific movie.
Gimme Clue: 5D is the clearest gimme, thanks to its instantly recognizable cookie description.
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. Like sashimi and steak tartare
Hint: Think about the preparation state shared by the two foods in 1A. Three letters, starts with R.
4A. Unit of energy symbolized by a "J"
Hint: 4A wants the SI energy unit represented by the symbol J. Five letters, starts with J.
6A. Debate back and forth
Hint: For 6A, find the verb for exchanging opposing positions back and forth. Five letters, starts with A.
7A. Online source for health diagnoses
Hint: 7A points to a familiar health-information website used for checking symptoms and possible diagnoses. Five letters, starts with W.
8A. Yo ___ (Spanish "I am")
Hint: Complete the Spanish expression in 8A with the present-tense form of the verb meaning “to be.” Three letters, starts with S.
Down Hints
1D. National sport of New Zealand
Hint: 1D asks for New Zealand's national field sport, known for scrums and an oval ball. Five letters, starts with R.
2D. Graduate, for short
Hint: 2D is the standard shortened term for a former student or graduate. Four letters, starts with A.
3D. Garden intruder
Hint: 3D names an unwanted plant competing with cultivated growth in a garden. Four letters, starts with W.
4D. Hit 1975 film shot largely on location in Martha's Vineyard
Hint: 4D is the 1975 shark thriller filmed largely around Martha's Vineyard. Four letters, starts with J.
5D. Black-and-white cookie
Hint: 5D seeks the brand name of the familiar dark sandwich cookie with a pale filling. 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. Like sashimi and steak tartare
Answer: RAW
4A. Unit of energy symbolized by a "J"
Answer: JOULE
6A. Debate back and forth
Answer: ARGUE
7A. Online source for health diagnoses
Answer: WEBMD
8A. Yo ___ (Spanish "I am")
Answer: SOY
Down Answers
1D. National sport of New Zealand
Answer: RUGBY
2D. Graduate, for short
Answer: ALUM
3D. Garden intruder
Answer: WEED
4D. Hit 1975 film shot largely on location in Martha's Vineyard
Answer: JAWS
5D. Black-and-white cookie
Answer: OREO
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 4D, “Hit 1975 film shot largely on location in Martha's Vineyard,” lands on JAWS. The location detail turns a broad movie clue into a precise piece of film trivia.
Wordplay Winner: 8A wins the wordplay slot with SOY, because the clue disguises a basic Spanish phrase as a fill-in-the-blank expression beginning with “Yo.”
Quick Fill: OREO is the fastest confident fill, since the black-and-white cookie clue points cleanly to the brand. Its crossings support JOULE, ARGUE, WEBMD, and SOY down the second column of the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Bank direct fills such as RAW, SOY, and OREO before spending time on location-based trivia. Their crossing letters sharply narrow JAWS and the longer Across entries.
Translate grammar clues by identifying the exact form requested, as with SOY, rather than cycling through related vocabulary. That approach turns a short language clue into dependable crossing support.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, pairing direct vocabulary with a memorable flash of film trivia. JAWS supplied the strongest reveal and gave the compact puzzle its bite.
See you at the next grid.
