Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on crisp entertainment trivia, geography, and clean wordplay without a larger gimmick. Settle in for a compact grid with satisfying 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: 7A is the trickiest clue because recognizing the recent Broadway revival depends on specific theater knowledge.
Gimme Clue: 1A is the clearest gimme, since the two reality shows share an immediately recognizable broadcaster.
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. Channel for "Survivor" and "Big Brother"
Hint: Think of the broadcast network shared by both reality competition shows. Three letters, starts with C.
4A. Dessert wine
Hint: Look to the Douro Valley for this sweet fortified wine. Four letters, starts with P.
5A. Alfred Hitchcock famously made one in 40 of his 53 films
Hint: The clue refers to the director's brief appearance on screen in his own films. Five letters, starts with C.
6A. Like elephants distinguished by their smaller rounded ears
Hint: Identify the continent associated with the elephant species known for smaller, rounded ears. Five letters, starts with A.
7A. "The ___ Horror Show," 2026 Broadway revival with nine Tony nominations
Hint: Complete the title of the cult musical revived on Broadway. Five letters, starts with R.
Down Hints
1D. Word before relief, book or strip
Hint: The same modifier can precede relief, book, and strip. Five letters, starts with C.
2D. Snap (off)
Hint: Think of a verb for snapping something off cleanly. Five letters, starts with B.
3D. Cold and unfeeling
Hint: Look for an adjective describing an icy, emotionally unmoved manner. Five letters, starts with S.
4D. El ___, West Texas metropolis
Hint: Complete the name of the West Texas metropolis on the Rio Grande. Four letters, starts with P.
5D. Expensive gift for a 16th birthday
Hint: Picture the costly set of wheels often imagined as a milestone birthday gift. Three letters, starts with C.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Channel for "Survivor" and "Big Brother"
Answer: CBS
4A. Dessert wine
Answer: PORT
5A. Alfred Hitchcock famously made one in 40 of his 53 films
Answer: CAMEO
6A. Like elephants distinguished by their smaller rounded ears
Answer: ASIAN
7A. "The ___ Horror Show," 2026 Broadway revival with nine Tony nominations
Answer: ROCKY
Down Answers
1D. Word before relief, book or strip
Answer: COMIC
2D. Snap (off)
Answer: BREAK
3D. Cold and unfeeling
Answer: STONY
4D. El ___, West Texas metropolis
Answer: PASO
5D. Expensive gift for a 16th birthday
Answer: CAR
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5A, “Alfred Hitchcock famously made one in 40 of his 53 films,” lands on CAMEO. It works because Hitchcock's signature on-screen appearances turn a film-history fact into a precise crossword definition.
Wordplay Winner: 1D wins the wordplay prize with COMIC, the shared modifier in comic relief, comic book, and comic strip. The clue hides one clean connector behind three familiar phrases.
Quick Fill: CBS is the fastest confident fill because the two named shows point directly to their network. Its letters immediately support COMIC, BREAK, and STONY at the crossings.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with direct proper-noun anchors such as CBS and PASO, then use their crossings to settle broader vocabulary. That approach quickly exposes COMIC, CAMEO, and ROCKY.
When a clue lists several phrases, test for one shared modifier before considering separate meanings. COMIC at 1D shows how efficiently that pattern can unlock a central entry.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid rewarded quick recognition while reserving its sharpest spark for CAMEO. The mix of direct trivia and tidy phrase work made every crossing feel purposeful.
See you at the next grid.
