Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on crisp definitions, a dance reference, brand trivia, and one satisfying sound-based twist. 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: 5D is the trickiest clue because its parenthetical asks you to hear a mythological name inside the clue's final word.
Gimme Clue: 7A is the clearest gimme, with a direct anatomical definition and no deceptive wording.
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. Leave alone
Hint: Think of a short command meaning not to disturb or interfere with something. Five letters, starts with L.
6A. Vehemently dislike
Hint: Reach for a forceful verb meaning to feel intense aversion. Five letters, starts with A.
7A. Middle section of the body
Hint: Picture the central trunk of the human body, excluding the head and limbs. Five letters, starts with T.
8A. "Hands on your ___! Hands on your ___!" (refrain in the "Cha-Cha Slide")
Hint: Recall the repeated body part named after the instruction to place your hands during the dance refrain. Five letters, starts with K.
9A. Iris's place
Hint: Treat Iris as anatomy rather than a person's name, and locate the colored ring. Three letters, starts with E.
Down Hints
1D. Crispy treat during Hanukkah
Hint: Think of the crisp fried potato pancake served during the Jewish festival named in the clue. Five letters, starts with L.
2D. Expensive dark wood
Hint: Name the dense, nearly black hardwood prized for its rich color. Five letters, starts with E.
3D. This clue's number
Hint: Read the label beside this Down clue literally, since the clue points back to its own numeral. Five letters, starts with T.
4D. Big name in portable speakers
Hint: Think of the audio brand associated with compact wireless speakers and headphones. Four letters, starts with B.
5D. Greek god who shoots (and sounds like!) arrows
Hint: Say the projectiles aloud, then listen for the name of the Greek deity associated with a bow. Four letters, starts with E.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Leave alone
Answer: LETBE
6A. Vehemently dislike
Answer: ABHOR
7A. Middle section of the body
Answer: TORSO
8A. "Hands on your ___! Hands on your ___!" (refrain in the "Cha-Cha Slide")
Answer: KNEES
9A. Iris's place
Answer: EYE
Down Answers
1D. Crispy treat during Hanukkah
Answer: LATKE
2D. Expensive dark wood
Answer: EBONY
3D. This clue's number
Answer: THREE
4D. Big name in portable speakers
Answer: BOSE
5D. Greek god who shoots (and sounds like!) arrows
Answer: EROS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5D, “Greek god who shoots (and sounds like!) arrows,” is EROS. The clue works because “arrows” spoken aloud resembles Eros, while the shooting image points naturally to the bow-carrying god.
Wordplay Winner: 9A wins the misdirection prize with EYE. “Iris's place” briefly presents Iris as a person before the anatomical reading snaps into focus.
Quick Fill: 7A, TORSO, is the fastest confident fill because its clue is completely literal. It supplies central crossings for LATKE, EBONY, THREE, BOSE, and EROS.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with direct definitions such as TORSO and EYE, then use their crossing letters to constrain LATKE, EBONY, and THREE before tackling the more playful clues.
When a clue refers to its own label, take that self-reference literally. Here, that approach makes THREE immediate and opens the center column.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid treated solvers fairly, pairing clean definitions with just enough misdirection to keep the finish lively. EROS provided the sharpest final click.
See you at the next grid.
