Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and familiar brands and place clues share the grid with everyday vocabulary. Come on in and find your foothold.
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: 7x7
Total Clues: 14 (7 Across, 7 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 3D is the trickiest clue because its brief reference to older television gives you little help unless the performer comes to mind.
Gimme Clue: 4A is the gimme, a direct car-model clue with no verbal detour.
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. World Series org.
Hint: 1A points to the abbreviated organization behind baseball's championship. Three letters, starts with M.
4A. Toyota hybrid
Hint: 4A wants Toyota's signature gasoline-and-electric model. Five letters, starts with P.
6A. Person who hoards random objects
Hint: 6A uses an animal-inspired nickname for someone who keeps every odd object. Seven letters, starts with P.
8A. Southern city where Coca-Cola, Delta and Home Depot are all headquartered
Hint: 8A points to Georgia's capital. Seven letters, starts with A.
9A. Landmark Chicago sculpture, informally
Hint: 9A wants the everyday nickname of the curved, reflective sculpture in Millennium Park. Seven letters, starts with T.
10A. High in sodium
Hint: 10A asks for the flavor you get from a heavily seasoned pretzel. Five letters, starts with S.
11A. ___ worth
Hint: 11A completes the financial phrase for assets minus liabilities. Three letters, starts with N.
Down Hints
1D. Commercial mascot with a bald head and golden earring
Hint: 1D points to the muscular household-cleaner mascot in a white shirt. Seven letters, starts with M.
2D. Charming and friendly
Hint: 2D describes someone who is easy to enjoy being around. Seven letters, starts with L.
3D. Carol of old TV
Hint: 3D points to the sketch-comedy star known for tugging her ear. Seven letters, starts with B.
4D. Hiking trails
Hint: 4D asks for the routes your boots follow through the woods. Five letters, starts with P.
5D. Meat-on-a-stick dish in Southeast Asia
Hint: 5D points to grilled meat skewers often served with peanut sauce. Five letters, starts with S.
6D. Reassuring touch
Hint: 6D suggests a gentle tap on the shoulder to offer comfort. Three letters, starts with P.
7D. Camel-colored
Hint: 7D asks for a pale brown shade, with the animal serving as a color reference. Three letters, starts with T.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. World Series org.
Answer: MLB
4A. Toyota hybrid
Answer: PRIUS
6A. Person who hoards random objects
Answer: PACKRAT
8A. Southern city where Coca-Cola, Delta and Home Depot are all headquartered
Answer: ATLANTA
9A. Landmark Chicago sculpture, informally
Answer: THEBEAN
10A. High in sodium
Answer: SALTY
11A. ___ worth
Answer: NET
Down Answers
1D. Commercial mascot with a bald head and golden earring
Answer: MRCLEAN
2D. Charming and friendly
Answer: LIKABLE
3D. Carol of old TV
Answer: BURNETT
4D. Hiking trails
Answer: PATHS
5D. Meat-on-a-stick dish in Southeast Asia
Answer: SATAY
6D. Reassuring touch
Answer: PAT
7D. Camel-colored
Answer: TAN
The finished grid, row by row:
| ■ | ■ | M | L | B | ■ | ■ |
| ■ | P | R | I | U | S | ■ |
| P | A | C | K | R | A | T |
| A | T | L | A | N | T | A |
| T | H | E | B | E | A | N |
| ■ | S | A | L | T | Y | ■ |
| ■ | ■ | N | E | T | ■ | ■ |
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 9A, "Landmark Chicago sculpture, informally", earns the spotlight with THEBEAN. The word "informally" makes the clue work, steering you toward the sculpture's familiar nickname rather than its official name, Cloud Gate.
Wordplay Winner: 6A wins the figurative-language prize with PACKRAT for "Person who hoards random objects". The pleasure comes from applying an animal's collecting reputation to a human habit.
Quick Fill: MLB at 1A is a fast, confident opening fill because the World Series reference points directly to the organization. Its crossings supply the opening letters of MRCLEAN, LIKABLE and BURNETT, giving each long central Down entry a foothold.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Use direct clues such as PRIUS and SALTY to build crossings before wrestling with a name you cannot recall. BURNETT is a good candidate to leave briefly and revisit with more letters.
Treat qualifier words as directions. In 9A, "informally" tells you to search for a nickname, which is the key to choosing THEBEAN.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid rewards recognition, then lets everyday vocabulary carry you through the gaps. THEBEAN supplies the most vivid image, a satisfying highlight among the brands and familiar phrases.
See you at the next grid.