Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on a linked candy-history clue, crisp geography, and a neat advertising-slogan sound trick. 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: 1A is the trickiest clue because its candy-origin anecdote only resolves after the linked entry comes into view.
Gimme Clue: 5A is the clearest gimme, since both named kingdoms point directly to the same continent.
Theme Spotted: Linked candy-name clue at 1A and 8A.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. With 8-Across, candy pieces that got their name after the chocolatier tried to make them perfectly round, but failed
Hint: Think of the candy whose famously imperfect shape inspired its name, then use 8A to complete the product name. Four letters, starts with M.
5A. Home of Brunei and Bhutan
Hint: Place both named kingdoms on the same continent. Four letters, starts with A.
6A. Like the skin of snakes and fish
Hint: Picture the textured outer covering shared by a serpent and a fish. Five letters, starts with S.
7A. Take ___ (suffer financially)
Hint: Complete the phrase for absorbing a financial loss. Four letters, starts with A.
8A. See 1-Across
Hint: Return to 1A and finish the candy name formed by those imperfect pieces. Four letters, starts with D.
Down Hints
1D. ___ Picchu
Hint: Supply the word that precedes “Picchu” in the name of Peru's famed Inca citadel. Five letters, starts with M.
2D. "To repeat myself ..."
Hint: Think of the compact phrase used before repeating a point you have already made. Five letters, starts with I.
3D. Gentle musical melodies
Hint: Look for a plural noun for melodies that rise and fall with a gentle rhythmic swing. Five letters, starts with L.
4D. What "every kiss begins with," in jewelry ads
Hint: Hear the jewelry slogan aloud and isolate the sound that follows “begins with.” Three letters, starts with K.
6D. Wearing an upside-down smile
Hint: Picture the expression suggested by a mouth curved downward. Three letters, starts with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. With 8-Across, candy pieces that got their name after the chocolatier tried to make them perfectly round, but failed
Answer: MILK
5A. Home of Brunei and Bhutan
Answer: ASIA
6A. Like the skin of snakes and fish
Answer: SCALY
7A. Take ___ (suffer financially)
Answer: AHIT
8A. See 1-Across
Answer: DUDS
Down Answers
1D. ___ Picchu
Answer: MACHU
2D. "To repeat myself ..."
Answer: ISAID
3D. Gentle musical melodies
Answer: LILTS
4D. What "every kiss begins with," in jewelry ads
Answer: KAY
6D. Wearing an upside-down smile
Answer: SAD
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: The defining pair is 1A with 8A, MILK DUDS. It works because the clue turns the candy's failed attempt at perfect roundness into a memorable explanation of its name.
Wordplay Winner: KAY at 4D wins the wordplay prize. The slogan points to the jewelry brand while also invoking the spoken name of the initial letter in “kiss.”
Quick Fill: ASIA at 5A was the fastest confident fill, and it immediately checked MACHU, ISAID, LILTS, and KAY through the upper crossings.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with a firm geography fill such as ASIA, then let its crossings establish the crossing downs, especially MACHU and KAY. Once those letters are secure, linked clues such as MILK DUDS become much easier to finish as a unit.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, pairing direct trivia with a playful centerpiece. MILK DUDS supplied the finish with the strongest personality.
See you at the next grid.
