Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a playful naming clue and a quiet letter connection give the familiar trivia extra texture. Come on in and let the direct clues get you moving.
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: 6x5
Total Clues: 11 (5 Across, 6 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 2D is the trickiest because its famous athlete invites a biographical answer, while the wording asks how well his name fits.
Gimme Clue: 1A is the clearest gimme, a direct geology definition with no verbal detour.
Theme Spotted: A shared-letter theme links 5A and 7A. Look closely at their arrangement.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Stream of molten rock
Hint: Think of the molten material flowing from an erupting volcano. Four letters, starts with L.
5A. "Cut that out!"
Hint: An exasperated command telling someone to quit what they're doing. Six letters, starts with S.
7A. Sticky note
Hint: Think of the brand name on adhesive-backed paper reminders. Six letters, starts with P.
8A. ___ Earhart, first woman to cross the Atlantic by airplane
Hint: Recall the pioneering aviator Earhart and supply the name that completes hers. Six letters, starts with A.
9A. Website for restaurant bookings
Hint: Think of the dining reservation platform you would check to secure a table. Four letters, starts with R.
Down Hints
1D. Takes the L
Hint: Read the slang as finishing on the defeated side. Five letters, starts with L.
2D. How sprinter Usain Bolt is named
Hint: Consider how neatly the runner's surname suits his speed. Five letters, starts with A.
3D. Eight, on a grandfather clock
Hint: Translate the clue's value into Roman numerals. Four letters, starts with V.
4D. "___ boy!"
Hint: Complete the informal shout of encouragement you would give after a good effort. Four letters, starts with A.
5D. Engage in a playful back-and-forth
Hint: Think of trading light verbal jabs, using a verb also associated with boxing practice. Four letters, starts with S.
6D. Heavy book
Hint: Picture a hefty, substantial volume on a library shelf. Four letters, starts with T.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Stream of molten rock
Answer: LAVA
5A. "Cut that out!"
Answer: STOPIT
7A. Sticky note
Answer: POSTIT
8A. ___ Earhart, first woman to cross the Atlantic by airplane
Answer: AMELIA
9A. Website for restaurant bookings
Answer: RESY
Down Answers
1D. Takes the L
Answer: LOSES
2D. How sprinter Usain Bolt is named
Answer: APTLY
3D. Eight, on a grandfather clock
Answer: VIII
4D. "___ boy!"
Answer: ATTA
5D. Engage in a playful back-and-forth
Answer: SPAR
6D. Heavy book
Answer: TOME
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 7A, "Sticky note," gives POSTIT and brings the grid's letter connection into focus. Directly below STOPIT at 5A, it rearranges STOP into POST while keeping IT intact, a satisfying visual echo beneath a straightforward clue.
Wordplay Winner: 2D, "How sprinter Usain Bolt is named," wins with APTLY. The clue asks for an adverb describing the fit between his name and his speed, and "bolt" supplies the joke.
Quick Fill: LAVA at 1A is the fastest confident entry because the definition points straight to it. Its crossings supply the opening letters of LOSES at 1D, APTLY at 2D, VIII at 3D and ATTA at 4D, giving the upper grid a firm anchor.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Let the grammar narrow the answer before chasing trivia. The "How" in 2D calls for a description such as APTLY, while "Takes" in 1D calls for a matching verb form, LOSES.
If RESY at 9A is unfamiliar, work its crossings through SPAR, TOME, LOSES and APTLY. A brand-name clue becomes easier when ordinary vocabulary supplies the letters.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The direct definitions offer a welcoming foothold, while APTLY rewards a closer reading. The STOPIT and POSTIT connection adds a neat finishing touch.
See you at the next grid.
