Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on crisp definitions, conversational phrasing, and a flash of creature trivia. Settle in for a compact grid with plenty of clean 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: 1D is the trickiest clue because its generational framing points to an unusually broad plural noun rather than a single number or range.
Gimme Clue: 8A is the clearest gimme, a direct geography clue with one standard response.
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. One of five for most starfish
Hint: Picture one of the five radiating appendages on a typical starfish. Three letters, starts with A.
4A. Fliers in a V
Hint: Look up at a migrating flock and name the birds commonly associated with that formation. Five letters, starts with G.
7A. Sing the praises of
Hint: Use a verb meaning to praise someone enthusiastically. Five letters, starts with E.
8A. Capital of South Korea
Hint: Name the national capital at the heart of South Korea's largest metropolitan area. Five letters, starts with S.
9A. Bottom of a shoe
Hint: Focus on the shoe layer that touches the ground. Four letters, starts with S.
Down Hints
1D. Around 14-29, for most members of Gen Z
Hint: The clue wants the plural noun describing how old people are, not the numerical range itself. Four letters, starts with A.
2D. T. ___ (fearsome dinos)
Hint: Complete the familiar dinosaur name after the initial and period, then make it plural. Five letters, starts with R.
3D. "Yeah, same!"
Hint: Think of the short conversational reply that says you share the same reaction or experience. Five letters, starts with M.
5D. 2020 Pixar movie
Hint: Recall the Pixar film centered on a jazz pianist and the realm before life. Four letters, starts with S.
6D. French fashion magazine
Hint: Think of the Paris-founded women's fashion magazine whose title is also a French feminine pronoun. 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. One of five for most starfish
Answer: ARM
4A. Fliers in a V
Answer: GEESE
7A. Sing the praises of
Answer: EXTOL
8A. Capital of South Korea
Answer: SEOUL
9A. Bottom of a shoe
Answer: SOLE
Down Answers
1D. Around 14-29, for most members of Gen Z
Answer: AGES
2D. T. ___ (fearsome dinos)
Answer: REXES
3D. "Yeah, same!"
Answer: METOO
5D. 2020 Pixar movie
Answer: SOUL
6D. French fashion magazine
Answer: ELLE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, “One of five for most starfish,” lands on ARM. It works because the clue applies a familiar human anatomy term to one of a starfish's radiating appendages, making a tiny answer feel vivid.
Wordplay Winner: 3D's “Yeah, same!” resolves to METOO. The clue turns an everyday reaction into the compact phrase ME TOO, with the space removed for the grid.
Quick Fill: SEOUL is the fastest confident fill because 8A is a direct capital clue. Its full row anchors crossings with AGES, REXES, METOO, SOUL, and ELLE.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with direct definitions such as SEOUL and SOLE, then let those crossings settle less natural forms such as REXES.
For a quoted conversational clue, translate the sentiment into the shortest everyday reply before worrying about grid spacing. That approach makes METOO drop quickly.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid treated solvers fairly, pairing direct anchors with just enough playful phrasing to keep the finish lively. ARM was the small answer with the sharpest clue.
See you at the next grid.
