Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on lively informal language, concrete trivia, and familiar phrases. Settle in for a compact grid with plenty of personality.
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 informal flattening verb leaves several plausible choices before the crossings settle it.
Gimme Clue: 6A is the clearest gimme, with its African setting and striking weight detail pointing to one unmistakable mammal.
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. Flatten, informally
Hint: Think of an informal verb for pressing something flat or crushing it together. Five letters, starts with S.
6A. African mammal that can weigh up to 10,000 pounds
Hint: Picture a massive, round-bodied African mammal that spends much of its day in water. Five letters, starts with H.
7A. "___ next time!"
Hint: Complete the familiar farewell that promises another meeting. Five letters, starts with U.
8A. Add fuel to, as a fire
Hint: Picture tending a fire by feeding it more fuel. Five letters, starts with S.
9A. Really talked (up)
Hint: Look for a past-tense verb meaning promoted with intense enthusiasm. Five letters, starts with H.
Down Hints
1D. "Quiet!"
Hint: Supply the brief sound used to demand immediate silence. Five letters, starts with S.
2D. Like many green mouthwashes
Hint: Describe the cool, fresh flavor associated with green mouthwash. Five letters, starts with M.
3D. Request that precedes "down low ... too slow!"
Hint: Recall the first request in the playground hand-slap sequence that continues with “down low ... too slow!” Five letters, starts with U.
4D. Powerful volleyball hit
Hint: Name the forceful downward attack an offensive volleyball player drives over the net. Five letters, starts with S.
5D. Sank, as a putt
Hint: Use the golf verb for sending a putt cleanly into the cup. Five letters, starts with H.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Flatten, informally
Answer: SMUSH
6A. African mammal that can weigh up to 10,000 pounds
Answer: HIPPO
7A. "___ next time!"
Answer: UNTIL
8A. Add fuel to, as a fire
Answer: STOKE
9A. Really talked (up)
Answer: HYPED
Down Answers
1D. "Quiet!"
Answer: SHUSH
2D. Like many green mouthwashes
Answer: MINTY
3D. Request that precedes "down low ... too slow!"
Answer: UPTOP
4D. Powerful volleyball hit
Answer: SPIKE
5D. Sank, as a putt
Answer: HOLED
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, “Flatten, informally,” with SMUSH defines the grid's playful voice. The answer is vivid, conversational, and gains an extra bounce from crossing SHUSH at 1D.
Wordplay Winner: 3D wins the wordplay honors with UPTOP. The clue activates a familiar hand-slap routine, so the answer arrives through remembered rhythm rather than a standard definition.
Quick Fill: HIPPO at 6A is the fastest confident fill because the weight detail makes the animal clear. It anchors the entire row, supplying crossings for SHUSH, MINTY, UPTOP, SPIKE, and HOLED.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with the most concrete clue, here HIPPO, then use its full row of crossings to test the more conversational entries.
When a clue quotes speech or a routine, say it naturally in your head. That approach unlocks UNTIL, SHUSH, and UPTOP faster than searching through formal synonyms.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, balancing direct anchors with a few lively spoken expressions. SMUSH leaves the strongest impression because it captures the puzzle's loose, playful energy.
See you at the next grid.
