Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on crisp trivia, direct definitions, and a neat pair of cross-referenced brand clues. Settle in for a compact grid with lively variety.
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: 5A is the trickiest clue because its familiar image points to a less familiar adjectival form.
Gimme Clue: 2D is the clearest gimme, a direct French translation with no wordplay to untangle.
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. Classical instrument in the Guinness logo
Hint: 1A asks for the classical instrument that appears in the Guinness logo. Four letters, starts with H.
5A. Covered in vines
Hint: 5A needs an adjective describing a building or wall overgrown with climbing vines. Five letters, starts with I.
7A. 8-Across competitor, in the soda aisle
Hint: For 7A, picture the blue-labeled cola rival of the brand entered at 8A. Five letters, starts with P.
8A. 7-Across competitor, in the soda aisle
Hint: For 8A, picture the red-labeled cola rival of the brand entered at 7A. Four letters, starts with C.
9A. Owner of The Athletic, for short
Hint: 9A wants the abbreviated name of the newspaper company that owns The Athletic. Three letters, starts with N.
Down Hints
1D. Cool and in the know
Hint: 1D is a slang adjective for someone stylish, current, and well informed. Three letters, starts with H.
2D. French for "with"
Hint: 2D asks you to translate the quoted preposition into French. Four letters, starts with A.
3D. Ruthlessly make fun of
Hint: 3D is a two-word expression meaning to mock someone mercilessly. Five letters, starts with R.
4D. Annoying, like mosquitoes
Hint: 4D calls for an adjective describing the irritating persistence of mosquitoes. Five letters, starts with P.
6D. Plan born from many a New Year's resolution
Hint: 6D points to an eating plan commonly adopted as a New Year's resolution. Four letters, starts with D.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Classical instrument in the Guinness logo
Answer: HARP
5A. Covered in vines
Answer: IVIED
7A. 8-Across competitor, in the soda aisle
Answer: PEPSI
8A. 7-Across competitor, in the soda aisle
Answer: COKE
9A. Owner of The Athletic, for short
Answer: NYT
Down Answers
1D. Cool and in the know
Answer: HIP
2D. French for "with"
Answer: AVEC
3D. Ruthlessly make fun of
Answer: RIPON
4D. Annoying, like mosquitoes
Answer: PESKY
6D. Plan born from many a New Year's resolution
Answer: DIET
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, “Classical instrument in the Guinness logo,” paired with HARP, defines the grid's bright trivia style. The answer is both a familiar instrument and a precise piece of brand imagery.
Wordplay Winner: The reciprocal soda clues win the wordplay round: 7A PEPSI identifies itself through 8A COKE, while 8A points straight back to PEPSI. The circular mechanism makes either crossing set the pair in motion.
Quick Fill: AVEC is the fastest confident fill because 2D is a direct translation. It anchors HARP, IVIED, PEPSI, and COKE through its crossings.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
When two clues point at each other, use crossings to identify one side and enter the pair together. Here, a foothold in PEPSI or COKE immediately resolves the other.
Prioritize exact translations and standard abbreviations before wrestling with unusual forms. AVEC and NYT provide clean crossing letters for IVIED and RIPON.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, balancing direct footholds with the unusual IVIED and the playful PEPSI-COKE exchange. HARP supplied the sharpest final bit of trivia.
See you at the next grid.
