Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and today's grid mixes conversational clues, biblical wit, and celebrity trivia. Come on in and find your foothold.
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: 3D is the trickiest, because recognizing the hosting role comes more easily than settling on its informal spelling.
Gimme Clue: 4D is the gimme, a familiar seasonal expression offering an inviting foothold.
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. Awesome song, informally
Hint: Think of the slang term for a song you keep replaying. Three letters, starts with J.
4A. Word after "Midas" or "magic"
Hint: Look for a noun completing an expression about a golden gift or an uncanny knack. Five letters, starts with T.
6A. World's most populous country
Hint: Think of the South Asian country whose capital is New Delhi. Five letters, starts with I.
7A. Holy person
Hint: Think of someone formally recognized for religious virtue. Five letters, starts with S.
8A. Ticker symbol for Harley-Davidson on the N.Y.S.E., appropriately
Hint: The stock-market abbreviation echoes a nickname for a big motorcycle. Three letters, starts with H.
Down Hints
1D. Biblical whale bait
Hint: Recall the prophet swallowed during a sea voyage. Five letters, starts with J.
2D. Sound
Hint: Think of the sound component of a recording, as opposed to its pictures. Five letters, starts with A.
3D. Hosting, informally
Hint: Picture introducing performers and keeping a stage event moving. Five letters, starts with M.
4D. "___ the season!"
Hint: Complete the festive exclamation with an old-fashioned contraction. Three letters, starts with T.
5D. Pharrell's signature item of apparel
Hint: Picture the oversized accessory perched above the singer's face. Three letters, starts with H.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Awesome song, informally
Answer: JAM
4A. Word after "Midas" or "magic"
Answer: TOUCH
6A. World's most populous country
Answer: INDIA
7A. Holy person
Answer: SAINT
8A. Ticker symbol for Harley-Davidson on the N.Y.S.E., appropriately
Answer: HOG
Down Answers
1D. Biblical whale bait
Answer: JONAH
2D. Sound
Answer: AUDIO
3D. Hosting, informally
Answer: MCING
4D. "___ the season!"
Answer: TIS
5D. Pharrell's signature item of apparel
Answer: HAT
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 8A pairs Harley-Davidson's ticker symbol with HOG, neatly connecting financial trivia to a motorcycle nickname. The clue's final word, "appropriately", rewards recognizing the connection.
Wordplay Winner: 1D wins for "Biblical whale bait", which turns JONAH's predicament into a cheeky fishing description. The humor comes from recasting a swallowed prophet as bait.
Quick Fill: TIS at 4D is the fastest confident fill because the seasonal expression is so familiar. It supplies the opening letters of TOUCH, INDIA, and SAINT, giving the left edge a useful anchor.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Use clear Across answers to settle an awkward informal spelling. TOUCH, INDIA, SAINT, and HOG supply the CING in MCING, leaving much less room for doubt at 3D.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The straightforward fills give this grid a welcoming rhythm, while MCING adds a spelling snag and HOG delivers the neatest trivia payoff.
See you at the next grid.