Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on crisp trivia, everyday language, and a neat punctuation abbreviation. Settle in for a compact grid with satisfying 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: 5A is the trickiest clue because it requires precise Hawaiian geography rather than a broad association with the islands.
Gimme Clue: 6A is the clearest gimme, with a direct astronomy definition that points to one familiar term.
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. Like flamingos and cherry blossoms
Hint: Focus on the shared rosy hue of the bird and the springtime flowers. Four letters, starts with P.
5A. Hawaiian island visible from Maui's west shore
Hint: Look west from Maui for the nearby Hawaiian island named by the clue. Five letters, starts with L.
6A. Planet's path
Hint: Picture the repeating route a planet follows around its star. Five letters, starts with O.
7A. Short Instagram video
Hint: Use Instagram's own label for its short-form video format. Four letters, starts with R.
8A. Break off, as a relationship
Hint: Think of a direct verb for breaking off a romantic partnership. Three letters, starts with E.
Down Hints
1D. ( or ), for short
Hint: Use the standard shorthand for either curved punctuation mark shown in the clue. Five letters, starts with P.
2D. Where Mother's Day breakfast might be served
Hint: Picture breakfast brought to a mother while she is still resting beneath the covers. Five letters, starts with I.
3D. Tiny thing to paint
Hint: Think manicure rather than miniature canvas. Four letters, starts with N.
4D. First-aid container
Hint: Think of the portable container stocked with bandages and basic medical supplies. Three letters, starts with K.
5D. Origin stories, e.g.
Hint: Think of traditional tales and beliefs that explain beginnings. Four letters, starts with L.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Like flamingos and cherry blossoms
Answer: PINK
5A. Hawaiian island visible from Maui's west shore
Answer: LANAI
6A. Planet's path
Answer: ORBIT
7A. Short Instagram video
Answer: REEL
8A. Break off, as a relationship
Answer: END
Down Answers
1D. ( or ), for short
Answer: PAREN
2D. Where Mother's Day breakfast might be served
Answer: INBED
3D. Tiny thing to paint
Answer: NAIL
4D. First-aid container
Answer: KIT
5D. Origin stories, e.g.
Answer: LORE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: The defining pair is 1D, “( or ), for short,” with PAREN. The answer compresses a familiar punctuation term exactly as the clue requests, giving the grid its sharpest bit of crossword shorthand.
Wordplay Winner: The wordplay winner is 3D, “Tiny thing to paint,” for NAIL. “Paint” initially suggests art, but the tiny surface is part of a manicure.
Quick Fill: ORBIT is the fastest confident fill because “Planet's path” is an exact definition. Its crossings lock in LORE, PAREN, INBED, NAIL, and KIT across the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with exact-definition clues such as ORBIT and KIT, then use their crossings to settle the more context-dependent LANAI and PAREN.
When a clue like “Tiny thing to paint” feels broad, switch meanings quickly. Reading paint as a manicure verb produces NAIL and confirms REEL at the crossing.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
This grid treated solvers fairly, pairing direct anchors with a few precise turns of language. PAREN supplied the most distinctive finish.
See you at the next grid.
