Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a mix of name trivia, wordplay, and slang gives the grid a lively rhythm. Settle in and let the crossings help.
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: 6A takes the most care: its instruction points to a shortened name, but the exact cut is easy to miss.
Gimme Clue: 8A is the gimme, with a familiar lumberjack tool described directly.
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. Golfer McIlroy
Hint: Think of the Northern Irish golfer named by the clue. Four letters, starts with R.
5A. What a best-selling book might be adapted into
Hint: Picture the screen adaptation of a publishing hit. Five letters, starts with M.
6A. Nickname that drops "beth"
Hint: Take the longer familiar name and remove the ending specified in the clue. Five letters, starts with E.
7A. Early 2000s babies are part of it
Hint: Identify the generation associated with births in the early 2000s. Four letters, starts with G.
8A. Tool for a lumberjack
Hint: Picture the chopping tool a lumberjack brings to a tree. Three letters, starts with A.
Down Hints
1D. Watch brand with a crown logo
Hint: Look for the luxury watchmaker whose emblem is a crown. Five letters, starts with R.
2D. Word like equine, feline or canine, but for sheep
Hint: Use the animal adjective that applies to sheep. Five letters, starts with O.
3D. Charisma, in slang
Hint: Think of the slang term for magnetic social charm. Four letters, starts with R.
4D. Opposite of "nay"
Hint: Choose the affirmative vote. Three letters, starts with Y.
5D. "Big" prefix
Hint: Think of the prefix that can make something sound very large. Four letters, starts with M.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Golfer McIlroy
Answer: RORY
5A. What a best-selling book might be adapted into
Answer: MOVIE
6A. Nickname that drops "beth"
Answer: ELIZA
7A. Early 2000s babies are part of it
Answer: GENZ
8A. Tool for a lumberjack
Answer: AXE
Down Answers
1D. Watch brand with a crown logo
Answer: ROLEX
2D. Word like equine, feline or canine, but for sheep
Answer: OVINE
3D. Charisma, in slang
Answer: RIZZ
4D. Opposite of "nay"
Answer: YEA
5D. "Big" prefix
Answer: MEGA
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 6A, “Nickname that drops ‘beth,’” gives ELIZA. Remove “beth” from Elizabeth and the answer is right there.
Wordplay Winner: ELIZA wins the wordplay at 6A: “drops ‘beth’” sounds like a loose description of a nickname, but it is also a literal instruction for cutting Elizabeth.
Quick Fill: 8A, AXE, is the quickest confident fill. Its letters close out MEGA at 5D, ROLEX at 1D, and OVINE at 2D.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Fill a direct clue such as 8A first, then use its crossings to check the longer Downs. For 6A, follow the clue's cutting instruction literally before looking for another nickname.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The direct clues give this grid a friendly start, while ELIZA supplies a satisfying little turn.
See you at the next grid.
