Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a Broadway nod and familiar everyday clues give the grid a lively mix. Come on in and see which crossing opens it up.
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 asks you to identify a president from a quotation, which takes more recall than the concrete object clues around it.
Gimme Clue: 5A points to a familiar fresh topping on pizza margherita, making it a confident place to start.
Theme Spotted: None today, straightforward trivia and everyday vocabulary.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Attendees of the Jellicle Ball, on Broadway
Hint: Think of the feline performers at that Broadway ball. Four letters, starts with C.
5A. Topping on a pizza margherita
Hint: Look for the fresh green herb served with tomato and mozzarella. Five letters, starts with B.
6A. President who said "The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something"
Hint: Recall the former U.S. president associated with this call to take action. Five letters, starts with O.
7A. Feature of many a smart toilet
Hint: Think of the bathroom fixture that washes with a stream of water. Five letters, starts with B.
8A. Rattling kind of drum
Hint: Picture the drum with a sharp, buzzing rattle. Five letters, starts with S.
Down Hints
1D. House in the woods
Hint: Imagine a small rustic dwelling tucked among trees. Five letters, starts with C.
2D. Carne ___ (beef dish)
Hint: Complete the Spanish name for grilled beef. Five letters, starts with A.
3D. Function in the Clock app
Hint: Think of the Clock app function that counts down to an alert. Five letters, starts with T.
4D. Rock used in roofing
Hint: Think of a flat stone that can be split into roofing tiles. Five letters, starts with S.
5D. Moves up and down in the water
Hint: Picture the motion of a buoy riding the waves. Four letters, starts with B.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
---
---
---
---
---
Across Answers
1A. Attendees of the Jellicle Ball, on Broadway
Answer: CATS
5A. Topping on a pizza margherita
Answer: BASIL
6A. President who said "The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something"
Answer: OBAMA
7A. Feature of many a smart toilet
Answer: BIDET
8A. Rattling kind of drum
Answer: SNARE
Down Answers
1D. House in the woods
Answer: CABIN
2D. Carne ___ (beef dish)
Answer: ASADA
3D. Function in the Clock app
Answer: TIMER
4D. Rock used in roofing
Answer: SLATE
5D. Moves up and down in the water
Answer: BOBS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, “Attendees of the Jellicle Ball, on Broadway,” leads to CATS. The Jellicle Ball is the gathering at the heart of the musical Cats, so the clue rewards recognizing the stage reference.
Wordplay Winner: 5D, “Moves up and down in the water,” gives BOBS. The clue describes a floating object's motion, and “moves” works as a verb here, not a plural noun.
Quick Fill: 5A, BASIL, is a quick anchor: the pizza topping crosses every Down entry, including BOBS, CABIN, ASADA, TIMER and SLATE.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Fill a concrete clue such as 5A first, then use its crossings to test the quotation at 6A. If an attribution stalls, the object clues in the Downs can supply letters without relying on memory alone.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
CATS gives the grid a theatrical opening, while the everyday clues offer steady footholds through the finish.
See you at the next grid.
