Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on linked wordplay, brisk definitions, and a touch of screen trivia. Settle in for a compact grid with a satisfying central idea.
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: 1A is the trickiest clue because its target is divided among linked Across entries, so the clue stays opaque until the pieces connect.
Gimme Clue: 4A is the clearest gimme because it asks for a direct antonym with no extra twist.
Theme Spotted: A familiar linked phrase divided among Across clues.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. With 6- and 8-Across, face seen in outer space
Hint: Think of a familiar expression describing a face imagined on Earth's natural satellite, then treat the linked entries as one continuous phrase. Three letters, starts with M.
4A. Opposite of tight
Hint: Picture a knot or garment that is not firmly secured. Five letters, starts with L.
6A. See 1-Across
Hint: This linked entry supplies the connecting portion of the familiar lunar-face expression. Five letters, starts with I.
7A. Directly called out in a post, using an "@"
Hint: Turn the @ symbol's social-media function into a past-tense verb. Five letters, starts with A.
8A. See 1-Across
Hint: Earth's natural satellite completes the expression referenced by 1A. Four letters, starts with M.
Down Hints
1D. "Eureka" for California, or "Excelsior" for New York
Hint: Name the type of official state saying exemplified by California's “Eureka” and New York's “Excelsior.” Five letters, starts with M.
2D. Pale with fright
Hint: Picture the drained, grayish complexion caused by sudden terror. Five letters, starts with A.
3D. Have to have
Hint: Use a verb meaning to require something rather than simply desire it. Four letters, starts with N.
4D. Actor Neeson of "Taken"
Hint: Identify the Irish actor who portrays Bryan Mills in “Taken.” Four letters, starts with L.
5D. "Hold ___ your hat!"
Hint: Complete the familiar command telling someone to keep their hat securely positioned. Four letters, starts with O.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. With 6- and 8-Across, face seen in outer space
Answer: MAN
4A. Opposite of tight
Answer: LOOSE
6A. See 1-Across
Answer: INTHE
7A. Directly called out in a post, using an "@"
Answer: ATTED
8A. See 1-Across
Answer: MOON
Down Answers
1D. "Eureka" for California, or "Excelsior" for New York
Answer: MOTTO
2D. Pale with fright
Answer: ASHEN
3D. Have to have
Answer: NEED
4D. Actor Neeson of "Taken"
Answer: LIAM
5D. "Hold ___ your hat!"
Answer: ONTO
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, 6A, and 8A combine as MAN IN THE MOON, the face seen in outer space. Splitting the familiar expression across separate rows makes the reveal feel larger than this compact grid.
Wordplay Winner: 7A's ATTED wins the wordplay prize by converting the @ symbol's tagging function into a compact past-tense verb.
Quick Fill: LOOSE at 4A is the fastest confident fill because “Opposite of tight” is completely direct. It immediately anchors the crossings with LIAM, ONTO, MOTTO, ASHEN, and NEED.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
When a clue explicitly links distant entries, read them as one continuous unit. Solving MAN IN THE MOON as a phrase is faster than treating MAN, INTHE, and MOON as isolated fills.
Bank direct definitions such as LOOSE and NEED before wrestling with conversational forms such as ATTED. Those firm crossings expose the less standard vocabulary quickly.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid played fair, using clean crossings to support its less familiar phrasing. MAN IN THE MOON gave the finish a neat flash of recognition.
See you at the next grid.
