Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Friday's grid brings a mix of naval terminology, literary references, and classic abbreviation wordplay. Whether you're racing the clock or just enjoying a quick brain break, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
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: Lead-in to "man," for a naval title
Gimme Clue: Cleaning cloth
Theme Spotted: None today
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. BT(W)
Hint: Abbreviation for "with" inside another abbreviation
4A. TL(C)
Hint: Abbreviation for "too long" plus a single letter
5A. NP(R)
Hint: Abbreviation for "no problem" with an added letter
6A. L(A)N
Hint: Network type with a single letter in the middle
7A. T(G)IF
Hint: Thank goodness abbreviation with a deity in the middle
Down Hints
1D. Walked through water
Hint: Past tense of moving through shallow liquid
2D. Opera solo
Hint: Solo vocal piece in classical music
3D. Lead-in to "man," for a naval title
Hint: Three-letter naval prefix
4D. Pulitzer-winning writer Robert, famous for his four-book series on Lyndon Johnson
Hint: Biographer's last name, four letters
5D. Cleaning cloth
Hint: Three-letter household item
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. BT(W)
Answer: WAY
4A. TL(C)
Answer: CARE
5A. NP(R)
Answer: RADIO
6A. L(A)N
Answer: AREA
7A. T(G)IF
Answer: GOD
Down Answers
1D. Walked through water
Answer: WADED
2D. Opera solo
Answer: ARIA
3D. Lead-in to "man," for a naval title
Answer: YEO
4D. Pulitzer-winning writer Robert, famous for his four-book series on Lyndon Johnson
Answer: CARO
5D. Cleaning cloth
Answer: RAG
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Pulitzer-winning writer Robert, famous for his four-book series on Lyndon Johnson" for CARO. This clue requires specific knowledge of American political biography and literary awards.
Wordplay Winner: "BT(W)" for WAY. Classic abbreviation wordplay where "BT" means "be there" and the "W" inside suggests "with," leading to the answer.
Quick Fill: "Cleaning cloth" for RAG. Straightforward three-letter answer that most solvers will get instantly.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for abbreviation patterns - clues like "BT(W)" and "TL(C)" signal letter substitution puzzles where you need to interpret the abbreviations creatively.
Recognize naval terminology - clues referencing specific military titles (like "naval title") often use specialized vocabulary that appears regularly in crosswords.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of literary references and abbreviation wordplay made for a balanced Friday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
