Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Friday's grid brings a mix of historical political references and pop culture nostalgia. 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: "Political party that competed with Democrats during the 1830s, '50s"
Gimme Clue: "Narrow"
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. Political party that competed with Democrats during the 1830s, '50s
Hint: Think pre-Civil War American politics. Five letters, starts with W.
6A. Four Seasons, e.g.
Hint: A place to stay overnight. Five letters, starts with H.
7A. Dinosaur in the Mario games
Hint: Nintendo's green dinosaur companion. Five letters, starts with Y.
8A. Blizzard or hurricane
Hint: Severe weather event. Five letters, starts with S.
9A. We all look up to it
Hint: The blue expanse above. Three letters, starts with S.
Down Hints
1D. "Oh yeah, ___ that?"
Hint: Question word asking for reasons. Four letters, starts with W.
2D. Says "who?"
Hint: What an owl might do. Five letters, starts with H.
3D. "No worries"
Hint: Casual reassurance. Five letters, starts with I.
4D. Postmodern architect Frank
Hint: Famous for his titanium-clad buildings. Five letters, starts with G.
5D. Narrow
Hint: Opposite of wide. Four letters, starts with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
---
---
---
---
---
Across Answers
1A. Political party that competed with Democrats during the 1830s, '50s
Answer: WHIGS
6A. Four Seasons, e.g.
Answer: HOTEL
7A. Dinosaur in the Mario games
Answer: YOSHI
8A. Blizzard or hurricane
Answer: STORM
9A. We all look up to it
Answer: SKY
Down Answers
1D. "Oh yeah, ___ that?"
Answer: WHYS
2D. Says "who?"
Answer: HOOTS
3D. "No worries"
Answer: ITSOK
4D. Postmodern architect Frank
Answer: GEHRY
5D. Narrow
Answer: SLIM
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Political party that competed with Democrats during the 1830s, '50s" for WHIGS. This clue requires specific historical knowledge of pre-Civil War American politics, making it the puzzle's knowledge gatekeeper.
Wordplay Winner: "Says 'who?'" for HOOTS. Clever misdirection, it's not about asking questions but about owl sounds, playing on the double meaning of "who" as both a question and an owl's call.
Quick Fill: "Narrow" for SLIM. Straightforward definition with no wordplay or trickery, a classic gimme that gets solvers moving quickly.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for historical context clues, when you see time periods like "1830s, '50s," think American political history. The WHIGS clue is solvable through elimination once you fill intersecting letters.
Recognize pop culture references instantly. YOSHI is a Nintendo staple, if you see "Mario games" and "dinosaur," that's an immediate fill. No second-guessing needed.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of historical WHIGS and gaming's YOSHI kept things interesting. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
