Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Friday's grid brings a Saturday-sized 7x7 challenge with a mix of pop culture references and clever 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: 7x7
Total Clues: 23 (14 Across, 9 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Org. that pays the Bills?" (8A)
Gimme Clue: "Young lady" (14A)
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. Rock's ___ Leppard
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for "definitely" or "definition"
4A. Cry a river
Hint: Three-letter word for weeping or sobbing
7A. Clean Air Act org.
Hint: Three-letter government agency for environmental protection
8A. Org. that pays the Bills?
Hint: Three-letter sports league with Buffalo in its name
9A. Nintendo console with motion sensors
Hint: Three-letter console that revolutionized motion gaming
10A. ___-quoted (frequently said)
Hint: Three-letter word meaning "frequently" or "many times"
11A. With 13-Across, narrow gap between the underside of a house and the ground
Hint: Five-letter word for moving on hands and knees
13A. See 11-Across
Hint: Five-letter word for gap or area
14A. Young lady
Hint: Three-letter informal term for a girl or woman
15A. Ooh and ___
Hint: Three-letter expression of amazement or delight
17A. Sports org. for Scottie Scheffler
Hint: Three-letter golf association
18A. "Hey, just an F.Y.I. ...," informally
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for public service announcement
19A. When doubled, nickname for singer Swift
Hint: Three-letter nickname for Taylor Swift
20A. Socially timid
Hint: Three-letter word for bashful or reserved
Down Hints
1D. Morning moisture
Hint: Three-letter word for condensation on grass
2D. "Game of Thrones" or Homer's "Odyssey"
Hint: Eight-letter term for a long, heroic story
3D. Good sportsmanship
Hint: Eight-letter phrase for playing by the rules
4D. White mountain toppers
Hint: Eight-letter word for snow-covered peaks
5D. Unrestrained, as a dog at a park
Hint: Eight-letter phrase describing a free-roaming pet
6D. Sandwich that might be served "triple-decker"
Hint: Three-letter sandwich with bacon, lettuce, and tomato
12D. Common battery type
Hint: Two-letter battery size for many household devices
14D. Chat ___
Hint: Three-letter AI model abbreviation
16D. It's for horses, in a classic joke punchline
Hint: Three-letter word for dried grass fed to animals
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Rock's ___ Leppard
Answer: DEF
4A. Cry a river
Answer: SOB
7A. Clean Air Act org.
Answer: EPA
8A. Org. that pays the Bills?
Answer: NFL
9A. Nintendo console with motion sensors
Answer: WII
10A. ___-quoted (frequently said)
Answer: OFT
11A. With 13-Across, narrow gap between the underside of a house and the ground
Answer: CRAWL
13A. See 11-Across
Answer: SPACE
14A. Young lady
Answer: GAL
15A. Ooh and ___
Answer: AAH
17A. Sports org. for Scottie Scheffler
Answer: PGA
18A. "Hey, just an F.Y.I. ...," informally
Answer: PSA
19A. When doubled, nickname for singer Swift
Answer: TAY
20A. Socially timid
Answer: SHY
Down Answers
1D. Morning moisture
Answer: DEW
2D. "Game of Thrones" or Homer's "Odyssey"
Answer: EPICSAGA
3D. Good sportsmanship
Answer: FAIRPLAY
4D. White mountain toppers
Answer: SNOWCAPS
5D. Unrestrained, as a dog at a park
Answer: OFFLEASH
6D. Sandwich that might be served "triple-decker"
Answer: BLT
12D. Common battery type
Answer: AA
14D. Chat ___
Answer: GPT
16D. It's for horses, in a classic joke punchline
Answer: HAY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Org. that pays the Bills?" for NFL. The clever wordplay references both the Buffalo Bills NFL team and the literal meaning of paying bills, creating a double entendre that rewards sports knowledge.
Wordplay Winner: "When doubled, nickname for singer Swift" for TAY. This clue uses the "doubled" instruction creatively, requiring solvers to think of "TAYTAY" as Taylor Swift's nickname rather than just the single word.
Quick Fill: "Young lady" for GAL. This straightforward clue with a common three-letter answer provides an easy entry point to build around, especially intersecting with other simple clues.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for sports abbreviations - today's grid featured NFL, PGA, and BLT (though the last is a sandwich, not a sports league). Recognizing common three-letter sports orgs can save precious seconds.
Pay attention to clue phrasing - "When doubled" in 19A signals you need a word that works as both a single unit and when repeated, a pattern that appears in crosswords regularly.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of pop culture (TAY, WII, GPT) and sports references (NFL, PGA) made for a balanced Saturday-sized challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
