Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Friday's grid brings a mix of timepieces, geography, and a punny groundhog that'll make you smirk. 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: 4D: "Apt name for a pet groundhog?", the pun is the whole game
Gimme Clue: 2D: "Singer of 'Hello' and 'Skyfall'", a global superstar
Theme Spotted: None today, pure wordplay and general knowledge
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Where you'll find two hands on one arm
Hint: It's on your wrist. Think analog, not digital.
6. State that's home to Shoshone Falls
Hint: A northwestern state. Its capital is Boise.
7. Linking point
Hint: A central connection where multiple things meet. Think crossroads.
8. Vote into office
Hint: What citizens do on Election Day. Five letters, starts with E.
9. Seats for office workers
Hint: Furniture found in cubicles. Five letters, starts with D.
Down Hints
1. ___ and dined
Hint: Past tense of a word meaning "treated lavishly." Pairs with "dined."
2. Singer of "Hello" and "Skyfall"
Hint: British powerhouse with a four-letter first name. Bond fans know her.
3. Some paycheck withholdings
Hint: April 15 is their deadline. Five letters, starts with T.
4. Apt name for a pet groundhog?
Hint: Think about what groundhogs are also called, and what you'd call a piece of wood.
5. "S.N.L." V.I.P.s
Hint: The weekly celebrities who run the show. Five letters, starts with H.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
---
---
---
---
---
Across Answers
1. Where you'll find two hands on one arm
Answer: WATCH
6. State that's home to Shoshone Falls
Answer: IDAHO
7. Linking point
Answer: NEXUS
8. Vote into office
Answer: ELECT
9. Seats for office workers
Answer: DESKS
Down Answers
1. ___ and dined
Answer: WINED
2. Singer of "Hello" and "Skyfall"
Answer: ADELE
3. Some paycheck withholdings
Answer: TAXES
4. Apt name for a pet groundhog?
Answer: CHUCK
5. "S.N.L." V.I.P.s
Answer: HOSTS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 4D "Apt name for a pet groundhog?" for CHUCK. The double meaning is chef's kiss, a groundhog is also known as a woodchuck, and "chuck" is both a piece of wood and a friendly name. That's a perfect Mini-caliber pun.
Wordplay Winner: 1A "Where you'll find two hands on one arm" for WATCH. The misdirection is clean, "hands" and "arm" point to human anatomy, but the answer is a timepiece. Classic crossword trickery executed well.
Quick Fill: 2D "Singer of 'Hello' and 'Skyfall'" for ADELE. If you've heard a radio in the last decade, this one's instant. Five letters, no ambiguity, straight to the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for anatomical misdirection. Clues that mention body parts like "hands" and "arm" often lead to non-biological answers, think WATCH, not BODY. It's one of the Mini's favorite tricks.
Pun clues almost always reward the literal-adjacent read. 4D's "pet groundhog" looks like a cute naming puzzle, but the real answer lives in the animal's alternate name. When a clue feels too cute, ask yourself what common phrase or synonym sits behind it.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether the CHUCK pun landed immediately or the WATCH misdirection had you second-guessing, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
