Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Friday's grid brings a flock of bird-themed answers wrapped in a tight 5x5 package. 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: 7-Across "Test for fifth-year Hogwarts students", requires Harry Potter knowledge
Gimme Clue: 3-Down "Female sheep", pure vocabulary, three letters, no tricks
Theme Spotted: Birds. Every Across answer ties to birds, anchored by 1-Across referencing Hitchcock's "The Birds"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. "___ Birds" (Hitchcock film that suggests this puzzle's theme)
Hint: A three-letter definite article. Starts with T.
4. Loudly brag
Hint: Think of the sound a rooster makes. Four letters, starts with C.
5. Stretch out one's neck
Hint: A long-necked bird, also a piece of construction equipment. Five letters, starts with C.
6. Advocate of war
Hint: A bird of prey known for its sharp vision. Four letters, starts with H.
7. Test for fifth-year Hogwarts students
Hint: A nocturnal bird. Three letters. Harry Potter fans will get this instantly.
Down Hints
1. Fish using a large net
Hint: Drag a net through the water. Five letters, starts with T.
2. Call from a Canada goose
Hint: The sound a car horn makes. Four letters, starts with H.
3. Female sheep
Hint: Three letters. Starts with E. A common crossword staple.
4. Stick in one's ___ (bird-related idiom)
Hint: A bird's crop. Four letters, starts with C. Think "stuck in your throat."
5. Comedian Margaret
Hint: Three letters. Last name of the stand-up comedian and actress. Starts with C.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. "___ Birds" (Hitchcock film that suggests this puzzle's theme)
Answer: THE
4. Loudly brag
Answer: CROW
5. Stretch out one's neck
Answer: CRANE
6. Advocate of war
Answer: HAWK
7. Test for fifth-year Hogwarts students
Answer: OWL
Down Answers
1. Fish using a large net
Answer: TRAWL
2. Call from a Canada goose
Answer: HONK
3. Female sheep
Answer: EWE
4. Stick in one's ___ (bird-related idiom)
Answer: CRAW
5. Comedian Margaret
Answer: CHO
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1-Across "___ Birds" (Hitchcock film that suggests this puzzle's theme) for THE. The clue does double duty, it's a straightforward fill-in-the-blank for Hitchcock's 1963 classic, but it also tips you off that every Across answer in this grid is a bird or bird-related word. A meta-clue that rewards attentive solvers.
Wordplay Winner: 4-Down "Stick in one's ___ (bird-related idiom)" for CRAW. The idiom "stick in one's craw" means something you can't accept, and craw is the bird's crop (throat pouch). The puzzle gives you a bird theme hint right in the clue, making the connection satisfying rather than obscure.
Quick Fill: 3-Down "Female sheep" for EWE. It's the most common crossword three-letter word in the book. If you've done crosswords before, this is muscle memory territory.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Theme-spotting is your fastest shortcut. When 1-Across references a Hitchcock film about birds and the answers include CROW, CRANE, HAWK, and OWL, you're in a themed grid. Once you identify the pattern, the remaining answers click faster because your brain is already in the right category.
Crossword staples like EWE (female sheep) and THE (definite article) are freebies. Memorize the short fill words that appear constantly, EWE, ORE, ERA, ALE, ELF, and you'll shave seconds off every solve. These are the building blocks that connect the more interesting answers.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether the bird theme had you soaring or the Hogwarts reference took you back to your school days, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
