Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Monday's grid brings a clean, approachable 5x5 that rewards vocabulary range and quick associations. 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: 4-Down "Lhasa ___ (dog breed)", APSO isn't common knowledge unless you're a breed enthusiast.
Gimme Clue: 9-Across "Buddy", this is about as straightforward as it gets.
Theme Spotted: None today, a clean Monday grid with no overarching theme.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Word for "dad" in Spanish, Italian, Russian and Hindi
Hint: It's a repeating two-letter pattern. Think of what a toddler might call their father in many languages.
5. Go crazy, as a crowd
Hint: A volcano does this. Five letters, starts with E.
7. Drink with a red, white and blue logo
Hint: The third-largest soft drink brand globally. Not Coke, not Sprite.
8. Philadelphia M.L.S. team
Hint: Think of what brings people together. Five letters, starts with U.
9. Buddy
Hint: Three letters. A synonym for friend, mate, or chum.
Down Hints
1. Make more exciting
Hint: Add some zest or energy. Five letters, starts with P. It's a verb that means "to liven up."
2. Madison Square Garden, e.g.
Hint: A venue for concerts and sports. Five letters, starts with A.
3. Center of the eye
Hint: It dilates in low light. Five letters, starts with P.
4. Lhasa ___ (dog breed)
Hint: A small Tibetan breed. Four letters, starts with A. The name comes from the capital of Tibet.
6. Element #50
Hint: Atomic number 50 on the periodic table. Three letters. Used in solder and cans.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Word for "dad" in Spanish, Italian, Russian and Hindi
Answer: PAPA
5. Go crazy, as a crowd
Answer: ERUPT
7. Drink with a red, white and blue logo
Answer: PEPSI
8. Philadelphia M.L.S. team
Answer: UNION
9. Buddy
Answer: PAL
Down Answers
1. Make more exciting
Answer: PEPUP
2. Madison Square Garden, e.g.
Answer: ARENA
3. Center of the eye
Answer: PUPIL
4. Lhasa ___ (dog breed)
Answer: APSO
6. Element #50
Answer: TIN
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 4-Down "Lhasa ___ (dog breed)" for APSO. This is the kind of clue that separates casual solvers from crossword regulars, it's a specific breed name that doesn't come up in everyday conversation, but it's a staple in puzzle grids because of its vowel-heavy letter set and intersection-friendly structure.
Wordplay Winner: 1-Down "Make more exciting" for PEPUP. It's a phrasal verb that feels almost onomatopoeic, "pep" is already a word for energy, and "up" adds the directional sense of elevation. Simple, satisfying, and exactly what the clue promises.
Quick Fill: 9-Across "Buddy" for PAL. Three letters, zero ambiguity. PAL is a crossword staple that you'll recognize instantly once you've spent any time with puzzles.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Look for the multilingual gimme first. 1-Across "PAPA" appears in at least four languages, which means it's a high-confidence fill that anchors the top of the grid. When you spot a clue referencing multiple languages, the answer is almost always a short, universal word with repeating letters.
Watch for the P-pattern across the top-left quadrant. 1-Across (PAPA), 1-Down (PEPUP), and 3-Down (PUPIL) all start with P, and 3-Down even mirrors the P-A-P-A vowel structure. Recognizing these letter patterns early helps you chain fills across the grid faster.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? If 4-Down's "APSO" tripped you up, you're not alone, obscure dog breeds are a recurring crossword trick. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
