Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Monday's grid brings a 6×5 layout with rock band trivia and tech references. 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: 6×5
Total Clues: 11 (5 Across, 6 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 5A. "Stuck doing the same old, same old" (requires idiom knowledge)
Gimme Clue: 5D. "What Apple smartphones run on" (common tech knowledge)
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 band with albums like "High Voltage" and "Flick of the Switch"
Hint: Australian hard rock band known for lightning bolt logo
5A. Stuck doing the same old, same old
Hint: Three-word phrase meaning stuck in routine
7A. Burning up
Hint: Two-word phrase meaning performing exceptionally well
8A. "-tion," for one
Hint: Grammatical term for word ending
9A. Jared of 2025's "Tron: Ares"
Hint: Actor's last name, four letters
Down Hints
1D. Declare void, as a marriage
Hint: Legal term, five letters
2D. ___ macchiato (espresso drink)
Hint: Italian word for coffee, five letters
3D. Begin to veer off the road, say
Hint: What cars do when losing traction
4D. Odd little trinket
Hint: Five-letter word for unusual collectible
5D. What Apple smartphones run on
Hint: Three-letter mobile operating system
6D. ___-Mex cuisine
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for Texas
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Rock band with albums like "High Voltage" and "Flick of the Switch"
Answer: ACDC
5A. Stuck doing the same old, same old
Answer: INARUT
7A. Burning up
Answer: ONFIRE
8A. "-tion," for one
Answer: SUFFIX
9A. Jared of 2025's "Tron: Ares"
Answer: LETO
Down Answers
1D. Declare void, as a marriage
Answer: ANNUL
2D. ___ macchiato (espresso drink)
Answer: CAFFE
3D. Begin to veer off the road, say
Answer: DRIFT
4D. Odd little trinket
Answer: CURIO
5D. What Apple smartphones run on
Answer: IOS
6D. ___-Mex cuisine
Answer: TEX
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5A "Stuck doing the same old, same old" for INARUT. This idiom clue requires cultural knowledge beyond simple vocabulary.
Wordplay Winner: 7A "Burning up" for ONFIRE. Clever double meaning - both literal heat and figurative exceptional performance.
Quick Fill: 5D "What Apple smartphones run on" for IOS. Instant recognition for anyone with modern tech awareness.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for tech abbreviations - today's grid had both IOS and TEX, showing how crossword constructors love compact tech terms.
Recognize idiom patterns - clues like "same old, same old" signal multi-word answers that fill specific grid spaces.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of rock band trivia (ACDC) and tech terms (IOS) made for an interesting Monday solve. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
