Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Monday's grid brings a winter sports theme with snowboarding 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: 5x5
Total Clues: 10 (5 Across, 5 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 5A. ___ Kim, Olympian whose name aptly rhymes with "snowy"
Gimme Clue: 4D. Piano's set of 88
Theme Spotted: Winter sports and snowboarding references
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Stopper that may get popped
Hint: Wine bottle closure, often made from tree bark
5A. ___ Kim, Olympian whose name aptly rhymes with "snowy"
Hint: American freestyle skier, gold medalist, first name starts with C
6A. Like terrain that's good for sledding
Hint: Sloping, uneven ground, opposite of flat
7A. Diabolical deeds
Hint: Wicked acts, plural form of something very bad
8A. Lawyer's charges
Hint: What attorneys bill for their services
Down Hints
1D. Green additive to cream cheese
Hint: Herb often used in dips and spreads, related to onion
2D. Basic jump in snowboarding
Hint: Fundamental aerial trick, named after a skateboarder
3D. Nose ___ (snowboarding moves)
Hint: Rotations or tumbles, what a gymnast might do
4D. Piano's set of 88
Hint: What you press to make music, also opens doors
5D. Title for Carmy or Sydney on "The Bear"
Hint: Kitchen leader, runs a restaurant
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Stopper that may get popped
Answer: CORK
5A. ___ Kim, Olympian whose name aptly rhymes with "snowy"
Answer: CHLOE
6A. Like terrain that's good for sledding
Answer: HILLY
7A. Diabolical deeds
Answer: EVILS
8A. Lawyer's charges
Answer: FEES
Down Answers
1D. Green additive to cream cheese
Answer: CHIVE
2D. Basic jump in snowboarding
Answer: OLLIE
3D. Nose ___ (snowboarding moves)
Answer: ROLLS
4D. Piano's set of 88
Answer: KEYS
5D. Title for Carmy or Sydney on "The Bear"
Answer: CHEF
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5A for CHLOE. The clue "___ Kim, Olympian whose name aptly rhymes with 'snowy'" was clever wordplay that required specific knowledge of freestyle skier Chloe Kim while also playing on the winter theme.
Wordplay Winner: 1A for CORK. "Stopper that may get popped" creates vivid imagery of both wine corks and the action of popping them, a classic crossword clue construction.
Quick Fill: 4D for KEYS. "Piano's set of 88" is a crossword staple that most solvers will recognize instantly, providing an easy entry point to the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for theme clusters: Today's puzzle featured multiple snowboarding terms (OLLIE, ROLLS) and winter references (CHLOE Kim, HILLY terrain). When you spot one theme clue, scan for related answers.
Use common crossword fill: Answers like KEYS, FEES, and EVILS appear frequently in puzzles. Recognizing these standard fill words quickly can help you lock in intersecting letters.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The winter sports theme with CHLOE Kim and snowboarding terms OLLIE and ROLLS created a cohesive Monday puzzle. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
