Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Monday's grid brings a straightforward mix of pop culture, mythology, and everyday 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: "Late actress Catherine of 'Schitt's Creek'" (6A) - requires specific TV knowledge
Gimme Clue: "Blues, e.g." (1A) - straightforward category clue
Theme Spotted: None today - standard Monday mix
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Blues, e.g.
Hint: Category of artistic expression, five letters
6A. Late actress Catherine of "Schitt's Creek"
Hint: Canadian actress, five letters, starts with O
7A. List included with a board game
Hint: Instructions or guidelines, five letters
8A. April Fools' shenanigan
Hint: Practical joke or trick, five letters
9A. Greek god of the underworld
Hint: Brother of Zeus and Poseidon, five letters
Down Hints
1D. Transform gradually
Hint: Change shape or form, five letters
2D. "Star Trek" officer portrayed by Zoe Saldaña
Hint: Communications officer, five letters, starts with U
3D. Greens, e.g.
Hint: Healthy dish often with lettuce, five letters
4D. Woman's name that's an anagram of ERNIE
Hint: Five-letter name, rearrange the letters of ERNIE
5D. Containers for reds and whites
Hint: Wine storage vessels, five letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Blues, e.g.
Answer: MUSIC
6A. Late actress Catherine of "Schitt's Creek"
Answer: OHARA
7A. List included with a board game
Answer: RULES
8A. April Fools' shenanigan
Answer: PRANK
9A. Greek god of the underworld
Answer: HADES
Down Answers
1D. Transform gradually
Answer: MORPH
2D. "Star Trek" officer portrayed by Zoe Saldaña
Answer: UHURA
3D. Greens, e.g.
Answer: SALAD
4D. Woman's name that's an anagram of ERNIE
Answer: IRENE
5D. Containers for reds and whites
Answer: CASKS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Woman's name that's an anagram of ERNIE" for IRENE. Clever wordplay that requires solvers to rearrange letters rather than think of a direct definition.
Wordplay Winner: "Transform gradually" for MORPH. Straightforward definition but with a modern twist - "morph" has become common tech/gaming terminology beyond its biological origins.
Quick Fill: "Blues, e.g." for MUSIC. Classic category clue that most solvers will get instantly, providing crucial starting letters for intersecting words.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Monday puzzles favor direct definitions over tricky wordplay. When you see simple category clues like "Blues, e.g." or "Greens, e.g.", trust your first instinct - they're usually straightforward fill.
Watch for anagram indicators. "Transform gradually" (1D) hints at MORPH, but also signals that other clues might involve letter rearrangement, like the ERNIE/IRENE connection.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of pop culture (OHARA, UHURA) and mythology (HADES) kept things interesting. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
