Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Monday's grid brings a straightforward 5x5 with everyday vocabulary and a few clever wordplay twists. 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: 2D. Useful ... or a useful draw in Scrabble when you have a "Q"
Gimme Clue: 1A. "Yeah, why not!"
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. "Yeah, why not!"
Hint: Casual affirmative, three letters, opposite of "no"
5A. Collector's ___
Hint: What collectors seek, four letters, often rare or valuable
6A. Worker who frequently takes off
Hint: Aviation professional, five letters, flies planes
8A. Stressful way to run
Hint: Behind schedule, four letters, opposite of early
9A. Crossed (out)
Hint: Past tense of marking through text, four letters, starts with E
Down Hints
1D. Tiny drink
Hint: Small taste, three letters, what you do with a straw
2D. Useful ... or a useful draw in Scrabble when you have a "Q"
Hint: Scrabble word that pairs with Q, five letters, means practical
3D. Chill
Hint: Relax, unwind, five letters, opposite of stress
4D. Be expressive with one's feelings
Hint: Show emotion dramatically, five letters, theatrical term
7D. TV's "___ Lasso"
Hint: Apple TV+ series character, three letters, starts with T
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. "Yeah, why not!"
Answer: SURE
5A. Collector's ___
Answer: ITEM
6A. Worker who frequently takes off
Answer: PILOT
8A. Stressful way to run
Answer: LATE
9A. Crossed (out)
Answer: EXED
Down Answers
1D. Tiny drink
Answer: SIP
2D. Useful ... or a useful draw in Scrabble when you have a "Q"
Answer: UTILE
3D. Chill
Answer: RELAX
4D. Be expressive with one's feelings
Answer: EMOTE
7D. TV's "___ Lasso"
Answer: TED
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 2D for UTILE. The Scrabble reference adds a clever layer, UTILE is one of the few words that can follow Q, making it valuable in the game.
Wordplay Winner: 6A for PILOT. "Worker who frequently takes off" works both literally (pilots take off in planes) and figuratively (someone who leaves work early).
Quick Fill: 1A for SURE. Straightforward conversational clue that most solvers will get instantly, providing an easy entry point.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for double meanings in short clues. "Takes off" could mean departing or flying, both apply to PILOT.
Recognize pop culture references quickly. TED Lasso is a recent TV series, and three-letter names are common crossword fill.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The Scrabble hint for UTILE and the double meaning in PILOT showed the Mini's knack for packing cleverness into small spaces. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
