Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Monday's grid brings a timely mix of Olympic gold 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: 8A - Olympic figure skater reference
Gimme Clue: 4D - Text reaction button
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. Often-skipped parts of podcasts
Hint: Think of what interrupts your favorite shows. Three letters, starts with A.
4A. Netherlands city that's home to the International Court of Justice, with "The"
Hint: Dutch city known for international law. Five letters, starts with H.
6A. Stopped sleeping
Hint: Opposite of "slept." Five letters, starts with A.
7A. Contents of a bear-shaped bottle
Hint: Sweet, sticky substance. Five letters, starts with H.
8A. ___ Liu, gold medal-winning figure skater at the 2026 Olympics
Hint: First name of a recent Olympic champion. Five letters, starts with A.
Down Hints
1D. Sheer torment
Hint: Extreme suffering. Five letters, starts with A.
2D. "The ___ of Hazzard"
Hint: Classic TV show about car chases. Five letters, starts with D.
3D. "Catch you later!"
Hint: Casual farewell. Five letters, starts with S.
4D. Text reaction button between "thumbs up" and " double exclamation"
Hint: Laughing reaction. Four letters, starts with H.
5D. Nowhere to be found, for short
Hint: Military abbreviation for absent. Four letters, starts with A.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Often-skipped parts of podcasts
Answer: ADS
4A. Netherlands city that's home to the International Court of Justice, with "The"
Answer: HAGUE
6A. Stopped sleeping
Answer: AWOKE
7A. Contents of a bear-shaped bottle
Answer: HONEY
8A. ___ Liu, gold medal-winning figure skater at the 2026 Olympics
Answer: ALYSA
Down Answers
1D. Sheer torment
Answer: AGONY
2D. "The ___ of Hazzard"
Answer: DUKES
3D. "Catch you later!"
Answer: SEEYA
4D. Text reaction button between "thumbs up" and "double exclamation"
Answer: HAHA
5D. Nowhere to be found, for short
Answer: AWOL
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 8A for ALYSA. Timely reference to the 2026 Winter Olympics that just concluded earlier this year, testing current events knowledge.
Wordplay Winner: 1A for ADS. Cleverly captures the universal podcast experience of skipping commercial breaks.
Quick Fill: 4D for HAHA. Anyone who uses messaging apps instantly recognizes this common reaction button.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for timely references - the 2026 Olympics clue (8A) was fresh from earlier this year, showing how current events can appear quickly in puzzles.
Recognize common abbreviations - clues like "for short" (5D) often signal military or organizational acronyms like AWOL.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The Olympic reference tested your current events knowledge while the podcast ads clue kept things relatable. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
