Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid brings a 7x7 challenge with pop culture references, wordplay, and a meta clue about NYT games. 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: 7x7
Total Clues: 17 (8 Across, 9 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 13A. New York Times game with weaving, interconnected answers
Gimme Clue: 7A. Line up a shot
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. What people pay Extra for?
Hint: Think chewing product, not money
4A. Pre-meal prayer
Hint: A short blessing, also means elegance
6A. Physicist Bohr
Hint: Nobel Prize winner, first name
7A. Line up a shot
Hint: Three-letter verb for targeting
8A. Photo ___ (P.R. events)
Hint: Short for operations, three letters
10A. "Zootopia," but not "Zoolander"
Hint: Rating difference, starts with P
12A. TV show with the initials "TV"
Hint: Daytime talk show, two words
13A. New York Times game with weaving, interconnected answers
Hint: Recent NYT puzzle game, starts with S
Down Hints
1D. More bleak
Hint: Comparative of grim, seven letters
2D. Dubai's country, for short
Hint: Middle Eastern federation, three letters
3D. Nickname of Seth and Evan's friend in "Superbad"
Hint: Fake ID name from the movie
4D. "See you in the mornin'!"
Hint: Casual bedtime farewell, six letters
5D. Fancy term for "noticed"
Hint: Spotted or observed, six letters
7D. Many N.Y.C. addresses: Abbr.
Hint: Housing units abbreviation, four letters
9D. Uses a needle and thread
Hint: Basic clothing repair action, four letters
11D. Egg cells
Hint: Female reproductive cells, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. What people pay Extra for?
Answer: GUM
4A. Pre-meal prayer
Answer: GRACE
6A. Physicist Bohr
Answer: NIELS
7A. Line up a shot
Answer: AIM
8A. Photo ___ (P.R. events)
Answer: OPS
10A. "Zootopia," but not "Zoolander"
Answer: PGMOVIE
12A. TV show with the initials "TV"
Answer: THEVIEW
13A. New York Times game with weaving, interconnected answers
Answer: STRANDS
Down Answers
1D. More bleak
Answer: GRIMMER
2D. Dubai's country, for short
Answer: UAE
3D. Nickname of Seth and Evan's friend in "Superbad"
Answer: MCLOVIN
4D. "See you in the mornin'!"
Answer: GNIGHT
5D. Fancy term for "noticed"
Answer: ESPIED
7D. Many N.Y.C. addresses: Abbr.
Answer: APTS
9D. Uses a needle and thread
Answer: SEWS
11D. Egg cells
Answer: OVA
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 13A. New York Times game with weaving, interconnected answers for STRANDS. This meta clue requires knowledge of NYT's newer puzzle offerings beyond crosswords, making it a Saturday-level challenge.
Wordplay Winner: 10A. "Zootopia," but not "Zoolander" for PGMOVIE. Cleverly contrasts two Z-titled films by their MPAA ratings rather than content.
Quick Fill: 7A. Line up a shot for AIM. Three-letter common verb that most solvers will fill instantly.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for pop culture references in Saturday puzzles, today's grid includes Superbad, Zootopia, and The View. Knowing these gives you quick entries.
When you see "for short" or "abbr." clues like 2D and 7D, think compact answers. UAE and APTS are typical crossword fill.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops at 6 p.m. EST today. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of pop culture and wordplay made for a classic Saturday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
