Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid brings a 7x7 mix of geography, Greek letters, and pop culture. 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: 24 (14 Across, 10 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "The Australian continent moves subtly this direction each year (about 3 inches)"
Gimme Clue: "More courageous"
Theme Spotted: Mixed bag - Greek letters, geography, and pop culture
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Org. with a Slam Dunk Contest
Hint: Professional basketball league with three letters
4A. Menacing creature in "The Lord of the Rings"
Hint: Tolkien's evil humanoid, three letters
7A. Spherical shape
Hint: Round object, three letters
8A. Greek "r"
Hint: Greek letter that looks like P, three letters
9A. Symbol on Hawaii's license plate
Hint: Colorful arc in the sky, seven letters
11A. Magazine with show listings
Hint: TV schedule publication, seven letters
12A. Showed support to, as a text message
Hint: Reacted with a heart emoji, seven letters
13A. Moves up the rankings
Hint: Climbs or ascends, five letters
14A. Kind of lighting whose first letter stands for "light"
Hint: Energy-efficient bulb type, three letters
Down Hints
1D. The Australian continent moves subtly this direction each year (about 3 inches)
Hint: Compass direction opposite of south, five letters
2D. More courageous
Hint: Comparative form of brave, six letters
3D. Virginia governor Spanberger
Hint: First name of current Virginia governor, seven letters
4D. Went around the world?
Hint: Circled a planet, seven letters
5D. Colossus of ___, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Hint: Greek island with a famous statue, six letters
6D. Intimidated
Hint: Frightened or scared off, five letters
10D. Hospital worker
Hint: Medical professional who cares for patients, five letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Org. with a Slam Dunk Contest
Answer: NBA
4A. Menacing creature in "The Lord of the Rings"
Answer: ORC
7A. Spherical shape
Answer: ORB
8A. Greek "r"
Answer: RHO
9A. Symbol on Hawaii's license plate
Answer: RAINBOW
11A. Magazine with show listings
Answer: TVGUIDE
12A. Showed support to, as a text message
Answer: HEARTED
13A. Moves up the rankings
Answer: RISES
14A. Kind of lighting whose first letter stands for "light"
Answer: LED
Down Answers
1D. The Australian continent moves subtly this direction each year (about 3 inches)
Answer: NORTH
2D. More courageous
Answer: BRAVER
3D. Virginia governor Spanberger
Answer: ABIGAIL
4D. Went around the world?
Answer: ORBITED
5D. Colossus of ___, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Answer: RHODES
6D. Intimidated
Answer: COWED
10D. Hospital worker
Answer: NURSE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "The Australian continent moves subtly this direction each year (about 3 inches)" for NORTH. This requires specific geological knowledge about tectonic plate movement that most solvers won't have at their fingertips.
Wordplay Winner: "Kind of lighting whose first letter stands for 'light'" for LED. Clever self-referential clue where the answer explains its own acronym.
Quick Fill: "More courageous" for BRAVER. Straightforward synonym clue that most solvers can fill instantly.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for Greek letters in Saturday puzzles - RHO appears frequently and crosses with RHODES, creating a helpful letter pattern.
Three-letter sports abbreviations like NBA are common fill - memorize the major leagues to save time on these gimmes.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops at 6 p.m. EST today. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of geography, Greek letters, and pop culture kept things interesting. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
