Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid brings a 7x7 mix of pop culture deep cuts and modern slang. 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: 16 (8 Across, 8 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Second-best-selling female musician of all time, behind Taylor Swift"
Gimme Clue: "This clue number"
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. "Jersey Shore" channel
Hint: Music television network that launched reality TV hits
4A. "___ Knows" (rhyming ad slogan)
Hint: Home improvement retailer with orange branding
6A. Second-best-selling female musician of all time, behind Taylor Swift
Hint: 80s pop icon known for "Like a Virgin"
8A. Whiskey grain
Hint: Three-letter grain used in some American whiskeys
9A. Dreaded workday: Abbr.
Hint: First three letters of the week's opening day
10A. Backfiring blunder, in modern lingo
Hint: Internet slang for embarrassing yourself
12A. Lengthy sheet for a complicated board game, perhaps
Hint: What you read before playing Monopoly
13A. Subtle "Yes"
Hint: Silent head movement indicating agreement
Down Hints
1D. In which high schoolers might role-play as ambassadors
Hint: Academic simulation of United Nations proceedings
2D. This clue number
Hint: The number you're reading right now
3D. Paid via app, perhaps
Hint: Digital payment platform owned by PayPal
4D. Coat of paint
Hint: What you apply when repainting a wall
5D. Falls in winter, say
Hint: White precipitation in cold months
6D. Married title
Hint: Abbreviation for a married woman
7D. ___ Arbor, Mich.
Hint: First name of a Michigan university town
11D. Woman in Progressive ads
Hint: Insurance company's cheerful spokesperson
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. "Jersey Shore" channel
Answer: MTV
4A. "___ Knows" (rhyming ad slogan)
Answer: LOWES
6A. Second-best-selling female musician of all time, behind Taylor Swift
Answer: MADONNA
8A. Whiskey grain
Answer: RYE
9A. Dreaded workday: Abbr.
Answer: MON
10A. Backfiring blunder, in modern lingo
Answer: SELFOWN
12A. Lengthy sheet for a complicated board game, perhaps
Answer: RULES
13A. Subtle "Yes"
Answer: NOD
Down Answers
1D. In which high schoolers might role-play as ambassadors
Answer: MODELUN
2D. This clue number
Answer: TWO
3D. Paid via app, perhaps
Answer: VENMOED
4D. Coat of paint
Answer: LAYER
5D. Falls in winter, say
Answer: SNOWS
6D. Married title
Answer: MRS
7D. ___ Arbor, Mich.
Answer: ANN
11D. Woman in Progressive ads
Answer: FLO
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Second-best-selling female musician of all time, behind Taylor Swift" for MADONNA. This requires specific music industry knowledge beyond casual recognition.
Wordplay Winner: "This clue number" for TWO. A clever meta-clue that points solvers to the clue number itself.
Quick Fill: "Whiskey grain" for RYE. Straightforward three-letter answer that most solvers will nail instantly.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for modern slang clues like "Backfiring blunder, in modern lingo" (SELFOWN). Internet terminology appears more frequently in recent puzzles.
Saturday's expanded 7x7 grid means more crossing opportunities. Use longer answers like MADONNA and MODELUN to lock in multiple intersecting letters.
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 deep cuts and modern slang tested both your trivia knowledge and internet literacy. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
