Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid brings a 7x7 challenge packed with film trivia, animal references, and political jargon. Tougher than the weekday Mini, but nothing you can't crack with the right nudge.
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: 13 (7 Across, 6 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 4D: "2025 film starring Emma Stone as an undercover extraterrestrial", obscure movie title knowledge required
Gimme Clue: 9D: "Donkey, by another name", a three-letter gimme
Theme Spotted: None today.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Strike-breaking workers
Hint: Workers who cross picket lines. Five letters, starts with S, ends with S.
6. Really overdo for the camera
Hint: What actors do when they chew the scenery. Five letters, two words combined.
7. Fly into ___ (become furious)
Hint: A synonym for "rage" but with an article before it. Five letters total.
8. Sunniest state in the U.S.
Hint: The Grand Canyon State. Seven letters.
10. Glues back together again
Hint: What you do to a broken vase. Seven letters, starts with RE.
11. Friends of corrupt politicians
Hint: Insiders who get favors. Seven letters, starts with C.
12. What cotton candy is made of
Hint: A sweet crystalline substance. Five letters.
Down Hints
1. Ones who don't hog
Hint: People willing to split the last slice. Seven letters, starts with S.
2. Deer in the Arctic tundra
Hint: Santa's reindeer species. Seven letters.
3. "Incredible!!" ... as suggested by the double exclamation mark black squares
Hint: A word for "astonishing" that fits the pattern of two !! symbols. Seven letters.
4. 2025 film starring Emma Stone as an undercover extraterrestrial
Hint: The title sounds like a botanical name. Seven letters.
5. Big ___ (person throwing cash around)
Hint: Someone who spends lavishly. Seven letters, starts with S.
8. Curved path
Hint: Part of a circle. Three letters.
9. Donkey, by another name
Hint: Three-letter animal, rhymes with "lass."
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Strike-breaking workers
Answer: SCABS
6. Really overdo for the camera
Answer: HAMUP
7. Fly into ___ (become furious)
Answer: ARAGE
8. Sunniest state in the U.S.
Answer: ARIZONA
10. Glues back together again
Answer: REBINDS
11. Friends of corrupt politicians
Answer: CRONIES
12. What cotton candy is made of
Answer: SUGAR
Down Answers
1. Ones who don't hog
Answer: SHARERS
2. Deer in the Arctic tundra
Answer: CARIBOU
3. "Incredible!!" ... as suggested by the double exclamation mark black squares
Answer: AMAZING
4. 2025 film starring Emma Stone as an undercover extraterrestrial
Answer: BUGONIA
5. Big ___ (person throwing cash around)
Answer: SPENDER
8. Curved path
Answer: ARC
9. Donkey, by another name
Answer: ASS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 4D "2025 film starring Emma Stone as an undercover extraterrestrial" for BUGONIA. This is a deep cut, a niche movie reference that rewards film buffs and punishes everyone else. The answer itself sounds like a plant genus, making it a tough decode even when you're close.
Wordplay Winner: 3D "Incredible!! ... as suggested by the double exclamation mark black squares" for AMAZING. The constructor used the grid's black squares as visual punctuation, two !! symbols in the puzzle layout directly hint at the answer. Clever use of the physical grid itself as a clue.
Quick Fill: 9D "Donkey, by another name" for ASS. Three letters, common knowledge, instant fill. The kind of clue that gets you started and builds momentum.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
When you see a clue with a year (like "2025 film"), scan for recent pop culture. The Mini loves dropping timely references, staying current with movies and media pays off in seconds saved.
Watch for visual gimmicks in the grid layout. Today's double exclamation mark squares (3D) prove that the constructor sometimes uses the puzzle's physical design as part of the clue. If a clue seems oddly phrased, check if the black squares are doing double duty.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops at 6 p.m. EST today, Sunday's puzzle arrives early. How did today's grid treat you? Whether you nailed BUGONIA on the first pass or needed every hint, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
