Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Saturday's 7x7 grid serves up a satisfying mix of superhero lore, political trivia, and clean 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: 7x7
Total Clues: 15 (9 Across, 6 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Batman villain played by Aaron Eckhart in 'The Dark Knight'", obscure movie trivia.
Gimme Clue: "Baby goat"
Theme Spotted: None today, a mix of pop culture, geography, and everyday vocabulary.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. The "I" of TGIF
Hint: Think of the middle letter in a common abbreviation for "Thank God It's Friday." Three letters, starts with I.
4A. "Psych!"
Hint: A three-letter word meaning "not" or "no way", often used to prank someone.
5A. Baby goat
Hint: A young animal, three letters. Also a word for a child.
8A. Batman villain played by Aaron Eckhart in "The Dark Knight"
Hint: Harvey Dent's alter ego. Seven letters, starts with T, ends with E.
10A. Repressive governments
Hint: Plural noun for authoritarian ruling systems. Seven letters, starts with R.
11A. Folding art
Hint: Japanese paper-folding craft. Seven letters, starts with O.
12A. Opposite direction of NNW
Hint: Think of the compass rose. If NNW is north-northwest, the opposite is three letters starting with S.
13A. Streaming issue caused by slow wi-fi
Hint: A three-letter word for delay or stutter in video playback.
14A. Raggedy ___ (doll)
Hint: The classic red-haired rag doll. Three letters, starts with A.
Down Hints
1D. Icebreakers, e.g.
Hint: Plural for conversation starters or introductory activities. Six letters, starts with I.
2D. "The Two ___" (second installment of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy)
Hint: Tolkien's middle volume. Six letters, starts with T.
3D. Cigar, informally
Hint: A slang term for a cheap cigar. Six letters, starts with S.
5D. Presidential candidate Harris
Hint: The first name of the former VP who ran for president in 2024. Six letters, starts with K.
6D. 2026 #1 album for Drake
Hint: A six-letter title, starts with I. Think cold, very cold.
7D. Word after "interior" or "intelligent"
Hint: A six-letter noun that can follow both words to describe a profession or field of study.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. The "I" of TGIF
Answer: ITS
4A. "Psych!"
Answer: NOT
5A. Baby goat
Answer: KID
8A. Batman villain played by Aaron Eckhart in "The Dark Knight"
Answer: TWOFACE
10A. Repressive governments
Answer: REGIMES
11A. Folding art
Answer: ORIGAMI
12A. Opposite direction of NNW
Answer: SSE
13A. Streaming issue caused by slow wi-fi
Answer: LAG
14A. Raggedy ___ (doll)
Answer: ANN
Down Answers
1D. Icebreakers, e.g.
Answer: INTROS
2D. "The Two ___" (second installment of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy)
Answer: TOWERS
3D. Cigar, informally
Answer: STOGIE
5D. Presidential candidate Harris
Answer: KAMALA
6D. 2026 #1 album for Drake
Answer: ICEMAN
7D. Word after "interior" or "intelligent"
Answer: DESIGN
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Batman villain played by Aaron Eckhart in 'The Dark Knight'" for TWOFACE. A deep-cut movie reference that rewards Nolan trilogy fans, Harvey Dent's tragic arc is one of the best Batman storylines, and the clue name-checks the actor to narrow the field.
Wordplay Winner: "The 'I' of TGIF" for ITS. A clever bit of letter extraction, the puzzle asks you to pull the third letter out of a common acronym. Simple, elegant, and the kind of cluing that makes the Mini shine.
Quick Fill: "Baby goat" for KID. Three letters, universal knowledge, zero hesitation. The perfect entry point for a Saturday grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Letter-extraction clues are shortcut gold. Clues like "The 'I' of TGIF" (ITS) appear frequently in Mini puzzles. Train yourself to read them as "pick the Nth letter", they're almost always three-letter answers that unlock surrounding words fast.
Pop culture and politics cross-pollinate. Today's grid pairs TWOFACE (film) with KAMALA (presidential candidate) and ICEMAN (Drake album). If you're stuck on a Down clue, check the Across intersections, a recognizable name or title can collapse multiple entries at once.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops at 6 p.m. EST today. How did today's grid treat you? Between the Batman deep cut, the Drake album reference, and that satisfying letter-extraction opener, there was plenty to keep you on your toes. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
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