Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid brings a clever mix of tech references and wordplay connections. 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: "One giving you the dish?" for WAITER - wordplay on "dish" meaning both plate and gossip
Gimme Clue: "Book parts: Abbr." for PGS - straightforward abbreviation
Theme Spotted: Wordplay connections with WAYMO/WAYMORE and work/transportation theme
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Book parts: Abbr.
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for pages
4A. Silicon Valley company that operates a fleet of robotaxis
Hint: Alphabet's self-driving car subsidiary
6A. To a much greater degree
Hint: Comparative form of "way" plus "more"
8A. Contents of a scuba diver's tank
Hint: What we breathe, three letters
9A. South Korean automaker
Hint: Three-letter car brand known for affordable vehicles
10A. Stop on a train route
Hint: Where trains pick up and drop off passengers
12A. Actress Merman of "Anything Goes"
Hint: Broadway legend with a five-letter first name
13A. Find another purpose for
Hint: Repurpose or recycle, five letters
Down Hints
1D. Employee's hourly calculation
Hint: Wage per hour, seven letters
2D. Workout spot
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for exercise facility
3D. "Great" mountains of Tennessee, familiarly
Hint: National park mountains, eight letters
4D. One giving you the dish?
Hint: Restaurant staff member, six letters
5D. Baltimore M.L.B. player
Hint: Baseball team bird, six letters
6D. Used to be
Hint: Past tense of "is", three letters
7D. Suffix with Caesar or Euclid
Hint: Three-letter suffix meaning "relating to"
11D. Night that NBC once aired "30 Rock" and "The Office": Abbr.
Hint: Thursday abbreviation, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Book parts: Abbr.
Answer: PGS
4A. Silicon Valley company that operates a fleet of robotaxis
Answer: WAYMO
6A. To a much greater degree
Answer: WAYMORE
8A. Contents of a scuba diver's tank
Answer: AIR
9A. South Korean automaker
Answer: KIA
10A. Stop on a train route
Answer: STATION
12A. Actress Merman of "Anything Goes"
Answer: ETHEL
13A. Find another purpose for
Answer: REUSE
Down Answers
1D. Employee's hourly calculation
Answer: PAYRATE
2D. Workout spot
Answer: GYM
3D. "Great" mountains of Tennessee, familiarly
Answer: SMOKIES
4D. One giving you the dish?
Answer: WAITER
5D. Baltimore M.L.B. player
Answer: ORIOLE
6D. Used to be
Answer: WAS
7D. Suffix with Caesar or Euclid
Answer: EAN
11D. Night that NBC once aired "30 Rock" and "The Office": Abbr.
Answer: THU
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "One giving you the dish?" for WAITER. The wordplay on "dish" meaning both a plate and gossip made this clue clever and memorable.
Wordplay Winner: "To a much greater degree" for WAYMORE. This clue connects directly with 4A's WAYMO, creating a satisfying wordplay link that rewards observant solvers.
Quick Fill: "Book parts: Abbr." for PGS. This straightforward abbreviation clue provides an easy entry point to start filling the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for wordplay connections between adjacent answers - WAYMO and WAYMORE show how constructors link related answers for clever solvers.
Recognize common three-letter abbreviations early - PGS, GYM, KIA, and THU all provide quick entry points that help unlock longer intersecting answers.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops at 6 p.m. EST today. How did today's grid treat you? The WAYMO/WAYMORE connection and WAITER's clever wordplay made this Saturday puzzle particularly satisfying. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
