Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid brings a spring cleaning theme with clever wordplay and pop culture nods. 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: 7x8
Total Clues: 20 (11 Across, 9 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "___ G BIV (color mnemonic)" - requires rainbow knowledge
Gimme Clue: "Gorilla or chimpanzee" - straightforward animal category
Theme Spotted: Spring cleaning decisions (Keep, Donate, Toss)
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Spring Cleaning Box 1: I still love it!
Hint: Opposite of discard, four letters
5A. First name of poet Poe
Hint: American writer, five letters, starts with E
7A. Let ___ be ___
Hint: Complete the phrase about forgiveness, seven letters
9A. Gorilla or chimpanzee
Hint: Primate category, three letters
10A. Clock setting in the U.K.: Abbr.
Hint: Time zone abbreviation, three letters
11A. Eugene Levy, to Dan Levy
Hint: Family relationship, three letters
12A. ___ G BIV (color mnemonic)
Hint: Rainbow sequence starter, three letters
13A. Spring Cleaning Box 2: Someone else will love it!
Hint: Give to charity, six letters
15A. "If you don't like it, that's your problem!"
Hint: Defiant two-word phrase, five letters total
16A. Spring Cleaning Box 3: It's worthless!
Hint: Throw away, four letters
Down Hints
1D. Panels of buttons on which passcodes are entered
Hint: Security device, seven letters
2D. Just barely defeated
Hint: Won by a small margin, eight letters
3D. A narcissist has a big one
Hint: Self-importance, three letters
4D. High-scoring words in Spelling Bee
Hint: Words using all letters, eight letters
6D. Channel changers
Hint: TV control devices, seven letters
7D. ___ Bunny, musician known as the "King of Latin Trap"
Hint: Adjective meaning not good, three letters
8D. Painful eye malady
Hint: Eyelid infection, four letters
14D. Prefix for a modern genre
Hint: Means new or recent, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Spring Cleaning Box 1: I still love it!
Answer: KEEP
5A. First name of poet Poe
Answer: EDGAR
7A. Let ___ be ___
Answer: BYGONES
9A. Gorilla or chimpanzee
Answer: APE
10A. Clock setting in the U.K.: Abbr.
Answer: GMT
11A. Eugene Levy, to Dan Levy
Answer: DAD
12A. ___ G BIV (color mnemonic)
Answer: ROY
13A. Spring Cleaning Box 2: Someone else will love it!
Answer: DONATE
15A. "If you don't like it, that's your problem!"
Answer: SUEME
16A. Spring Cleaning Box 3: It's worthless!
Answer: TOSS
Down Answers
1D. Panels of buttons on which passcodes are entered
Answer: KEYPADS
2D. Just barely defeated
Answer: EDGEDOUT
3D. A narcissist has a big one
Answer: EGO
4D. High-scoring words in Spelling Bee
Answer: PANGRAMS
6D. Channel changers
Answer: REMOTES
7D. ___ Bunny, musician known as the "King of Latin Trap"
Answer: BAD
8D. Painful eye malady
Answer: STYE
14D. Prefix for a modern genre
Answer: NEO
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "___ G BIV (color mnemonic)" for ROY. This clue tests knowledge of the ROYGBIV rainbow sequence mnemonic, which solvers either know instantly or struggle with completely.
Wordplay Winner: "If you don't like it, that's your problem!" for SUEME. Clever transformation of a defiant phrase into a two-word command that fits the grid perfectly.
Quick Fill: "Gorilla or chimpanzee" for APE. Straightforward animal category clue that most solvers can fill immediately, providing crucial crossing letters.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Spot thematic groupings early. The spring cleaning trio (KEEP, DONATE, TOSS) creates a pattern that helps solve intersecting clues faster once you recognize the theme.
Watch for pop culture father-son pairs. The Eugene Levy/Dan Levy clue (DAD) is a recent cultural reference that rewards keeping up with entertainment news.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops at 6 p.m. EST today. How did today's grid treat you? The spring cleaning theme and rainbow mnemonic provided both challenge and satisfaction. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
