Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid brings a standard 5x5 challenge with pop culture nods and clever 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: 5x5
Total Clues: 10 (5 Across, 5 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Rooster giving directions on a farm, maybe"
Gimme Clue: "Bird of prey"
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. First-aid case
Hint: Think emergency supplies container. Three letters.
4A. Rooster giving directions on a farm, maybe
Hint: Weather indicator often shaped like a rooster. Four letters.
5A. Showing little enthusiasm
Hint: Lukewarm response. Five letters.
6A. Borough said to be the birthplace of hip-hop
Hint: New York City borough starting with B. Five letters.
7A. Bird of prey
Hint: Raptor that hunts small animals. Four letters.
Down Hints
1D. "Bam!"
Hint: Comic book sound effect. Five letters.
2D. Bold way to solve a print crossword
Hint: Using a pen instead of pencil. Five letters.
3D. Spinoff of a popular lecture series
Hint: Independent TED event series. Four letters.
4D. Aloe ___
Hint: Common plant used in skincare. Four letters.
5D. "Frankly ...," in a text
Hint: Texting abbreviation for honesty. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. First-aid case
Answer: KIT
4A. Rooster giving directions on a farm, maybe
Answer: VANE
5A. Showing little enthusiasm
Answer: TEPID
6A. Borough said to be the birthplace of hip-hop
Answer: BRONX
7A. Bird of prey
Answer: HAWK
Down Answers
1D. "Bam!"
Answer: KAPOW
2D. Bold way to solve a print crossword
Answer: ININK
3D. Spinoff of a popular lecture series
Answer: TEDX
4D. Aloe ___
Answer: VERA
5D. "Frankly ...," in a text
Answer: TBH
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Rooster giving directions on a farm, maybe" for VANE. Clever farm imagery that requires connecting rooster-shaped weather vanes to directional indicators.
Wordplay Winner: "Bold way to solve a print crossword" for ININK. Smart play on crossword-solving methods that rewards puzzle enthusiasts.
Quick Fill: "Bird of prey" for HAWK. Immediate recognition makes this the easiest entry point for solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Scan for pop culture references first - clues like "birthplace of hip-hop" (BRONX) and "TED spinoff" (TEDX) are quick wins if you know the references.
Watch for common crossword abbreviations - "Frankly ...," in a text" (TBH) and "Aloe ___" (VERA) appear frequently and should be automatic fills.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tomorrow at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of pop culture (BRONX, TEDX) and wordplay (ININK, VANE) kept things interesting without overwhelming. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
