Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid brings a fresh mix of pop-culture trivia and everyday fill that rewards sharp lateral thinking. 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: "Sketch comedy spinoff launched on March 21, 2026", a deep-cut pop-culture reference that demands recent TV knowledge
Gimme Clue: "One of 24", about as straightforward as it gets
Theme Spotted: None today, a clean, general-interest grid
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Spanish for "house"
Hint: Four letters. You'll find this word in real estate listings and flamenco songs.
5. Developer's projects
Hint: Four letters. Think about what runs on your phone, not what runs on a construction site.
6. Sketch comedy spinoff launched on March 21, 2026
Hint: Four letters. A famous late-night show got a British offshoot, the acronym tells you exactly where.
7. One of 24
Hint: Four letters. The clock is ticking, literally.
8. Gas brand with a green-and-white logo
Hint: Four letters. This East Coast chain shares its name with a surname.
Down Hints
1. Kayak alternative
Hint: Five letters. Paddling, but different posture.
2. Great grade
Hint: Four letters. The gold standard on a report card, but written as one word.
3. N.B.A. team with the 7'4" star Victor Wembanyama
Hint: Five letters. Texas team, silver and black.
4. "___ not what your country can do for you ..."
Hint: Three letters. The first word of one of the most famous inaugural lines ever.
6. Sound made with a finger to the lips
Hint: Three letters. Silence, please.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
---
---
---
---
---
Across Answers
1. Spanish for "house"
Answer: CASA
5. Developer's projects
Answer: APPS
6. Sketch comedy spinoff launched on March 21, 2026
Answer: SNLUK
7. One of 24
Answer: HOUR
8. Gas brand with a green-and-white logo
Answer: HESS
Down Answers
1. Kayak alternative
Answer: CANOE
2. Great grade
Answer: APLUS
3. N.B.A. team with the 7'4" star Victor Wembanyama
Answer: SPURS
4. "___ not what your country can do for you ..."
Answer: ASK
6. Sound made with a finger to the lips
Answer: SHH
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Sketch comedy spinoff launched on March 21, 2026" for SNLUK. This is a hyper-current reference, the UK spinoff of Saturday Night Live launched barely a month ago. If you're not tracking late-night TV news, this clue is a brick wall. Smart solvers will let the crosses do the heavy lifting here.
Wordplay Winner: "Developer's projects" for APPS. It's a clean double-meanings clue, developers build software applications (apps), and the word "projects" nudges you toward the tech interpretation rather than construction. Neat misdirection in four letters.
Quick Fill: "One of 24" for HOUR. No wordplay, no obscure knowledge, just basic time-telling. It's the anchor entry that gives you a foothold into the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
When you hit a pop-culture clue you don't know (like SNLUK), don't freeze. Work the crosses first, CASA, APPS, and HOUR all intersect with Down entries that fill in naturally. The answer will reveal itself through the grid.
Watch for compound answers written as one word. APLUS looks like it could be two words ("A Plus"), but the Mini loves mashing them together. If a grade clue feels like it needs an "A" and a word after it, try running them together.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tomorrow at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether SNLUK tripped you up or you breezed through on HOUR and CASA, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
