Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid brings a crisp mix of literary references and everyday vocabulary with some clever wordplay intersections. 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: "Pounded sticky rice sometimes filled with ice cream" (requires specific food knowledge)
Gimme Clue: "Itty-bitty" (straightforward definition)
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. Spot to shop
Hint: Think retail establishment, often part of a larger name
5A. Pounded sticky rice sometimes filled with ice cream
Hint: Japanese dessert treat, five letters
6A. ___ Chekhov, "Three Sisters" playwright
Hint: Russian playwright's first name
7A. Like many dive bars and bird feeds
Hint: Double meaning - describes questionable places and what birds eat
8A. Jekyll's evil counterpart
Hint: Classic literary character from Stevenson's novella
Down Hints
1D. What makes the world go 'round, per "Cabaret"
Hint: Five-letter word from the famous musical number
2D. Performed in a play
Hint: Past tense of what actors do on stage
3D. ___ Island (U.S. state)
Hint: New England state nickname, five letters
4D. Itty-bitty
Hint: Four-letter synonym for very small
5D. Squish to a pulp, as potatoes
Hint: What you do to make mashed potatoes
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
Across Answers
1A. Spot to shop
Answer: MART
5A. Pounded sticky rice sometimes filled with ice cream
Answer: MOCHI
6A. ___ Chekhov, "Three Sisters" playwright
Answer: ANTON
7A. Like many dive bars and bird feeds
Answer: SEEDY
8A. Jekyll's evil counterpart
Answer: HYDE
Down Answers
1D. What makes the world go 'round, per "Cabaret"
Answer: MONEY
2D. Performed in a play
Answer: ACTED
3D. ___ Island (U.S. state)
Answer: RHODE
4D. Itty-bitty
Answer: TINY
5D. Squish to a pulp, as potatoes
Answer: MASH
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Jekyll's evil counterpart" for HYDE. Classic literary reference that tests cultural literacy without being overly obscure.
Wordplay Winner: "Like many dive bars and bird feeds" for SEEDY. Clever double meaning that works both literally (bird seed) and figuratively (questionable establishments).
Quick Fill: "Itty-bitty" for TINY. Immediate recognition with no wordplay to decode.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for intersecting letters between Across and Down clues - today's grid had clean intersections like MART/MONEY and MOCHI/MASH that provide instant verification.
Recognize when clues use double meanings - like SEEDY working for both bird food and questionable places. These often solve quickly once you spot the wordplay.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tomorrow at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of literary references (Chekhov, Jekyll & Hyde) and everyday vocabulary made for a balanced Sunday solve. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
