Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid delivers a crisp 5x5 mix of clever wordplay and trivia-friendly entries that won't slow you down. 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: "Type face?" This is a deceptively simple pun that plays on the dual meaning of "type" (keyboard character vs. category) and "face" (facial expression vs. font style).
Gimme Clue: "Halved" This is direct, unambiguous, and instantly solvable once you see the prefix pattern.
Theme Spotted: None today
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Type face?
Hint: Think digital expressions. The clue is a pun on computer typography and something you send in texts. Five letters.
6. With ___ breath (anxiously waiting)
Hint: Common idiomatic phrase. Rhymes with "rated." Five letters.
7. Halved
Hint: Split into two equal parts. The answer starts with "IN" and ends with "WO." Five letters.
8. Prepare to propose
Hint: What you do on one knee before popping the question. Five letters.
9. Certain British noblemen, like the ones of Sandwich
Hint: Think British peerage. The Earl of Sandwich put his name on lunch. Five letters.
Down Hints
1. Two-wheeler with a motor
Hint: An electric-powered bicycle. Starts with "E." Five letters.
2. Food from the heavens
Hint: Biblical reference, the substance God provided to the Israelites in the desert. Five letters.
3. Mammal that enjoys using a muddy riverbank as a slide
Hint: Playful mustelid known for sliding on its belly. Five letters.
4. Prized stone
Hint: A gem, often set in a ring or crown. Five letters.
5. Prized people
Hint: Celebrities or figures who are admired and worshipped. Five letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Type face?
Answer: EMOJI
6. With ___ breath (anxiously waiting)
Answer: BATED
7. Halved
Answer: INTWO
8. Prepare to propose
Answer: KNEEL
9. Certain British noblemen, like the ones of Sandwich
Answer: EARLS
Down Answers
1. Two-wheeler with a motor
Answer: EBIKE
2. Food from the heavens
Answer: MANNA
3. Mammal that enjoys using a muddy riverbank as a slide
Answer: OTTER
4. Prized stone
Answer: JEWEL
5. Prized people
Answer: IDOLS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Type face?" for EMOJI. This is a masterclass in concise crossword misdirection. "Type" points you toward typography, "face" toward font styles, but the answer lives entirely in the digital emoji world. It's the kind of clue that makes you smile the moment it clicks.
Wordplay Winner: "Type face?" for EMOJI again, the question mark signals wordplay, and the pun lands perfectly. A type of face (smiley, winky) rendered as a digital character. Clean, clever, and satisfying.
Quick Fill: "Halved" for INTWO. No tricks, no obscure references. The clue tells you exactly what the word means, and the answer is a common crossword staple. If you're speed-solving, this is your entry point.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for question marks, they're the crossword's way of signaling wordplay or puns. "Type face?" with a question mark tells you the answer isn't literal. Train yourself to switch into pun mode whenever you see one, and you'll crack those clues faster.
Use your shortest answers as anchors. INTWO (5 letters) and BATED (5 letters) share the letter T at position 3 across the grid. Lock in the gimmes first, they'll give you the cross letters you need for the trickier entries like EMOJI and EARLS.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The EMOJI clue was the highlight, a reminder that the best crossword moments come from unexpected connections. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
