Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid brings a tight 5x5 that mixes energy, philosophy, and a dash of 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: "What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common?" this is a meta-clue that demands outside-the-box thinking
Gimme Clue: "Energy in one's step," this a three-letter gimme that practically fills itself
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. Energy in one's step
Hint: Think vigor, vitality, or a certain breakfast cereal mascot. Three letters, starts with P.
4. S, for a tee
Hint: Think clothing sizes. What does the S stand for on a tag? Five letters.
6. Philosophical idea of "What goes around comes back around"
Hint: A five-letter concept from Eastern philosophy about cosmic cause and effect.
7. "Oh, you wanna go! Let's go!"
Hint: A five-letter phrase meaning a challenge has been accepted. Starts with I, ends with N.
8. What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common?
Hint: It's a three-letter word. Think about what they both are in their respective titles.
Down Hints
1. Break down grammatically
Hint: What English teachers do to sentences. Five letters, starts with P, ends with E.
2. Favorite Muppet of little kids
Hint: The red, furry three-year-old monster who loves cookies and his pet goldfish. Four letters.
3. Blueprint
Hint: A four-letter word for a scheme, design, or map for a project.
4. Short comedic sketch
Hint: Think Saturday Night Live. Four letters, starts with S, ends with T.
5. 70-minute section of the SAT
Hint: The part of the SAT that involves numbers, equations, and problem-solving. Four letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Energy in one's step
Answer: PEP
4. S, for a tee
Answer: SMALL
6. Philosophical idea of "What goes around comes back around"
Answer: KARMA
7. "Oh, you wanna go! Let's go!"
Answer: ITSON
8. What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common?
Answer: THE
Down Answers
1. Break down grammatically
Answer: PARSE
2. Favorite Muppet of little kids
Answer: ELMO
3. Blueprint
Answer: PLAN
4. Short comedic sketch
Answer: SKIT
5. 70-minute section of the SAT
Answer: MATH
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common?" for THE. This is pure crossword mischief, two figures from completely different worlds, and the answer is simply the definite article. Alexander was "the Great," Pooh is "the" bear. It's a meta-clue that rewards lateral thinking.
Wordplay Winner: "S, for a tee" for SMALL. The clue plays on the clothing size abbreviation, S stands for "small," and a tee is a T-shirt. It's a clever double-reading that feels satisfying the moment it clicks.
Quick Fill: "Energy in one's step" for PEP. Three letters, universal meaning, zero ambiguity. It's the perfect confidence builder to kick off the solve.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for meta-clues that ask about connections between seemingly unrelated things. When a clue asks "What do X and Y have in common?" the answer is often a simple word they both share in their descriptions, not a deep historical or literary link. It's a recurring Mini trick.
Size abbreviations show up frequently. "S, for a tee" (SMALL), "M, for a tee" (MEDIUM), and "L, for a tee" (LARGE) are all classic Mini fill. If you see a single letter followed by "for a tee," it's almost certainly a clothing size. Lock that pattern in.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tomorrow at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether the Alexander/Pooh meta-clue had you stumped or you breezed through in under a minute, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
