Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid brings a balanced mix of modern slang, geographic trivia, and everyday 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: "Home to Capitol Reef National Park, which surprisingly is not by the ocean" (UTAH)
Gimme Clue: "Chew on that!" (GUM)
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. Chew on that!
Hint: Something you chew but don't swallow. Starts with G.
4A. Like clothes in the hamper
Hint: Opposite of clean. Five letters.
6A. Late time to stay up on a weekday
Hint: The hour after midnight. Two words, starts with ONE.
7A. Using few words effectively
Hint: Concise and meaningful. Five letters, starts with P.
8A. Traffic increases it, for short
Hint: Estimated time of arrival abbreviation. Three letters.
Down Hints
1D. Climate activist Thunberg
Hint: Swedish environmental activist's first name. Five letters.
2D. Home to Capitol Reef National Park, which surprisingly is not by the ocean
Hint: Western US state known for national parks. Four letters.
3D. Repeated exclamation
Hint: Expression of surprise, said twice. Four letters total.
4D. Freakin' awesome
Hint: Slang for excellent. Four letters, starts with D.
5D. Rolling ___ (super rich)
Hint: Abbreviation for "in it" meaning wealthy. Four letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Chew on that!
Answer: GUM
4A. Like clothes in the hamper
Answer: DIRTY
6A. Late time to stay up on a weekday
Answer: ONEAM
7A. Using few words effectively
Answer: PITHY
8A. Traffic increases it, for short
Answer: ETA
Down Answers
1D. Climate activist Thunberg
Answer: GRETA
2D. Home to Capitol Reef National Park, which surprisingly is not by the ocean
Answer: UTAH
3D. Repeated exclamation
Answer: MYMY
4D. Freakin' awesome
Answer: DOPE
5D. Rolling ___ (super rich)
Answer: INIT
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Home to Capitol Reef National Park, which surprisingly is not by the ocean" for UTAH. The clue plays on the expectation that "Reef" suggests ocean geography, but Capitol Reef is actually a desert park in Utah.
Wordplay Winner: "Rolling ___ (super rich)" for INIT. Clever use of abbreviation wordplay where "in it" becomes INIT, fitting the "rolling in it" phrase for wealth.
Quick Fill: "Chew on that!" for GUM. Straightforward and instantly recognizable, providing an easy entry point to the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for modern slang clues like "Freakin' awesome" (DOPE) - they're often short, common words that fit quickly into the grid.
When you see "for short" in a clue, think abbreviations (like ETA for "Estimated Time of Arrival") - these are usually three-letter answers that help unlock intersecting words.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tomorrow at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of geographic trivia (UTAH), modern slang (DOPE), and climate activism (GRETA) made for a well-rounded Sunday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
