Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid brings a mix of marine life, tech history, and baseball trivia in a clean 5x5 setup. 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: "Husk of wheat," an uncommon term that stumps solvers who reach for "straw" or "grain."
Gimme Clue: "Basement's counterpart," architectural opposites don't get more straightforward.
Theme Spotted: None today, a collection of standalone clues with solid variety.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Sea creatures that slide
Hint: Think shellfish with claws. Five letters, starts with C.
6. Thomas Edison is credited with popularizing this phone greeting (Alexander Graham Bell preferred "Ahoy!")
Hint: What you say when you pick up a call. Five letters, starts with H.
7. Basement's counterpart
Hint: The top floor storage space under the roof. Five letters, starts with A.
8. Hot dog, informally
Hint: A grilled sausage in a bun. Five letters, starts with F.
9. Chess tactics that attack two pieces at once
Hint: A knight or bishop can pull this off. Five letters, starts with F.
Down Hints
1. Husk of wheat
Hint: What's left after threshing grain. Five letters, starts with C.
2. Like throwback fashion
Hint: Vintage style that's come back around. Five letters, starts with R.
3. Wedding ceremony site
Hint: The focal point where vows are exchanged. Five letters, starts with A.
4. Lose a staring contest
Hint: What your eyes do when you can't hold the stare. Five letters, starts with B.
5. Pieces of clothing for which two M.L.B. teams are named
Hint: Red and White varieties, worn on feet. Five letters, starts with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Sea creatures that slide
Answer: CRABS
6. Thomas Edison is credited with popularizing this phone greeting (Alexander Graham Bell preferred "Ahoy!")
Answer: HELLO
7. Basement's counterpart
Answer: ATTIC
8. Hot dog, informally
Answer: FRANK
9. Chess tactics that attack two pieces at once
Answer: FORKS
Down Answers
1. Husk of wheat
Answer: CHAFF
2. Like throwback fashion
Answer: RETRO
3. Wedding ceremony site
Answer: ALTAR
4. Lose a staring contest
Answer: BLINK
5. Pieces of clothing for which two M.L.B. teams are named
Answer: SOCKS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 6A "Thomas Edison is credited with popularizing this phone greeting (Alexander Graham Bell preferred 'Ahoy!')" for HELLO. The historical backstory elevates a simple word into a trivia lesson, Bell wanted "Ahoy!" but Edison's "Hello" won the war of words.
Wordplay Winner: 5D "Pieces of clothing for which two M.L.B. teams are named" for SOCKS. The Red Sox and White Sox connection is a clever sports reference that rewards baseball fans without alienating solvers who just think footwear.
Quick Fill: 7A "Basement's counterpart" for ATTIC. The answer practically writes itself, architectural opposites are the Mini's bread and butter.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for biographical trivia clues like 6A. Edison vs. Bell is a classic piece of pop history that crossword constructors love. If you see a name + invention pairing, the answer is often a common word with a story behind it, not an obscure term.
When a clue includes a parenthetical detail (like Bell's "Ahoy!"), use it as confirmation rather than confusion. The parenthetical is a gift, not a trick. It tells you the answer is a word with an alternate history, and HELLO is about as common as they come.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tomorrow at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether you breezed through CRABS and ATTIC or got hung up on CHAFF and FORKS, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
