Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid brings a mix of space-age 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: "___ Wiseman, commander on NASA's Artemis II mission" (5A)
Gimme Clue: "Batman or Superman" (7A)
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. Reason to edit a text message
Hint: Common texting mistake, three letters, starts with T
5A. ___ Wiseman, commander on NASA's Artemis II mission
Hint: Four-letter surname, think NASA astronaut
6A. Artificial hair extension
Hint: Five letters, starts with W, common hair styling term
7A. Batman or Superman
Hint: Four letters, starts with H, what superheroes are
8A. Manager's helper: Abbr.
Hint: Four letters, starts with A, common workplace abbreviation
Down Hints
1D. Things that families and forests both have
Hint: Five letters, starts with T, think family trees
2D. 1,000 make up a millennium
Hint: Five letters, starts with Y, time measurement
3D. Quickly change the topic
Hint: Five letters, starts with P, business strategy term
4D. Laudatory poem
Hint: Three letters, starts with O, poetic form
6D. "Huh ...?"
Hint: Three letters, starts with W, expression of confusion
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Reason to edit a text message
Answer: TYPO
5A. ___ Wiseman, commander on NASA's Artemis II mission
Answer: REID
6A. Artificial hair extension
Answer: WEAVE
7A. Batman or Superman
Answer: HERO
8A. Manager's helper: Abbr.
Answer: ASST
Down Answers
1D. Things that families and forests both have
Answer: TREES
2D. 1,000 make up a millennium
Answer: YEARS
3D. Quickly change the topic
Answer: PIVOT
4D. Laudatory poem
Answer: ODE
6D. "Huh ...?"
Answer: WHA
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Things that families and forests both have" for TREES. Clever double meaning that plays on "family trees" versus actual trees in a forest.
Wordplay Winner: "Quickly change the topic" for PIVOT. Modern business jargon repurposed as conversational strategy.
Quick Fill: "Batman or Superman" for HERO. Straightforward pop culture reference that most solvers will nail instantly.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for abbreviation clues ending with "Abbr." - they're almost always short, common workplace terms like ASST.
When you see a clue referencing specific names (like NASA commanders), check if it's a common surname that fits the letter count - REID is a standard four-letter name.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The TREES wordplay and NASA reference added some spice to an otherwise straightforward Thursday puzzle. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
