Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid brings a compact mix of everyday objects and clever 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: 11 (5 Across, 6 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Boomer's bop, nowadays" (requires generational knowledge)
Gimme Clue: "Raven's haven" (straightforward animal habitat)
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. Slip-on shoe … or something you don’t want in your bathtub
Hint: Think footwear that can also cause plumbing issues
5A. Ancient artifact
Hint: Something preserved from the past, often in museums
7A. In a most unusual way
Hint: Adverb describing peculiar behavior
8A. Springs in a mattress
Hint: The metal components that provide support
9A. Raven's haven
Hint: Where birds lay eggs and raise young
Down Hints
1D. Slip-on shoe … or something you really don’t want in your bathtub
Hint: Same answer as 1A, but with emphasis on the plumbing problem
2D. Strung along
Hint: Past tense of leading someone on
3D. Boomer's bop, nowadays
Hint: Music from previous generations that's now considered classic
4D. Breathing organs for fish
Hint: What aquatic creatures use to extract oxygen from water
6D. Fluid-filled lump
Hint: Medical term for a sac-like structure
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Slip-on shoe … or something you don’t want in your bathtub
Answer: CLOG
5A. Ancient artifact
Answer: RELIC
7A. In a most unusual way
Answer: ODDLY
8A. Springs in a mattress
Answer: COILS
9A. Raven's haven
Answer: NEST
Down Answers
1D. Slip-on shoe … or something you really don’t want in your bathtub
Answer: CLOG
2D. Strung along
Answer: LEDON
3D. Boomer's bop, nowadays
Answer: OLDIE
4D. Breathing organs for fish
Answer: GILLS
6D. Fluid-filled lump
Answer: CYST
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: The dual "CLOG" clues (1A and 1D) for the same answer. Clever construction with slightly different wording that plays on both footwear and plumbing problems.
Wordplay Winner: "Strung along" for LEDON. Smart use of past tense to create a phrase that means "deceived" while literally describing being led on.
Quick Fill: "Raven's haven" for NEST. Straightforward animal habitat clue that most solvers will get instantly.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for dual-meaning clues like "CLOG" that work both literally and figuratively. The same word appears in both directions with slightly different phrasing.
When you see generational references like "Boomer's bop," think about music or cultural terms from that era. "OLDIE" fits perfectly for classic rock fans.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The dual CLOG clues and generational OLDIE reference made for an interesting Thursday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
