Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid takes you straight to the canals of Venice with a tight theme woven through the clues. 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: 6x6
Total Clues: 12 (6 Across, 6 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 1-Across: The "A" of G.P.A.: Abbr.
Gimme Clue: 10-Across: Pair of peepers
Theme Spotted: None spotted.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. The "A" of G.P.A.: Abbr.
Hint: Think grade-point shorthand. Three letters, starts with A. It's the abbreviation for "average."
4. Fashion's Oscar ___ Renta
Hint: The legendary Dominican fashion designer. Two small words, starts with D.
6. Waterways traveled by gondola in 2-Down
Hint: Venice is famous for these. Six letters, starts with C.
8. The Ponte di Rialto in 2-Down, e.g.
Hint: It connects two sides over water. Six letters, starts with B.
9. Remove, as nails from a cat
Hint: A veterinary procedure. Six letters, starts with D.
10. Pair of peepers
Hint: You've got two of them, right above your nose. Four letters, starts with E.
Down Hints
1. On ___ (how some pranks are done)
Hint: A daredevil phrase. Five letters, starts with A.
2. Italian city that's the subject of this puzzle
Hint: Canals, gondolas, and the Rialto Bridge. Six letters, starts with V.
3. "More than happy to!"
Hint: Eager agreement. Five letters, starts with G.
5. Pond scum
Hint: That greenish layer on still water. Five letters, starts with A.
6. Relaxant in some edibles, for short
Hint: A three-letter abbreviation from the cannabis world.
7. Stitches together with needle and thread
Hint: What a tailor does. Four letters, starts with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. The "A" of G.P.A.: Abbr.
Answer: AVG
4. Fashion's Oscar ___ Renta
Answer: DELA
6. Waterways traveled by gondola in 2-Down
Answer: CANALS
8. The Ponte di Rialto in 2-Down, e.g.
Answer: BRIDGE
9. Remove, as nails from a cat
Answer: DECLAW
10. Pair of peepers
Answer: EYES
Down Answers
1. On ___ (how some pranks are done)
Answer: ADARE
2. Italian city that's the subject of this puzzle
Answer: VENICE
3. "More than happy to!"
Answer: GLADLY
5. Pond scum
Answer: ALGAE
6. Relaxant in some edibles, for short
Answer: CBD
7. Stitches together with needle and thread
Answer: SEWS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1-Across: The "A" of G.P.A.: Abbr. for AVG. The abbreviation-within-an-abbreviation trick is a classic crossword misdirection, "A" in G.P.A. doesn't stand for "Average," it stands for the abbreviation of "Average." That's a satisfying little brain flip.
Wordplay Winner: 9-Across: Remove, as nails from a cat for DECLAW. It's a straightforward definition but the phrasing "nails from a cat" instead of "claws" adds a touch of playful misdirection, making you think of human fingernails before landing on the veterinary term.
Quick Fill: 10-Across: Pair of peepers for EYES. Four letters, common word, and the slang "peepers" is instantly recognizable. This one practically fills itself.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Spot the theme early. When you see CANALS and BRIDGE in the same puzzle, and 2-Down is an Italian city, the Venice connection unlocks multiple answers fast. Thematic clusters are your shortcut to quick fills.
Watch for abbreviation clues with layered logic. "The 'A' of G.P.A.: Abbr." isn't asking what A stands for, it's asking for the abbreviation of what A stands for. That extra interpretive step is classic Thursday-style trickery.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether the Venice theme carried you through or 1-Across tripped you up, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
