Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid brings a clean 5x5 sprint built around numbers, food, and everyday language. 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: 4D, "(This clue number x 2) + 2" requires solving the math before you can spell the answer
Gimme Clue: 2D, "Favorite food of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is pop culture gold
Theme Spotted: Number play
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Something to look for while circling the block
Hint: Think about what you're trying to find when hunting for parking. Four letters, starts with S.
5A. Grow weary
Hint: You do this after a long run. Four letters, ends with E.
6A. This clue number x 2
Hint: Do the multiplication, 6 times 2 equals this number. Five letters.
7A. Rice-shaped pasta
Hint: It looks like little grains of rice. Four letters, starts with O.
8A. December 25th, for short
Hint: The abbreviated way to write the holiday. Four letters, starts with X.
Down Hints
1D. Calm before the ___
Hint: A peaceful period right before chaos. Five letters, starts with S.
2D. Favorite food of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Hint: A cheesy, saucy, circular pie. Five letters, starts with P.
3D. Black-and-white cookies
Hint: The sandwich cookies with creme filling. Five letters, starts with O.
4D. (This clue number x 2) + 2
Hint: Crunch the numbers, 4 times 2 plus 2 equals this. Three letters.
6D. Release personal information about, informally
Hint: What hackers do when they leak your private data online. Three letters, starts with D.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Something to look for while circling the block
Answer: SPOT
5A. Grow weary
Answer: TIRE
6A. This clue number x 2
Answer: DOZEN
7A. Rice-shaped pasta
Answer: ORZO
8A. December 25th, for short
Answer: XMAS
Down Answers
1D. Calm before the ___
Answer: STORM
2D. Favorite food of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Answer: PIZZA
3D. Black-and-white cookies
Answer: OREOS
4D. (This clue number x 2) + 2
Answer: TEN
6D. Release personal information about, informally
Answer: DOX
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 4D, "(This clue number x 2) + 2" for TEN. The clue forces you to stop reading words and do quick mental math. It's a meta puzzle within the puzzle, and the answer is cleanly short at three letters. Sneaky and satisfying.
Wordplay Winner: 6A, "This clue number x 2" for DOZEN. Same arithmetic trick as 4D, but the answer is a number word rather than a digit. The clue trusts you to know your multiplication table and your vocabulary in one shot.
Quick Fill: 2D, "Favorite food of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" for PIZZA. If you've seen any pop culture from the last four decades, you know this in under a second. Easy in, easy out.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for self-referential clues. When a clue mentions its own number (like 6A and 4D), the constructor is asking you to do math. Flag these immediately, they're often the fastest solves once you crunch the numbers.
Intersections are your best friend in a 5x5 grid. If you've got SPOT (1A) and PIZZA (2D), the P at 2D locks in the S at 1A. Use confirmed crossings to narrow down uncertain answers without reading every clue twice.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether the math clues tripped you up or the pop culture gimmes carried you through, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
