Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a cleverly connected puzzle with social faux pas and quick 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: "With 4-Down, spilling wine on the carpet or bringing uninvited guests" (1D)
Gimme Clue: "Castaway's call for help" (5D)
Theme Spotted: Social etiquette connections
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Word after "lily" or "launch"
Hint: Think of something you write on or something that cushions a landing
4. "That criticism makes total sense!"
Hint: Opposite of unfair, four letters
5. Apology after a 1-/4-Down
Hint: What you say when you make a mistake, five letters
6. Two in a double play
Hint: Baseball term for when a batter or runner is eliminated
7. Sneaky
Hint: Cunning or crafty, three letters
Down Hints
1. With 4-Down, spilling wine on the carpet or bringing uninvited guests
Hint: Social gathering plus a violation of etiquette
2. Puts on TV
Hint: Broadcasts or shows, four letters
3. Like summers in a Mediterranean climate
Hint: Opposite of wet, three letters
4. See 1-Down
Hint: The second part of a social etiquette violation
5. Castaway's call for help
Hint: International distress signal, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Word after "lily" or "launch"
Answer: PAD
4. "That criticism makes total sense!"
Answer: FAIR
5. Apology after a 1-/4-Down
Answer: SORRY
6. Two in a double play
Answer: OUTS
7. Sneaky
Answer: SLY
Down Answers
1. With 4-Down, spilling wine on the carpet or bringing uninvited guests
Answer: PARTY
2. Puts on TV
Answer: AIRS
3. Like summers in a Mediterranean climate
Answer: DRY
4. See 1-Down
Answer: FOUL
5. Castaway's call for help
Answer: SOS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "With 4-Down, spilling wine on the carpet or bringing uninvited guests" for PARTY FOUL. This clue cleverly connects two separate concepts into a common social etiquette phrase, requiring solvers to think about the complete expression.
Wordplay Winner: "Apology after a 1-/4-Down" for SORRY. The clue directly references the connected answer from 1D and 4D (PARTY FOUL), creating a thematic link that makes the puzzle feel cohesive.
Quick Fill: "Castaway's call for help" for SOS. This is classic crossword vocabulary - the three-letter distress signal appears frequently and is instantly recognizable to regular solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for connected clues. When you see "With X-Down" or "See X-Across," solve those clues together. Today's PARTY FOUL connection creates two answers from one solving effort.
Recognize common crossword short words. PAD, FAIR, SLY, DRY, and SOS appear frequently in puzzles. Building a mental library of these three- and four-letter words speeds up your solving.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The PARTY FOUL to SORRY connection showed how Mini constructors can pack thematic elements into a compact space. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
