Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a mix of presidential 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: "Most common instrument in New York Times crosswords, with over 800 appearances"
Gimme Clue: "Number of teeth for Goofy"
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. S, as in shaker
Hint: Think table seasoning, three letters
5A. Cawing bird
Hint: Black bird often associated with Halloween, four letters
6A. ___ shrimp (oxymoron)
Hint: Means "large" but describes something small, five letters
7A. Most common instrument in New York Times crosswords, with over 800 appearances
Hint: Double-reed woodwind instrument, four letters
8A. Units of corn
Hint: What you pick from a stalk, four letters
Down Hints
1D. Kind of gear for diving
Hint: Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, five letters
2D. Knight's protection
Hint: Metal suit worn in battle, five letters
3D. Brain sections
Hint: Frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital, five letters
4D. Number of teeth for Goofy
Hint: Disney character's dental count, three letters
6D. Presidential first name of the 2020s
Hint: Current U.S. president's first name, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
Across Answers
1A. S, as in shaker
Answer: SALT
5A. Cawing bird
Answer: CROW
6A. ___ shrimp (oxymoron)
Answer: JUMBO
7A. Most common instrument in New York Times crosswords, with over 800 appearances
Answer: OBOE
8A. Units of corn
Answer: EARS
Down Answers
1D. Kind of gear for diving
Answer: SCUBA
2D. Knight's protection
Answer: ARMOR
3D. Brain sections
Answer: LOBES
4D. Number of teeth for Goofy
Answer: TWO
6D. Presidential first name of the 2020s
Answer: JOE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Most common instrument in New York Times crosswords, with over 800 appearances" for OBOE. This clue combines crossword trivia with musical knowledge, requiring solvers to know both the instrument and its crossword popularity.
Wordplay Winner: "___ shrimp (oxymoron)" for JUMBO. The clue directly acknowledges the contradiction of calling something "jumbo" when shrimp are typically small, making solvers think about linguistic irony.
Quick Fill: "Number of teeth for Goofy" for TWO. Disney fans immediately recognize Goofy's distinctive two-tooth smile, making this one of the fastest solves in the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with the gimmes like 4D (TWO) and 1A (SALT) to establish crossing letters. These provide immediate anchors for tougher clues.
Watch for presidential references - 6D (JOE) appears frequently in recent puzzles. Recognizing common crossword names saves valuable seconds.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST.
How did today's grid treat you? The mix of presidential trivia and everyday wordplay tested both general knowledge and pop culture awareness.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
