Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a mix of clever wordplay and trivia, with a standout clue that plays with animal names. 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: 2D - African mammal whose striped legs resemble a zebra's
Gimme Clue: 7D - "Quiet, you!"
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. Flying ___ (kind of bat, despite its name)
Hint: Think of a common animal name that doesn't match the creature's actual nature
4A. Furniture retailer known for its sprawling stores
Hint: Swedish company famous for flat-pack furniture and meatballs
6A. Drug cops, informally
Hint: Slang term for narcotics officers
8A. Geological time period spanning several ages
Hint: A major division of geological time, longer than an age
9A. Like F, in the alphabet
Hint: Positional descriptor, think ordinal numbers
Down Hints
1D. Penalties for parking violations
Hint: Monetary punishments for breaking parking rules
2D. African mammal whose striped legs resemble a zebra's
Hint: Forest-dwelling relative of the giraffe with distinctive markings
3D. Make a copy of
Hint: Brand name that became a verb for photocopying
5D. Bank customer's holding: Abbr.
Hint: Common banking abbreviation for a financial record
7D. "Quiet, you!"
Hint: Sound made to hush someone, often repeated
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Flying ___ (kind of bat, despite its name)
Answer: FOX
4A. Furniture retailer known for its sprawling stores
Answer: IKEA
6A. Drug cops, informally
Answer: NARCS
8A. Geological time period spanning several ages
Answer: EPOCH
9A. Like F, in the alphabet
Answer: SIXTH
Down Answers
1D. Penalties for parking violations
Answer: FINES
2D. African mammal whose striped legs resemble a zebra's
Answer: OKAPI
3D. Make a copy of
Answer: XEROX
5D. Bank customer's holding: Abbr.
Answer: ACCT
7D. "Quiet, you!"
Answer: SHH
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A for FOX. The "flying fox" clue plays with expectations, it's a type of bat despite the name, creating clever wordplay that makes solvers think twice.
Wordplay Winner: 9A for SIXTH. Simple but elegant positional clue that tests basic alphabet knowledge without being overly tricky.
Quick Fill: 7D for SHH. Immediate recognition for anyone who's ever tried to quiet a room, making it the fastest solve in the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for abbreviation indicators like "Abbr.", they signal shortened forms like ACCT, which are common crossword fill.
Recognize wordplay clues where the answer contradicts the surface meaning, like FOX for a bat, these require lateral thinking rather than literal interpretation.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of trivia (OKAPI) and wordplay (flying FOX) made for a balanced Tuesday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
