Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a mix of hidden wordplay and straightforward vocabulary. 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: 8A. Figure painted by Michelangelo, which can be found hidden in the name "Michelangelo"
Gimme Clue: 4D. "Pipe down!"
Theme Spotted: Hidden wordplay with 8A
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Style of cuisine with bulgogi beef, for short
Hint: Korean barbecue abbreviation
5A. How bedtime stories are read
Hint: Opposite of silently
7A. Huge craze
Hint: Extreme enthusiasm or obsession
8A. Figure painted by Michelangelo, which can be found hidden in the name "Michelangelo"
Hint: Look for a celestial being within the artist's name
9A. Home for doves or pigeons
Hint: Bird shelter, four letters
Down Hints
1D. ___ Sutra
Hint: Ancient Indian text about love and pleasure
2D. Sauvignon ___ (wine variety)
Hint: French for "white"
3D. Large drum played by hand
Hint: Cuban percussion instrument
4D. "Pipe down!"
Hint: Command to be silent
6D. Chip's chipmunk pal
Hint: Disney character from "Chip 'n' Dale"
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Style of cuisine with bulgogi beef, for short
Answer: KBBQ
5A. How bedtime stories are read
Answer: ALOUD
7A. Huge craze
Answer: MANIA
8A. Figure painted by Michelangelo, which can be found hidden in the name "Michelangelo"
Answer: ANGEL
9A. Home for doves or pigeons
Answer: COTE
Down Answers
1D. ___ Sutra
Answer: KAMA
2D. Sauvignon ___ (wine variety)
Answer: BLANC
3D. Large drum played by hand
Answer: BONGO
4D. "Pipe down!"
Answer: QUIET
6D. Chip's chipmunk pal
Answer: DALE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 8A for ANGEL. The clue cleverly directs solvers to find the answer hidden within "Michelangelo" itself, creating a satisfying "aha" moment when you spot the celestial being embedded in the artist's name.
Wordplay Winner: 8A for ANGEL. The hidden wordplay is the puzzle's most creative element, transforming a straightforward definition into a clever word search within the clue text.
Quick Fill: 4D for QUIET. The exclamation "Pipe down!" is a common, instantly recognizable phrase that most solvers will fill in without hesitation.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for hidden wordplay clues that contain their own answers. When a clue mentions a word or name, scan it for embedded solutions - like finding ANGEL in "Michelangelo."
Master the common crossword fillers. Words like ALOUD, MANIA, and QUIET appear frequently in puzzles and should become automatic entries for experienced solvers.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The hidden ANGEL clue was the standout, while straightforward entries like QUIET and ALOUD kept the solve flowing. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
