Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a clean mix of Greek letters, NATO phonetics, and everyday vocabulary that rewards pattern recognition over obscure trivia. 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: "Letter after Alfa, in the NATO phonetic alphabet"
Gimme Clue: "Blue expanse", this is a one-syllable, universally known answer that practically fills itself.
Theme Spotted: None today, a straightforward Tuesday grid with no overarching theme.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Letter after alpha, in the Greek alphabet
Hint: Second letter of the Greek alphabet. Four letters, starts with B.
5. Letter after Alfa, in the NATO phonetic alphabet
Hint: The NATO word for the letter B. Also an enthusiastic exclamation.
6. Barrier reef organism
Hint: A marine invertebrate that builds colorful underwater structures. Five letters.
7. Bout of sniffling and sneezing, say
Hint: What you catch when you're under the weather. Four letters.
8. Blue expanse
Hint: Look up. Three letters.
Down Hints
1. "Babbling" body of water
Hint: A small stream. Five letters, starts with B.
2. Before expected
Hint: The opposite of late. Five letters.
3. Broadcast commercial, for short
Hint: A TV or radio spot. Four letters, ends with D.
4. Big name in early email
Hint: The internet service provider that defined the 1990s dial-up experience. Three letters.
5. Brings into an email thread discreetly
Hint: Adds someone to a conversation without the other recipients knowing. Four letters, starts with B.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Letter after alpha, in the Greek alphabet
Answer: BETA
5. Letter after Alfa, in the NATO phonetic alphabet
Answer: BRAVO
6. Barrier reef organism
Answer: CORAL
7. Bout of sniffling and sneezing, say
Answer: COLD
8. Blue expanse
Answer: SKY
Down Answers
1. "Babbling" body of water
Answer: BROOK
2. Before expected
Answer: EARLY
3. Broadcast commercial, for short
Answer: TVAD
4. Big name in early email
Answer: AOL
5. Brings into an email thread discreetly
Answer: BCCS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Letter after Alfa, in the NATO phonetic alphabet" for BRAVO. This clue demands you know the NATO phonetic alphabet sequence cold, and most solvers only know it up to Charlie. The double meaning with "bravo" as an exclamation of approval adds a fun layer.
Wordplay Winner: "Brings into an email thread discreetly" for BCCS. The abbreviation "Bcc" (blind carbon copy) pluralized as BCCS is a clever nod to modern workplace communication. It's a wordplay that rewards familiarity with email etiquette.
Quick Fill: "Blue expanse" for SKY. Three letters, zero ambiguity. It's the kind of clue that gets your solve started without friction.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Learn your alphabets. Today's grid leans hard on both the Greek alphabet (BETA) and the NATO phonetic alphabet (BRAVO). If you memorize the first few letters of both sequences, you'll dominate these recurring Mini staples.
Shorter answers are your entry points. SKY (8A) and AOL (4D) are two- and three-letter gimmes that give you instant cross-reference letters. Fill these in first to unlock the longer answers around them.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether you breezed through BETA and BRAVO or got stuck on the NATO sequence, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
