Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a clean 5x5 setup with clever pairings and a satisfying reveal. 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: "Goldman ___ (investment bank)", banking jargon can trip up solvers who don't follow Wall Street.
Gimme Clue: "Many a kid's gift", three letters, starts with T. You know this one.
Theme Spotted: None spotted.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Body part exposed in a sandal
Hint: Count to five on your foot. Starts with T.
4. With 7-Across, zen state of mind
Hint: Think "inner" something, what you find when you meditate. Six letters.
7. See 4-Across
Hint: The second half of the zen state. Rhymes with "fleece."
8. Goldman ___ (investment bank)
Hint: Think of the other word in the famous banking firm's name. Five letters, ends with S.
9. Many a kid's gift
Hint: What's on the floor of every playroom? Three letters, starts with T.
Down Hints
1. Hits the "15%" or "20%" button, say
Hint: What you do at a restaurant after a good meal. Four letters, starts with T.
2. ___-Day (vitamin brand)
Hint: The number of pills you take daily. Four letters, starts with O.
3. Vote into law
Hint: What a legislature does. Five letters, starts with E.
5. Word shouted into a canyon
Hint: Sound bounces back at you. Four letters, starts with E.
6. Table booking website
Hint: The app you use to snag a dinner reservation. Four letters, starts with R.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Body part exposed in a sandal
Answer: TOE
4. With 7-Across, zen state of mind
Answer: INNER
7. See 4-Across
Answer: PEACE
8. Goldman ___ (investment bank)
Answer: SACHS
9. Many a kid's gift
Answer: TOY
Down Answers
1. Hits the "15%" or "20%" button, say
Answer: TIPS
2. ___-Day (vitamin brand)
Answer: ONEA
3. Vote into law
Answer: ENACT
5. Word shouted into a canyon
Answer: ECHO
6. Table booking website
Answer: RESY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Goldman ___ (investment bank)" for SACHS. The Mini rarely tests financial knowledge, so this clue stands out as a niche-knowledge gatekeeper. If you're not familiar with Wall Street firms, that S-A-C-H-S fill isn't coming from intuition alone.
Wordplay Winner: The split clue pair 4-Across and 7-Across, "With 7-Across, zen state of mind" for INNER and "See 4-Across" for PEACE. This hinged construction forces solvers to hold both answers in mind, making the "INNER PEACE" reveal genuinely satisfying.
Quick Fill: "Many a kid's gift" for TOY. Three letters, universal knowledge, instant fill. Every solver starts here.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
When you see a clue like "With 7-Across..." or "See 4-Across," jump to that other clue immediately. These linked clues are often the puzzle's centerpiece, and solving them together is faster than tackling them in isolation. Fill one, get the other for free.
Short answers (three to four letters) are your fastest wins. Scan for them first: TOE, TOY, TIPS, ECHO, RESY. Lock those in, and the longer fills like INNER and SACHS become trivial cross-references.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The INNER PEACE combo was this puzzle's hidden gem, bridging two clues into one satisfying phrase. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
