Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a tidy 5x5 mix of construction trades, car brands, and a dash of '90s pop nostalgia. 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: 1D. ___ 1 (speed of sound), this is a quick answer for crossword regulars, but casual solvers may pause on this aviation-adjacent term.
Gimme Clue: 9A. Key above ~ on a Mac, this is a no-brainer for anyone who's ever touched a keyboard.
Theme Spotted: None today.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Worker who sticks a thick mix on bricks
Hint: Think construction, the kind of worker who lays foundations. Five letters, starts with M.
6. Volvos or VWs
Hint: A four-letter word for motor vehicles. They're what you drive.
7. "Wow, that's wild!"
Hint: An exclamation of disbelief or amazement. Five letters, ends with Y.
8. Peaceful place
Hint: A sanctuary or refuge. Five letters, starts with H.
9. Key above ~ on a Mac
Hint: The key in the top-left corner of your keyboard. Three letters.
Down Hints
1. ___ 1 (speed of sound)
Hint: The unit used to measure fighter jet speeds. Four letters, starts with M.
2. Emanating glow
Hint: Think of a halo or an energy field around someone or something. Four letters.
3. Fend (off)
Hint: To ward off or prevent something. Five letters, starts with S.
4. Seeps slowly
Hint: What a leaky faucet does. Five letters, starts with O.
5. Boy band with the 2000 hit "It's Gonna Be Me"
Hint: *NSYNC. Five letters, all caps, no asterisk.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Worker who sticks a thick mix on bricks
Answer: MASON
6. Volvos or VWs
Answer: AUTOS
7. "Wow, that's wild!"
Answer: CRAZY
8. Peaceful place
Answer: HAVEN
9. Key above ~ on a Mac
Answer: ESC
Down Answers
1. ___ 1 (speed of sound)
Answer: MACH
2. Emanating glow
Answer: AURA
3. Fend (off)
Answer: STAVE
4. Seeps slowly
Answer: OOZES
5. Boy band with the 2000 hit "It's Gonna Be Me"
Answer: NSYNC
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5D. Boy band with the 2000 hit "It's Gonna Be Me" for NSYNC. This clue delivers a solid dose of Y2K nostalgia and rewards solvers who remember the boy-band era. It's the kind of pop-culture hook that breaks up an otherwise workmanlike grid.
Wordplay Winner: 1A. Worker who sticks a thick mix on bricks for MASON. The phrasing "sticks a thick mix" is a playful nod to mortar, the thick mix a mason applies between bricks. It's a clue that paints a picture before you even land on the word.
Quick Fill: 9A. Key above ~ on a Mac for ESC. Three letters, keyboard geography everyone knows. If you didn't fill this one in immediately, you were overthinking it.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with the gimme. 9A (ESC) and 6A (AUTOS) are instant fills that unlock multiple down crossings. In a 5x5 grid, one or two sure things cascade quickly into the entire solve.
Look for pop-culture anchors. 5D (NSYNC) is a proper noun that locks in quickly if you know it, and it crosses 7A (CRAZY), giving you two letters for that vertical. Pop-culture clues are often the fastest way to break a mini grid open.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether MASON had you reaching for construction knowledge or NSYNC triggered a deep '90s playlist dive, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
