Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a mix of food trivia, everyday annoyances, and quick-action verbs. 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: 5A, "Pricey variety of beef that translates to 'Japanese cow'"
Gimme Clue: 3D, "Pancake topper"
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. Big party
Hint: Think loud, festive gatherings. Four letters, starts with B.
5. Pricey variety of beef that translates to "Japanese cow"
Hint: A premium marbled beef from Japan. Five letters, starts with W.
6. Unwelcome sound at 7 a.m., perhaps
Hint: That noise that yanks you out of a dream. Five letters, starts with A.
7. Really make excited
Hint: Like revving an engine, but for emotions. Five letters, starts with R.
8. Get ready (for)
Hint: What you do before a test or a big game. Four letters, starts with P.
Down Hints
1. Farm machine that bundles hay
Hint: It rolls or compresses cut grass into tidy bales. Five letters, starts with B.
2. Plant used to make mezcal
Hint: A spiky desert plant, also the source of tequila. Five letters, starts with A.
3. Pancake topper
Hint: Sweet, sticky, and poured in a spiral. Five letters, starts with S.
4. Prominent feature of a camel
Hint: What stores fat for long desert treks. Four letters, starts with H.
5. Bend out of shape, as wood
Hint: What happens to a wooden board left in the rain. Four letters, starts with W.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Big party
Answer: BASH
5. Pricey variety of beef that translates to "Japanese cow"
Answer: WAGYU
6. Unwelcome sound at 7 a.m., perhaps
Answer: ALARM
7. Really make excited
Answer: REVUP
8. Get ready (for)
Answer: PREP
Down Answers
1. Farm machine that bundles hay
Answer: BALER
2. Plant used to make mezcal
Answer: AGAVE
3. Pancake topper
Answer: SYRUP
4. Prominent feature of a camel
Answer: HUMP
5. Bend out of shape, as wood
Answer: WARP
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5A "Pricey variety of beef that translates to 'Japanese cow'" for WAGYU. This clue asks for a specific cultural knowledge point, the Japanese term for a prized beef breed. Not a gimme unless you're a foodie or have brushed up on your culinary vocabulary.
Wordplay Winner: 7A "Really make excited" for REVUP. The clue plays on the verb phrase "rev up," splitting it into two words to disguise the answer. Clean misdirection that rewards thinking of common idioms as compound words.
Quick Fill: 3D "Pancake topper" for SYRUP. Breakfast vocabulary is about as straightforward as it gets. If you hesitated on this one, you're overthinking it.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for compound verbs disguised as single words. "Rev up" becomes REVUP, and once you spot the pattern, clues like "get ready (for)" feeding into PREP become obvious. The Mini loves collapsing two-word phrases into five-letter answers.
Use Down clues to confirm your Across guesses. BALER (1D) and BASH (1A) share that opening B, if you're stuck on the party clue, the farm machinery term might unlock it. Cross-referencing is the fastest way to break a logjam in a 5x5 grid.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether WAGYU threw you off or you breezed through the breakfast-themed clues, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
