Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a mix of tech trivia, sports strategy, and everyday slang. 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: 6A - Company whose market cap (~$4 trillion) exceeds the G.D.P. of most countries
Gimme Clue: 7A - "Chill!"
Theme Spotted: None today
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. One drawing X's and O's
Hint: Sports strategist who diagrams plays
6A. Company whose market cap (~$4 trillion) exceeds the G.D.P. of most countries
Hint: Tech giant with a fruit logo
7A. "Chill!"
Hint: Unwind, take it easy
8A. Do some rhythmic tapping
Hint: Play percussion instruments
9A. Back talk
Hint: Impertinent reply, attitude
Down Hints
1D. What's the deal?
Hint: Poker players hold them
2D. "The Phantom of the ___"
Hint: Musical theater classic
3D. Excellent grade
Hint: Top academic score, starts with A
4D. Sandpipers dig for them in the sand
Hint: Bivalve mollusks, often steamed
5D. Evil spell
Hint: Three-letter curse
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. One drawing X's and O's
Answer: COACH
6A. Company whose market cap (~$4 trillion) exceeds the G.D.P. of most countries
Answer: APPLE
7A. "Chill!"
Answer: RELAX
8A. Do some rhythmic tapping
Answer: DRUM
9A. Back talk
Answer: SASS
Down Answers
1D. What's the deal?
Answer: CARDS
2D. "The Phantom of the ___"
Answer: OPERA
3D. Excellent grade
Answer: APLUS
4D. Sandpipers dig for them in the sand
Answer: CLAMS
5D. Evil spell
Answer: HEX
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 6A for APPLE. The specific market cap reference ($4 trillion) makes this more than just a tech company clue, it's a current financial fact check that requires solvers to connect massive valuation with the right fruit-branded corporation.
Wordplay Winner: 1A for COACH. "One drawing X's and O's" cleverly describes a sports coach diagramming plays without using obvious sports terminology. The visual imagery of play diagrams translates perfectly to the answer.
Quick Fill: 7A for RELAX. "Chill!" is direct modern slang that immediately points to its synonym. The five-letter requirement eliminates alternatives like "calm" or "rest," making this Tuesday's easiest entry.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for modern slang clues, they're often straightforward translations. "Chill!" becomes RELAX, "Back talk" becomes SASS. These clues reward contemporary language fluency over obscure knowledge.
When you see specific numbers or statistics in a clue (like $4 trillion), the answer is usually a proper noun or brand name. The specificity narrows the field dramatically, in this case, only one company fits that market cap description.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of financial trivia (APPLE's $4 trillion valuation) and sports strategy (COACH drawing X's and O's) made for a balanced Tuesday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
