Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a crisp mix of stats, geography, and pop-culture 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: 1D. "Constellation whose name comes from the Latin for 'dragon'", that's a deep pull unless you're an astronomy buff.
Gimme Clue: 8A. "Price to pay", three letters, and it's one of the most common words in the English language.
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. How often the Mini comes out
Hint: Think frequency. Every single day, starts with D, five letters.
6A. Difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set
Hint: A stats term you learned in middle school. Five letters, starts with R.
7A. Caribbean island near Venezuela
Hint: A popular vacation spot with white sand beaches. Five letters, starts with A.
8A. Price to pay
Hint: What you shell out for something. Four letters, starts with C.
9A. Jersey number worn by star linebacker Micah Parsons, the first Packer to wear it since 1926
Hint: The smallest positive integer. Three letters.
Down Hints
1D. Constellation whose name comes from the Latin for "dragon"
Hint: A northern sky constellation. Five letters, starts with D.
2D. "___ Burr, Sir!" ("Hamilton" number)
Hint: Alexander Hamilton's rival's first name. Five letters, starts with A.
3D. Currently occupied, as a restroom
Hint: The sign you see on a locked bathroom door. Five letters, starts with I.
4D. Community honored by the GLAAD Media Awards, for short
Hint: Four-letter acronym for a diverse community. Starts with L.
5D. "___ or nay?"
Hint: A three-letter word for "in favor." Starts with Y.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. How often the Mini comes out
Answer: DAILY
6A. Difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set
Answer: RANGE
7A. Caribbean island near Venezuela
Answer: ARUBA
8A. Price to pay
Answer: COST
9A. Jersey number worn by star linebacker Micah Parsons, the first Packer to wear it since 1926
Answer: ONE
Down Answers
1D. Constellation whose name comes from the Latin for "dragon"
Answer: DRACO
2D. "___ Burr, Sir!" ("Hamilton" number)
Answer: AARON
3D. Currently occupied, as a restroom
Answer: INUSE
4D. Community honored by the GLAAD Media Awards, for short
Answer: LGBT
5D. "___ or nay?"
Answer: YEA
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 7A. "Caribbean island near Venezuela" for ARUBA. It's a geography pop quiz tucked into a crossword, you either know it or you don't, and there's no working around it.
Wordplay Winner: 9A. "Jersey number worn by star linebacker Micah Parsons, the first Packer to wear it since 1926" for ONE. That's a lot of specific context for a three-letter answer, and the Packers trivia makes it memorable.
Quick Fill: 5D. "___ or nay?" for YEA. A classic crossword staple that any regular solver will fill in instantly.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with the gimme clues first. YEA and COST are instant fills that unlock crossings fast. Drop those in before tackling DRACO or ARUBA, and the grid opens up.
Watch for intersecting letter patterns. DAILY (1A) and DRACO (1D) share that D, once you've got one, the other becomes a letter-matching exercise. Same logic applies to ARUBA and AARON sharing that A-R pattern.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether the Packers trivia threw you or you breezed through the stats clue, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
