Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a compact mix of wordplay, pop culture, and a clever theme 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: 3D: "A hardware store with a broken doorknob is an example of it", a situational definition that demands abstract thinking.
Gimme Clue: 1A: "Unit of scissors, underwear or AirPods", a common word that fits three obvious contexts.
Theme Spotted: None spotted.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Unit of scissors, underwear or AirPods
Hint: Think of things that come in twos. Four letters, starts with P.
5A. Rabbit relative
Hint: A fast, long-eared animal. Four letters, starts with H.
6A. The circled letters in this puzzle, e.g.
Hint: Think of what happens when something falls, or the letters highlighted in the grid. Five letters, starts with D.
8A. Justice Sotomayor
Hint: First name of the Supreme Court justice. Five letters, starts with S.
9A. Letters in a Big Apple address
Hint: New York City's postal abbreviation, repeated. Four letters.
Down Hints
1D. High degrees, for short
Hint: Advanced academic credentials. Four letters, starts with P.
2D. Quarterback Rodgers
Hint: Former Packers QB, now with the Jets. Five letters, starts with A.
3D. A hardware store with a broken doorknob is an example of it
Hint: When reality doesn't match expectations. Five letters, starts with I.
4D. Affix again, as the tail on the donkey
Hint: To pin back on, like a party game. Five letters, starts with R.
7D. "Hey, I just thought of something ..."
Hint: An interjection used when you want to speak up. Three letters, starts with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Unit of scissors, underwear or AirPods
Answer: PAIR
5A. Rabbit relative
Answer: HARE
6A. The circled letters in this puzzle, e.g.
Answer: DROPS
8A. Justice Sotomayor
Answer: SONIA
9A. Letters in a Big Apple address
Answer: NYNY
Down Answers
1D. High degrees, for short
Answer: PHDS
2D. Quarterback Rodgers
Answer: AARON
3D. A hardware store with a broken doorknob is an example of it
Answer: IRONY
4D. Affix again, as the tail on the donkey
Answer: REPIN
7D. "Hey, I just thought of something ..."
Answer: SAY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 3D: "A hardware store with a broken doorknob is an example of it" for IRONY. This clue doesn't define the word directly, it gives you a scenario that embodies the concept. You have to recognize the gap between expectation and reality, which is the very definition of irony. Clever construction.
Wordplay Winner: 6A: "The circled letters in this puzzle, e.g." for DROPS. This is a self-referential gem. The answer describes exactly what the circled letters are doing in the grid, they're literal "drops" of letters. Meta-wordplay at its finest.
Quick Fill: 1A: "Unit of scissors, underwear or AirPods" for PAIR. Three completely different categories all point to the same word. Instant recognition for anyone who's ever owned a pair of anything.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Look for self-referential clues like 6A. When a clue references "this puzzle" or "the circled letters," the answer is often describing a structural feature of the grid itself. Recognizing meta-clues early can unlock multiple crossings at once.
Names are your fastest fills. SONIA (8A) and AARON (2D) are proper nouns that don't require wordplay, just recognition. If you know your Supreme Court justices and NFL quarterbacks, those squares fill in instantly and open up the rest of the grid.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Between the meta-wordplay of DROPS and the ironic scenario of IRONY, this Tuesday puzzle rewarded solvers who think beyond the literal. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
