Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a mix of media references and classic wordplay. 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: 1A - "The Rachel Maddow Show" channel, after a 2025 rebranding
Gimme Clue: 9A - Sound at the dog park
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. "The Rachel Maddow Show" channel, after a 2025 rebranding
Hint: Cable news network that rebranded in 2025, five letters
6A. Childhood
Hint: Early years of life, six letters
7A. Greek letter after zeta and eta
Hint: Eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, five letters
8A. What helicopter parents do
Hint: To remain suspended in air, five letters
9A. Sound at the dog park
Hint: Common canine vocalization, three letters
Down Hints
1D. "Cats always land on their feet," e.g.
Hint: Widely held but false belief, four letters
2D. Neighborhood in both London and Manhattan
Hint: Trendy arts district, four letters
3D. ___ York, Spanish name for New York
Hint: Spanish word for "new," five letters
4D. Furry mammal that eats crustaceans
Hint: Aquatic animal known for using rocks as tools, five letters
5D. Docking area
Hint: Structure for mooring ships, five letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. "The Rachel Maddow Show" channel, after a 2025 rebranding
Answer: MSNOW
6A. Childhood
Answer: YOUTH
7A. Greek letter after zeta and eta
Answer: THETA
8A. What helicopter parents do
Answer: HOVER
9A. Sound at the dog park
Answer: ARF
Down Answers
1D. "Cats always land on their feet," e.g.
Answer: MYTH
2D. Neighborhood in both London and Manhattan
Answer: SOHO
3D. ___ York, Spanish name for New York
Answer: NUEVA
4D. Furry mammal that eats crustaceans
Answer: OTTER
5D. Docking area
Answer: WHARF
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A for MSNOW. This clue requires knowledge of a 2025 media rebranding, making it the most time-sensitive and potentially tricky entry for solvers not following cable news developments.
Wordplay Winner: 1D for MYTH. The clue frames a common saying as an example of a false belief, creating clever misdirection before the straightforward answer.
Quick Fill: 9A for ARF. Three-letter animal sounds are classic crossword gimmes, and this one provides an easy entry point to build from.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for rebranding clues - they're often time-sensitive and test current events knowledge. When you see a date reference like "after a 2025 rebranding," expect an answer that reflects recent changes.
Animal sounds are almost always short fill. Three-letter answers like ARF, MEOW, or MOO provide quick starting points and help unlock intersecting clues.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The MSNOW rebranding clue tested current events awareness, while MYTH provided clever wordplay. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
