Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a tech-savvy mix of modern slang and clever 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: 5D - Snake that sounds like it would be good at math?
Gimme Clue: 4D - Sister's daughter
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. Planning to, informally
Hint: Casual contraction for future intention
6A. ___ tolls (GPS setting)
Hint: Navigation app option to bypass fees
7A. Pulsed quickly, as the heart
Hint: What your heart does during exercise
8A. Draw an outline of
Hint: Follow the edges with a pencil
9A. Prefix with loop for theoretical high-speed transport
Hint: Elon Musk's futuristic transit concept
Down Hints
1D. Wayne's sidekick in "Wayne's World"
Hint: Mike Myers' co-star in the 90s comedy
2D. Egg-producing organ
Hint: Female reproductive part
3D. "I'm serious!," in slang
Hint: Gen Z affirmation, two words
4D. Sister's daughter
Hint: Your sibling's female child
5D. Snake that sounds like it would be good at math?
Hint: Reptile with a mathematical homophone
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Planning to, informally
Answer: GONNA
6A. ___ tolls (GPS setting)
Answer: AVOID
7A. Pulsed quickly, as the heart
Answer: RACED
8A. Draw an outline of
Answer: TRACE
9A. Prefix with loop for theoretical high-speed transport
Answer: HYPER
Down Answers
1D. Wayne's sidekick in "Wayne's World"
Answer: GARTH
2D. Egg-producing organ
Answer: OVARY
3D. "I'm serious!," in slang
Answer: NOCAP
4D. Sister's daughter
Answer: NIECE
5D. Snake that sounds like it would be good at math?
Answer: ADDER
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5D for ADDER. The wordplay works perfectly - a snake called an "adder" sounds exactly like a mathematical "adder," making this clue both clever and tricky.
Wordplay Winner: 9A for HYPER. The clue references Elon Musk's Hyperloop concept, requiring solvers to recognize the "hyper" prefix rather than the full term.
Quick Fill: 4D for NIECE. Straightforward family relationship with no ambiguity - a classic gimme that helps unlock the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for modern slang - clues like "NOCAP" and "GONNA" reflect current informal language. Recognizing these quickly saves cross-checking time.
Tech references are common in modern Minis. GPS settings ("AVOID tolls") and futuristic transport ("HYPERloop") appear regularly - build that vocabulary.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The ADDER wordplay and HYPER reference kept things fresh. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
