Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a tight 5x5 puzzle packed with sports endurance, fuzzy fruit, and a splash of skepticism. 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. "Ross Edgley's 1,700+-mile journey around Great Britain, for example", requires niche sports knowledge
Gimme Clue: 5A. "Fuzzy fruit", a straightforward produce identification
Theme Spotted: None today, a clean mixed-bag puzzle with no overarching theme
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Ross Edgley's 1,700+-mile journey around Great Britain, for example
Hint: Think long-distance water travel. A four-letter word for moving through the sea.
5. Fuzzy fruit
Hint: Small brown-skinned fruit with green flesh. Four letters, starts with K.
6. Someone who assumes the worst intentions in everything
Hint: A skeptic who always sees the negative. Five letters, starts with C.
7. Orangutans, e.g.
Hint: Primates that are not monkeys. Four letters.
8. Work well together
Hint: When gears or teammates fit perfectly. Four letters, starts with M.
Down Hints
1. Former competitor of Google Hangouts
Hint: Video calling app that was huge in the 2000s. Five letters, starts with S.
2. Signature products of Napa Valley
Hint: What California's wine country is famous for producing. Five letters, starts with W.
3. "Yeah, in my dreams!"
Hint: A five-letter phrase expressing skepticism about something ever happening.
4. Open ___ night
Hint: The thing performers step up to at a comedy club. Three letters.
6. Something found on a Mac (that anagrams to MAC)
Hint: Your laptop's built-in video hardware. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Ross Edgley's 1,700+-mile journey around Great Britain, for example
Answer: SWIM
5. Fuzzy fruit
Answer: KIWI
6. Someone who assumes the worst intentions in everything
Answer: CYNIC
7. Orangutans, e.g.
Answer: APES
8. Work well together
Answer: MESH
Down Answers
1. Former competitor of Google Hangouts
Answer: SKYPE
2. Signature products of Napa Valley
Answer: WINES
3. "Yeah, in my dreams!"
Answer: IWISH
4. Open ___ night
Answer: MIC
6. Something found on a Mac (that anagrams to MAC)
Answer: CAM
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A. "Ross Edgley's 1,700+-mile journey around Great Britain, for example" for SWIM. This clue tests whether you follow ultra-endurance sports. Ross Edgley is a British adventurer who famously swam the entire coastline of Great Britain. It's a deep-cut reference that rewards niche knowledge, but the crossing letters make it solvable even if you've never heard of him.
Wordplay Winner: 6D. "Something found on a Mac (that anagrams to MAC)" for CAM. The anagram hint is the giveaway here, and it's a clever bit of self-referential wordplay. CAM is literally MAC rearranged, and it's also the built-in camera on every MacBook. Neat construction.
Quick Fill: 5A. "Fuzzy fruit" for KIWI. It's a produce-section staple. Brown skin, green inside, instantly recognizable. No overthinking required.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with the short crossings. KIWI (5A) and MIC (4D) are fast gimmes that give you a solid anchor in the grid's center. Once those lock in, CYNIC (6A) and IWISH (3D) become much easier to deduce from their crossing letters.
Watch for anagram clues. 6D's CAM/MAC trick is a classic crossword device. When a clue says "something that anagrams to X," mentally shuffle the letters immediately. It's a pattern that repeats across puzzles and pays off fast once you train your eye.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The SWIM and SKYPE intersection was the toughest cross, testing both endurance trivia and tech history in one move. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
