Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers
Welcome to our daily Mini Crossword answers page! The NYT Mini Crossword is a quick, fun puzzle that can be completed in just a few minutes. If you're stuck on today's Mini Crossword, we provide all the answers along with helpful hints for each clue.
The Mini Crossword is perfect for puzzle enthusiasts who want a quick brain workout without committing to a full crossword. It typically features a 5x5 grid on most days, expanding to a larger 7x7 grid on Saturdays.
What is the NYT Mini Crossword?
The Mini Crossword was introduced by the New York Times in 2014 as a shorter, more accessible version of their famous daily crossword. Here's what makes it special:
- Quick to Solve: Most players complete it in 1-3 minutes
- 5x5 Grid: Standard size (7x7 on Saturdays)
- Beginner-Friendly: Clues are generally straightforward
- Free to Play: Available without a subscription
- Daily Updates: New puzzle every day at midnight
How to Solve Mini Crosswords Faster
Want to improve your Mini Crossword time? Here are proven strategies:
- Scan All Clues First: Quickly read through all clues before filling anything in
- Start with Gimmes: Fill in the answers you know immediately
- Use Cross Letters: Let intersecting letters help you solve tougher clues
- Think Pop Culture: Many Mini clues reference current events and pop culture
- Don't Overthink: Mini clues are usually straightforward - the obvious answer is often correct
Common Mini Crossword Patterns
Recognizing common patterns can speed up your solving:
- 3-Letter Words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT, YOU, ALL, CAN, HER, WAS
- 4-Letter Words: THAT, WITH, HAVE, THIS, FROM, THEY, BEEN, CALL, WERE
- 5-Letter Words: THERE, THEIR, ABOUT, WOULD, THESE, COULD, OTHER
- Common Names: ERA, ANA, EVE, AVA, ELI, IAN - short names appear frequently
Mini Crossword Tips for Beginners
New to crossword puzzles? Here's how to get started:
- Don't expect to solve everything on the first try - use crossing letters
- Pay attention to clue tense - past tense clues have past tense answers
- Question marks in clues indicate wordplay or puns
- Quotation marks often indicate a phrase or saying
- Practice daily - you'll notice improvement within weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
The NYT Mini Crossword is released at 10 PM ET the night before (for Tuesday-Saturday puzzles) and 6 PM ET for Sunday/Monday puzzles. Our answers page updates shortly after the puzzle is available.
Yes! Saturday Minis feature a larger 7x7 grid instead of the usual 5x5, making them more challenging. They also tend to have trickier clues to match the harder Saturday full crossword tradition.
NYT subscribers have access to the Mini Crossword archive with thousands of past puzzles. Non-subscribers can only play the current day's puzzle for free.
Practice daily, learn common crossword words (crosswordese), scan all clues before writing, and don't hesitate on answers you know. Speed comes with familiarity!
Yes, the daily Mini Crossword is free to play on the NYT Games website and app. You don't need a subscription to access the current day's puzzle.
The Mini resets at different times depending on the day. If you can't find it, the new puzzle may not have been released yet. Check back after 10 PM ET (or 6 PM ET for Sunday/Monday).