The New York Times Mini Crossword may be small, but it’s designed to catch you off guard.
Unlike its full-sized cousin, the Mini forces you to think quickly. It packs a sharp mental workout into a compact 5x5 grid, ideal for short breaks.
A tiny puzzle doesn't mean it’s always easy.
When you’re stuck on a clue, our daily hints and answers will help keep the momentum going.
Where to Play
You can play the Mini Crossword on the New York Times website, the NYT Games app, or within the Play tab of the main News app.
Past puzzles are available to Games and All Access subscribers.
When the Puzzle Drops
- Weekdays + Saturdays: Available at 10 p.m. EST the night before.
- Sundays: Drops earlier at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.
How It Works
Fill the grid by solving Across and Down clues. You’ll know you’ve solved it correctly when music plays and a congratulatory message appears.
There’s no streak feature like Wordle, but you can track your solve time and compete with friends on the Mini leaderboard.
Game Features and Shortcuts
- Timer: See how quickly you can complete the puzzle.
- Reveal and Check tools: If you’re stuck, reveal a letter, word, or check your answers.
- Keyboard shortcuts: Use arrow keys, spacebar, tab, and more (on desktop).
- Pen and Pencil Mode: Toggle between confident solves and tentative guesses.
Across
De bugs?
The answer is INSECTS
Make funnier, as jokes
The answer is PUNCHUP
"Life is like a box of chocolates," for example
The answer is ANALOGY
Dot on a domino
The answer is PIP
In an upbeat mood
The answer is CHIPPER
Important topic in sex education
The answer is CONSENT
Leaves the Union
The answer is SECEDES
Down
Hoppy order at a happy hour
The answer is IPA
Convent member
The answer is NUN
Tech company with a bright yellow color scheme and ghost logo
The answer is SNAPINC
Sun block?
The answer is ECLIPSE
Like many ingredients in a Cobb salad
The answer is CHOPPED
Pull sharply
The answer is TUG
One with a secret identity
The answer is SPY
Syringe amts.
The answer is CCS
Garden tool with a long handle
The answer is HOE
Opposite of WSW
The answer is ENE
Certain football linemen: Abbr.
The answer is RTS
See Also
Explore more daily puzzles and NYT game solutions.

