About NYT Mini Crossword

The New York Times Mini Crossword is a smaller, quicker version of the iconic New York Times Crossword puzzle. Started in 2014, it was designed to be a faster alternative to the full-sized puzzle that could be completed in just a few minutes.

Unlike the traditional NYT Crossword which can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour to complete, the Mini typically takes between 1-3 minutes for experienced solvers. It's published daily and consists of a 5×5 grid (Monday–Friday) or a slightly larger grid on weekends.

The Mini has become incredibly popular for busy people who want the satisfaction and mental stimulation of solving a crossword but don't have the time to tackle the full-sized puzzle.

The Basics

1. Clues: Like traditional crosswords, the Mini provides clues for words that go across (horizontally) and down (vertically).
2. Grid: Each white square in the grid will contain one letter. Black squares indicate the end of a word.
3. Fill in the Grid: Read the clues and fill in the answers. When a letter is part of both an across and down answer, it must work for both words.
4. No Tricks: The Mini is generally straightforward, especially on weekdays, without the complex tricks or themes found in the full-sized puzzle.

Solving Strategies

• Start with clues you know immediately - these "gimmes" provide a foundation for other answers.
• Use intersecting letters to help with harder words - if you have a few letters filled in, it's easier to guess the full word.
• Don't get stuck on one clue - move around the puzzle and come back to difficult clues later.
• Practice daily to improve your solving speed and familiarity with common crossword vocabulary.

Our website provides daily solutions to the NYT Mini Crossword puzzle. Each day, we update with:

• The complete set of clues from that day's puzzle
• The correct answers to all clues
• Helpful hints and solution ideas to help you solve on your own
• An archive of past puzzles for reference or practice

This site is perfect for checking your answers, getting unstuck on a difficult clue, or reviewing past puzzles you may have missed.

This site is not affiliated with The New York Times Company. The NYT Mini Crossword is owned by The New York Times Company.