Mini Crossword hint today

Mini Crossword hint today — clues & answers

We transcribe each clue and answer into a clean, mobile-friendly sheet so you can check letter placements without giving up the whole board. Reveal across and down entries one at a time, then review solving tips to shave seconds off tomorrow's puzzle.

What is the Mini Crossword? The NYT Mini Crossword is a free, compact 5x5 crossword grid with about 10 clues that takes 2-5 minutes to solve. New puzzles drop at 10 PM ET on weekdays and 6 PM ET on Saturdays. It features the same clever wordplay as the full NYT crossword in a bite-sized format.

Grid + clue listReveal per entryUpdated daily
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NYT Mini Crossword • April 17, 2026

Bite-sized crossword, full-sized strategy

Review the official grid, study clue wording, and reveal individual entries as needed. Whether you are chasing a personal speed record or building crossword fundamentals, this breakdown keeps spoilers under control.

5 × 5By Joel Fagliano
123456789

Across

1.Sound made while sinking into a hot tub

4.March Madness pick

6.Like "status quo" and "mea culpa"

8.Large venue for a comedian

9.Piece of bacon

Down

1.Book of maps

2.❤️

3.Constant critic

5.Car that's easy to park

7.Much of the afternoon, for a toddler

Speed solve checklist

  • Scan for fill-in-the-blank clues first—they anchor letters for multiple entries.
  • Note short synonyms and common crossword abbreviations; the Mini leans on them heavily.
  • After finishing, read clue/answer pairs aloud to reinforce pattern recognition for tomorrow.

FAQ

Mini Crossword questions, solved

Short on time? These quick answers explain release timing, reveal etiquette, and how to sharpen your clue instincts.

What time does the NYT Mini Crossword publish?
The New York Times releases a fresh Mini Crossword every day at midnight Eastern Time. We mirror the grid here moments later so you can warm up before the commute.
How should I reveal Mini Crossword answers without spoiling the grid?
Tap reveal next to a specific clue to uncover just that entry. You can solve the rest of the puzzle manually while keeping your streak intact.
Where can I find past Mini Crossword puzzles?
Scroll to the archive inside the NYT Games app or bookmark this page to revisit recent grids with our annotated clue list.
Do Mini Crossword clues repeat?
Yes. Editors lean on a core set of abbreviations, pop culture names, and wordplay styles. Studying past puzzles helps you spot those patterns faster.

Mini Crossword hints, clues & strategy

The NYT Mini rewards solvers who can spot clue patterns on sight. We log every puzzle to identify frequently used abbreviations, pop culture references, and interlocking wordplay. Use our notes to tune your instincts and power through the grid in under a minute.

Drill clue types

Flag fill-in-the-blank clues, common prefixes, and weekly theme repeats to build muscle memory.

Print-friendly grid

Use the embedded board to annotate letter placements without needing the NYT app open.

Cross-training

Alternate with Wordle and Strands to keep your vocabulary sharp across formats.

How to play the Mini Crossword

  1. 1

    Read the across clues

    Fill in any answers you know immediately. Short answers mean every letter counts.

  2. 2

    Fill in crossing letters

    Use confirmed across answers to reveal letters in down entries. Crossings make tough clues solvable.

  3. 3

    Tackle the down clues

    With crossing letters in place, work through down clues. Start with fill-in-the-blank clues.

  4. 4

    Watch for wordplay

    Mini clues use puns, abbreviations, and pop culture. Consider alternate meanings for simple-looking clues.

  5. 5

    Complete the grid

    Fill every cell. Your time is tracked and compared against your personal best.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Mini Crossword

Get answers about reset times, solving strategies, and tips for completing the NYT Mini Crossword faster.

  • The Mini drops at 10 PM ET on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday's Mini arrives earlier at 6 PM ET on Saturday, giving you a head start on the weekend.
  • The Mini is a 5x5 grid with typically 10 clues (5 Across and 5 Down). It's designed to be solved in under 5 minutes, making it perfect for a quick brain workout.
  • Many players report the Mini has increased in difficulty over time. More wordplay, puns, and trivia-based clues appear now compared to earlier puzzles.
  • NYT Games subscribers can access the Mini archive to replay previous puzzles. Our archive also tracks historical clues and answers for reference.
  • Top solvers complete the Mini in under 15 seconds. Average solve times range from 1-3 minutes. Racing the clock adds extra challenge to this quick puzzle.
  • Yes, the Mini Crossword is free for everyone. Unlike the full NYT crossword which requires a subscription, the Mini is one of the few NYT puzzle games that remains completely free to play daily.
  • Average solvers complete the Mini in 1 to 3 minutes. Under 60 seconds is considered fast, and under 30 seconds puts you in the top tier. Your time is tracked and you can compare against your personal best streak.
  • Yes, the Mini Crossword is fully optimized for mobile devices through both the NYT Games app (iOS and Android) and the mobile web browser. The 5x5 grid is designed to be easily tappable on phone screens.

Sources & References

Recommended guides

Today's Mini Hints

Clue-by-clue guidance without spoiling the full grid.

Clue Types Explained

Wordplay, trivia, and fill-in-the-blank pattern guide.

Speed-Solving Tips

Techniques and common answers to solve the 5x5 faster.

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