How to Play the NYT Mini

The NYT Mini is a quick and dirty version of the newspaper's larger and long-running crossword. Most days, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays.

Unlike its larger sibling, the NYT Mini crossword is free to play on the New York Times website or NYT Games app. However, you’ll need an NYT Games subscription to access previous puzzles in the archives.

The NYT Mini is a fun daily distraction that usually takes no time at all. I try to beat the standard weekday grid in less than a minute. But sometimes I can't quite figure out one or two clues and need to reveal the answer.

To help you avoid doing that, here are the NYT Mini Crossword answers (spoilers lie ahead, of course):

NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers

ACROSS

1) With 6-Across, kind of person who loves when things are messy - DRAMA
6) See 1-Across - QUEEN
7) Circus prop that provides extra height - STILT
8) "___ boy!" - HOO
9) Hoped-for symbol on a weather app - SUN

DOWN

1) Tosses out of a competition, informally - DQS
2) ___ Chris Steak House (restaurant chain) - RUTHS
3) Vowel quintet - AEIOU
4) Fruit that’s often in an Edible Arrangement - MELON
5) Crumb-carrying insect - ANT

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