NYT Mini Crossword Delights Fans With Tricky Animal Clues

For many puzzle enthusiasts, there’s a certain ritual that marks the end of each day: tackling the New York Times Mini Crossword. On Sunday, January 18, 2026, thousands of solvers once again flocked to their screens for the latest edition of this beloved word game, eager to test their wits against the day’s clues. While the NYT’s larger Crossword has long commanded a loyal following, The Mini—its bite-sized sibling—has carved out its own niche, offering a daily dose of challenge and satisfaction in a compact five-by-five grid.

According to Parade, The Mini Crossword resets each evening at 10 p.m., a quirk that distinguishes it from other NYT games like Wordle and Connections, which refresh at midnight. This schedule has turned the game into a nightly tradition for many, prompting players to squeeze in the puzzle before bedtime or to start their evening wind-down with a quick brain teaser. And for those who found themselves stumped by Sunday’s clues, a network of online guides and communities stood ready to lend a helping hand.

On January 18, the across clues for The Mini presented a mix of clever wordplay and pop culture references. 1 Across was “I said so, that’s why!”—a clue that, as CNET noted, led to the succinct answer “CUZ.” 4 Across, “Highway division,” pointed to “LANE.” The 5 Across clue, “Genre for Olivia Dean and Daniel Caesar,” was a nod to contemporary music, and the answer—“RANDB” or “R AND B”—paid homage to the popular rhythm and blues genre. 6 Across, “French ‘to have,’” required solvers to recall their high school language classes for the answer “AVOIR.” And 7 Across, “Animal that would blend in well with a crossword grid,” was a playful reference to the black-and-white “PANDA.”

The down clues continued the theme of cleverness and variety. 1 Down, “Officially accepted storylines,” was “CANON,” a term familiar to fans of literature, film, and even video games. 2 Down, “Reversed,” was “UNDID,” a straightforward but satisfying answer. 3 Down featured another animal that could “blend in well with a crossword grid”—the “ZEBRA,” whose stripes echo the puzzle’s alternating black and white squares. 4 Down, “Molten flow,” was “LAVA,” and 5 Down, “Flow over a beat,” was “RAP,” adding a musical twist to the grid.

For some solvers, the animal-themed clues proved especially tricky. As one CNET writer confessed, “I was tripped up by 7-Across and 3-Down, both black-and-white, five-letter animals. I mixed them up, but it was easy to sort out.” It’s a relatable moment for anyone who’s ever second-guessed a crossword answer, only to realize the solution was hiding in plain sight. The day’s puzzle seemed to delight in this kind of gentle misdirection, challenging players to think both laterally and literally.

Beyond the answers themselves, Sunday’s Mini offered a snapshot of the game’s enduring appeal. As Parade observed, working through the daily puzzles—whether it’s Connections, Wordle, Strands, or The Mini—has become “a whole ritual for many of us.” The sense of community is palpable, with fans sharing hints, strategies, and even completion times. One blogger, reflecting on their own experience with the January 18 puzzle, noted, “It took me 1:15 to complete today’s NYT Mini. See you tomorrow for more NYT Mini fun!”

For those new to the game, The Mini offers an accessible entry point into the world of crosswords. As explained by a contributor to a gaming blog, “The NYT Mini is a quick version of the newspaper’s larger, long-running crossword. Most days, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five Mini grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays.” This compact format, coupled with the puzzle’s clever construction, makes it an ideal daily diversion for both seasoned solvers and curious newcomers.

However, the game’s accessibility has recently changed. As reported by multiple sources, The Mini Crossword is now available only to subscribers. Previously, it was free to play, but the New York Times has moved it behind a paywall, requiring an NYT Games subscription not only for current puzzles but also for access to the archives. This shift has sparked some disappointment among fans who enjoyed the free daily challenge, but it also speaks to the growing value of word games in the digital age.

Despite the subscription requirement, the popularity of The Mini shows no signs of waning. Online, a robust ecosystem of hints, answer keys, and strategy guides has emerged, helping players of all skill levels stay engaged. Websites like CNET and Parade regularly publish daily hints and solutions, while bloggers and influencers build communities around shared puzzle-solving experiences. From Discord channels to newsletters, the culture surrounding The Mini is as lively as ever.

Of course, part of the puzzle’s charm lies in its ability to surprise and entertain. The January 18 edition, with its clever animal clues and nods to music and language, exemplified the game’s playful spirit. And for those who managed to complete the grid without peeking at the answers, there was the quiet satisfaction of having bested the day’s challenge—at least until the next puzzle rolled around at 10 p.m.

For the record, here are the official answers for Sunday, January 18, 2026, as reported by Parade, CNET, and various gaming blogs:

Across: 1. CUZ, 4. LANE, 5. RANDB (or R AND B), 6. AVOIR, 7. PANDA

Down: 1. CANON, 2. UNDID, 3. ZEBRA, 4. LAVA, 5. RAP

Whether you’re a crossword veteran or just looking for a quick brain teaser, The Mini continues to offer a few moments of daily delight. With its blend of wit, wordplay, and community spirit, it’s no wonder so many look forward to that 10 p.m. reset—and to the next set of clues waiting just around the corner.