Are you stuck on today’s Mini Crossword puzzle from The New York Times? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Solving the daily Mini has become a beloved ritual for puzzle lovers across the world. Whether you play it first thing in the morning with your coffee or wind down your day by tackling those little boxes, the NYT Mini is a fun mental challenge that keeps your brain sharp. If today’s clues are giving you a hard time, we’ve got your back. Below, you’ll find helpful hints to nudge you in the right direction without spoiling the fun—unless you scroll too far and reach the answers, of course.
To help you enjoy the challenge without giving too much away, we’ve separated the clues by direction. First, let’s look at the Across clues with some hints to point you in the right direction.
Across Clues with Hints:
1 Across: Often left behind on your plate after eating toast. Hint: It begins with a “C” and is the outer edge.
6 Across: Describes someone very physically attractive, often used jokingly. Hint: It ends with a “Y” and rhymes with “chunky.”
7 Across: Something you do to get a marker ready before writing. Hint: Think of removing the cap.
8 Across: Actor Nick who starred in the movie 48 Hrs. Hint: His last name ends in an “E.”
9 Across: In baseball, it’s the lower part of the strike zone. Hint: It’s a part of the body and starts with a “K.”
Down Clues with Hints:
1 Down: An alternative to chips in cookie recipes. Hint: It’s a bigger piece and ends with a “K.”
2 Down: A type of sentence that keeps going and lacks proper punctuation. Hint: It starts with an “R” and is a grammar issue.
3 Down: A family member—your cousin’s father. Hint: A simple five-letter word that ends in “E.”
4 Down: What happens when you lose control on icy pavement. Hint: Starts with an “S,” common in winter driving mishaps.
5 Down: Action commonly done on a laptop or desktop using your fingers. Hint: Ends in “S” and involves typing.
Now that you’ve had time to puzzle things out, scroll carefully if you want to check your work or if you need a full reveal. Spoilers below!
If you’ve reached this section, you’re either double-checking your answers or ready to see what you missed. Here are the complete solutions for today’s Mini:
Across Answers:
1 Across: CRUST — The outer layer of bread that’s often left behind.
6 Across: HUNKY — A slang term for someone who’s considered very attractive.
7 Across: UNCAP — The action of removing a cap, especially from a pen or marker.
8 Across: NOLTE — Nick Nolte, the American actor known for 48 Hrs. and many other films.
9 Across: KNEES — The lower boundary of a baseball strike zone.
Down Answers:
1 Down: CHUNK — In baking, a chunk is a larger piece often used instead of a chip in recipes.
2 Down: RUNON — A run-on sentence is a grammatical error when two clauses are joined improperly.
3 Down: UNCLE — Your cousin’s dad is, of course, your uncle.
4 Down: SKATE — To skid or lose control, especially on ice.
5 Down: TYPES — What your fingers do when you’re using a keyboard.
Final Thoughts
The NYT Mini Crossword from The New York Times may be small, but it packs a delightful punch every day. Today’s puzzle had a nice mix of pop culture, basic vocabulary, and clever wordplay that keeps regular solvers coming back for more. If you managed to breeze through it—congratulations! And if you found a few clues tricky, that’s okay too. The beauty of the Mini lies in its ability to challenge and entertain in equal measure. Stuck one day, streak the next—that’s the nature of puzzles. Keep at it, and you’ll find your solving skills sharpen with every passing day. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for fresh hints and solutions. Until then, happy puzzling!
