NY Times Crossword
NY Times Wordle
NY Times Connections
NY Times Connections Sports Edition
NY Times Strands
NY Times Spelling Bee
Word Salad
Contexto
Blossom
Betweenle
Conexo
Bracket City
Anagram Solver
Scrabble Word Finder
Words With Friends Word Finder
Play Zorzzle
Browser Extension
NYT’s The Mini Crossword Answers and Hints
Across
-
The answer is FARGO because it’s a 1996 film by the Coen brothers, set predominantly in Minnesota despite its title referencing Fargo, North Dakota. The clue clarifies the distinction (“not North Dakota”) to highlight the film's Minnesota setting, where most of the story unfolds.
-
An idiom is a phrase whose meaning isn't literal but rather culturally or contextually specific (e.g., "raining cats and dogs"). This makes it challenging to translate directly into another language, as its meaning often doesn't align word-for-word. The question mark hints at this playful interpretation.
-
TUTUS is the correct answer because pointe shoes are worn in ballet, and tutus are iconic, lightweight skirts typically worn by ballet dancers. The clue directly connects ballet attire ("pointe shoes") with a specific type of skirt commonly associated with it.
-
The answer "LED" fits "Was in front" because "led" is the past tense of "lead," which means to be at the front or to guide. It directly matches the clue's definition of being ahead or taking the lead in something.
-
The TSA, or Transportation Security Administration, is responsible for airport security in the U.S. Since implementing the Real ID Act, the TSA now requires Real ID-compliant identification for travelers at airport checkpoints, connecting directly to the clue’s mention of "checking for Real IDs." It's the appropriate organization referenced.
Down
-
The clue "In shape" directly describes someone who is physically healthy, toned, or well-conditioned, which aligns with the definition of the word "FIT." Additionally, "fit" can generally mean suitable or appropriate, reinforcing its connection to being in good form or condition.
-
The answer is ADULT because content labeled as "adult" typically includes themes or material unsuitable for minors, such as explicit media or mature topics. This type of content often requires age verification to ensure it is accessed only by individuals of legal age, aligning with the clue.
-
The clue "Baptisms and bat mitzvahs" refers to ceremonial practices or formal acts often part of significant life events or religious traditions. The word "RITES" perfectly matches this definition, as it denotes rituals or formal ceremonies, making it the correct answer.
-
Gouda is a semi-hard Dutch cheese that is popularly smoked to enhance its flavor. The clue emphasizes "frequently smoked," which aligns with Gouda being one of the most common cheeses to undergo this process, giving it a distinctive smoky taste.
-
The answer "OMS" represents the chanting sound commonly made by meditators during practices like yoga or meditation. "Om" (or "Aum") is a sacred sound in Hinduism and Buddhism, often used to aid focus and relaxation. The plural "Oms" addresses the multiple meditators mentioned in the clue.
Today’s Game Difficulty
Easy
Rate Your Difficulty
Rate This Solver
Hit a roadblock solving today's NYT The Mini? Lady Puzzle is happy to lend a hand. Click her for hints, reveal the entire puzzle, uncover squares one by one, or explore clue answers. Whatever solving style you prefer, this is your go-to tool for finishing NYT's The Mini Crossword!
Today’s NYT Mini Highlights
Today’s Monday Mini by Christina Iverson is a breezy start to the week, with clean, accessible clues. Topics range from classic films and cheese varieties to meditation and travel, offering a nice mix of pop culture and everyday knowledge. A solid intro puzzle for new solvers.
Today's Tricky Wordplay
Here's what caught our attention today:
- Film by the Coen brothers set almost entirely in Minnesota (not North Dakota)
- Phrase that's tough to translate, maybe
- Skirts often worn with pointe shoes
- Org. now checking for Real IDs
- Sounds from meditators
What is NYT The Mini Crossword?
NYT The Mini Crossword is a compact version of the New York Times Crossword puzzle. Usually 5 x 5, with larger grids on Saturdays, it offers mid-week equivalent difficulty clues with no progression over the week. It is accessible to anyone with or without a New York Times account. You can play it on nytimes.com/crosswords, The New York Times Games app (iOS and Android), and the Play tab of the New York Times News app. Games and All Access Subscribers can solve past Mini Crossword puzzles in the archive.
Daily Availability
Puzzles are accessible the evening before the publish date. Weekday and Saturday puzzles: 10 p.m. EST the previous day. Sunday puzzles: 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Today's NYT Puzzle Guides by LadyPuzzle Pro
- Today's Wordle
- Connections Hint Today
- NYT Crossword Answers Today
- Strands Answers Today
- Spelling Bee Hints
- Connections Sports Edition (The Athletic)
How to Play - Features and Tips
Fill white squares with letters to form intersecting words or phrases by solving clues in Across and Down columns. Read our guide to NYT Mini Mastery to learn how to read the different types of clues. Successfully completed puzzle triggers music and a congratulatory message.
Keyboard Shortcuts
- Arrow keys: Change direction within the same square, move in the direction of the arrow, jump back to the first blank in the word, or jump to the next clue.
- Spacebar: Clear the current square, advance, or toggle between Across and Down.
- Backspace (Delete on Macs): Remove words or a letter from a word.
- Tab key: Jump to the next clue.
- Shift + Tab keys: Jump to the previous clue.
- Escape: Enter Rebus mode.
- Pen and Pencil Modes. Switch between pen and pencil modes by selecting the respective icon. Letters in pen mode are black; in pencil mode, gray.
Letter Colors
Black: Default pen mode entries.
Gray: Pencil mode entries.
Blue: Confirmed letters with Check.
Mini Timer
Time your solving with the timer displayed above the puzzle. Pause/resume using the respective buttons. The timer restarts if the entire puzzle is cleared. Option to hide the timer in Puzzle settings.
In-game Help
- Reveal: Unveil correct letters for a square, answer, or the entire puzzle.
- Check: Verify correctness.
The answers you get using help are marked with a red triangle in the upper right-hand corner of the box while those confirmed with a check become blue.
Leaderboards
It’s an additional social resource provided by NYT. You can add friends (up to 100 invitees) to track daily completion and compete.