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NYT’s The Mini Crossword Answers and Hints
Across
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SOAP is the correct answer because before William Wrigley Jr. transitioned into chewing gum production, he started by selling products like soap. To promote sales, he offered free baking powder and gum as premiums, which eventually led him to focus on gum entirely due to its popularity.
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The clue refers to actors Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt, both of whom share the first name "CHRIS." Hemsworth is known for playing Thor in the Marvel movies, while Pratt stars as Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy series. Thus, "CHRIS" is the correct answer.
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The answer "ABOVE" fits the clue "Superior to" because "above" means higher than or surpassing something, aligning with the definition of being superior in rank, position, or physical location. It's a direct synonym, making it the correct solution for this straightforward clue.
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The phrase "___ buddies (close pals)" uses the term "bosom" metaphorically, referring to deep, intimate friendship or closeness, as in "bosom friends." The term "bosom" symbolizes the chest, representing closeness and heartfelt connection, aligning perfectly with the clue for close pals.
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The "Abominable Snowman" is a mythical creature from Himalayan folklore, often described as a large, ape-like being. The term "YETI" is its commonly known name. This straightforward synonym clue matches the two names, with YETI being the accepted answer in crossword and popular usage.
Down
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The clue "Souvenir" from a scrape uses wordplay. A "souvenir" is something you keep as a reminder, and a SCAB is the result or "reminder" left from a healing scrape or wound. It's a literal mark left behind—fitting metaphorically as a keepsake of the injury.
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The clue "Here we go again ..." in quotes suggests a spoken or exclamatory phrase. "OH BOY" fits as an expression of exasperation, anticipation, or disbelief, depending on the situation—perfectly aligning with the tone of someone reacting to a repeated event.
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The word "AROSE" means "came up" or "emerged," which fits the clue "Suddenly came up, as an issue." The sudden emergence or surfacing of an issue aligns perfectly with the definition of arose. It's a direct, non-punny clue-answer relationship.
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In basketball, a pivot is a fundamental footwork move where one foot stays planted on the ground while the other moves to adjust position. This allows players to change direction or protect the ball, fitting the "bit of basketball footwork" clue perfectly.
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The answer "SEMI" refers to a semi-truck, a large freight truck often seen on highways. Due to its massive size and slower acceleration, drivers can get frustrated when a semi shifts into the passing lane, as it slows down traffic flow. The clue uses wordplay for this relatable scenario.
Today’s Game Difficulty
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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 Tuesday Mini from Sam Ezersky, the editor of Spellng Bee, leans into quick-hit wordplay with a clever mix of everyday phrases and unexpected meanings. We see some trivia tucked in, a sports move to puzzle out, and even a throwback expression or two that might surprise.
Today's Tricky Wordplay
Here's what caught our attention today:
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.
For years, the Mini was free to play daily without a subscription. However, starting August 27, 2025, it became subscriber-only. This change has frustrated many fans, especially as the Mini had grown more ambitious, incorporating themes, wordplay tricks, linked clues, and even echoing entries from the Daily Crossword. In hindsight, these evolutions may have been the Times’ way of positioning the Mini closer to its flagship puzzle.
Here on our page, access is still free, and we also feature the most complete Mini archive and solving resources available anywhere.
We also offer a fresh daily game, Word of Fortune, inspired by Mini-style clues and blending features from other favorites: players must guess a single word from a clue, with the option to spin a wheel for letter hints.
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 Pips Today - Hints & Solutions
- 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.