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NYT’s The Mini Crossword Answers and Hints

Across

  • The answer "BROAD" fits the clue "Wide-ranging" because "broad" means extensive, wide, or far-reaching, which aligns directly with the definition of "wide-ranging." There are no wordplay or language indicators, so this is a straightforward definition-based clue.

  • FRANCE is the answer because both Comté and Camembert are famous French cheeses. Comté originates from the Franche-Comté region, and Camembert is traditionally from Normandy. France is renowned for its cheese production, making it the logical solution to this clue.

  • The answer is PLANETS because in 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a "dwarf planet" by the International Astronomical Union, reducing the traditional nine (nonet) planets in our solar system to eight (octet). This wordplay reference connects the clue to the redefinition of planetary status.

  • The answer "RAV" refers to the Toyota RAV4, a compact SUV model. The clue "Toyota's ___4" directly hints at the name of this popular vehicle. "RAV" stands for "Recreational Active Vehicle," completing the model's name when paired with "4" to signify four-wheel drive.

  • A WOK is a traditional cooking pan with a distinctive bowl-shaped design, widely used in Asian cuisine for stir-frying, steaming, and more. Its rounded shape allows for even heat distribution, fitting the clue "Bowl-shaped pan" perfectly.

  • The answer is AVATAR because James Cameron's 2009 sci-fi epic "Avatar" became the highest-grossing film of all time, surpassing previous records. Its groundbreaking visuals and broad appeal contributed to its box office dominance, a title it regained in re-releases, holding the top spot as of 2023.

  • The solution "TODAY" is correct because it is the first word in the lyrics of Oasis's song "Wonderwall." The opening line of the song is "Today is gonna be the day," making "TODAY" the literal answer to the clue.

  • TROY is the solution because Helen of Troy is a famous figure in Greek mythology, often referred to as the most beautiful woman in the world. Her abduction by Paris, prince of Troy, led to the Trojan War. The phrase "Helen of ___" directly alludes to this mythological connection.

Down

  • The clue "Swagger" refers to a display of boldness or confidence, often flamboyant or exaggerated. The word "BRAVADO" perfectly matches this definition, as it signifies a show of boldness or swagger, often with an element of bravura or bluster. It fits both tone and meaning precisely.

  • The clue "Competed in a marathon" directly refers to the action of participating in a race or marathon. The verb “ran” accurately captures the physical act of running, which is the typical way to compete in a marathon, making RAN the fitting answer.

  • The clue "Street sign with an arrow" directly points to a "ONEWAY" sign, which typically features an arrow indicating the permitted direction of traffic on a one-way street. The arrow visually communicates the intended direction, making ONEWAY the logical solution.

  • The answer is ACTOR because both Jon Hamm and Kevin Bacon are well-known individuals who work professionally in film, television, and theater, making "actor" their primary occupation. The clue directly refers to their shared profession without any wordplay or additional layers.

  • The clue "Office furniture" refers to items typically found in an office setting. A DESK is a fundamental piece of office furniture, serving as a workspace for tasks like writing, using a computer, or organizing documents. Therefore, DESK aligns perfectly as the solution.

  • The clue "Ice cream option" refers to the fact that when choosing ice cream, one typically selects a flavor (e.g., chocolate, vanilla, etc.). FLAVOR directly answers the clue as it's the type of option considered when picking ice cream. Simple and straightforward!

  • The answer is PRATT because Chris Pratt is the actor who plays the lead role of Star-Lord in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie series. The clue directly references this well-known actor, making PRATT the correct solution.

  • The answer is TAY because "Tay" is a common shortening of Taylor Swift's first name. When doubled ("Tay Tay"), it refers to a playful or affectionate nickname often used by fans or in pop culture for the singer.

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Today’s NYT Mini Highlights

Joel Fagliano’s Saturday Mini serves up a lively mix of trivia, vocabulary, and pop culture. There’s a celestial clue that nods to Pluto’s demotion, a musical reference tucked into a Britpop anthem, and a cheeky nickname pointing to a certain pop superstar. Movie buffs get a blockbuster box-office record to recall, while food lovers can savor both French cheeses and global kitchenware. Add in swagger, street signs, and a superhero actor, and the grid feels broad in every sense—short, snappy, and satisfying.

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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.

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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.

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  • 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.
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  • Tab key: Jump to the next clue.
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  • 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.

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Black: Default pen mode entries.
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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.

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