NYT Mini Crossword
The Mini is the crossword for people who do not have time for a crossword. A small grid, a handful of clues, and most solvers are done in under two minutes.
Opens the real game on nytimes.com. Free, in a new tab.
- Made by
- The New York Times
- Created by
- Joel Fagliano, in 2014
- Grid
- Small, usually five by five
- New puzzle
- Every day
- Plays on
- nytimes.com and the NYT Games app
- Category
- Word games, word grids
How to play NYT Mini Crossword
- Pick a starting square
Tap a square and the clue for that row or column lights up.
- Fill across and down
Each answer fills one row or one column.
- Check the crossings
Every square belongs to two words, so one answer gives you letters for others.
- Finish the grid
The clock stops when every square is right.
Why the Mini is so fast
A five by five grid has only ten answers, and every letter is shared by two of them. Once two or three words are in, the rest of the grid is mostly filled in for you, which is why the Mini rewards quick reading more than deep knowledge.
NYT Mini Crossword tips
- Do the fill in the blank clues first. They fall fastest.
- A question mark at the end of a clue means a pun is coming.
- Speed solvers read the down clues as soon as the first across row is in.
NYT Mini Crossword questions
Where can I find the NYT Mini answers today?
On our NYT Mini Crossword answers page. It lists every clue, gives a first letter hint for each, and shows the full grid only when you ask.
Is the NYT Mini crossword free?
The New York Times moved the Mini behind its Games subscription in 2025. The LA Times Mini Crossword is a free daily alternative.
Who made the Mini?
Joel Fagliano created it for The New York Times in 2014.
How long does the Mini take?
Most players need one to three minutes, and fast solvers finish in well under one.
Facts checked on 2026-11-13. NYT Mini Crossword belongs to The New York Times. Megadle is not linked to it.