Can you complete the NYT Mini Crossword in under a minute? This article presents today's clues to challenge your puzzle-solving abilities! The NYT Mini is a beloved puzzle format, offering a quick version of the traditional crossword found in The New York Times. This puzzle is featured in over 300 newspapers and is also available online, making it a well-known American-style crossword that appears daily. The difficulty level varies throughout the week, with Mondays being the easiest and Saturdays the most challenging. The larger Sunday Crossword is a staple in the New York Times Magazine and holds a significant place in American culture.

The NYT Mini Crossword is an engaging daily puzzle that serves as a smaller alternative to the standard NYT Crossword. Accessible to anyone with a New York Times account, this puzzle, crafted by Joel Fagliano, typically features three to five clues in each direction on a 5×5 grid, although larger 7×7 grids may appear on Saturdays. Compared to the traditional daily crossword, the Mini is designed to be more approachable.

Unlike the full-sized NYT Crossword, the Mini can be played for free on the New York Times website or through the NYT Games app. However, to access previous puzzles, a subscription to NYT Games is required.

• Begin with straightforward clues to establish a base of letters and words. Focus on hints that have short answers or are based on common knowledge.
• Pay attention to intersecting letters as you fill in answers, as they can help solve other clues.
• If you're uncertain about an answer, don't hesitate to make a guess; you can always change it later if needed.
• Try rearranging letters to form words, concentrating on common crossword answers and patterns.
• Common answers often relate to history, geography, and pop culture.
• Before consulting hints, attempt to solve the puzzle independently.

If you're struggling with today's tricky words, here are the solutions:

1: Org. defending individual rights — ACLU

5: Repeated words that lead up to … — HIPHIP

7: What puzzle solvers don’t look down on — ACROSS

8: … a big cheer! — HOORAY

9: Hathaway who starred in “The Princess Diaries” — ANNE

1: Garment on which it’s totally acceptable to get food stains — APRON

2: Doing the dishes or mowing the lawn — CHORE

3: Younger sister to Bart, older sister to Maggie — LISA

4: “… ___-daisy!” — OOPSY

5: Bit of laughter — RAH

6: Image of a compass, for Safari — ICON

The NYT Mini Crossword was launched on August 21, 2014, to provide a quicker and more accessible daily challenge for puzzle enthusiasts. It was designed to attract a broader audience, particularly those who found the full-size crossword daunting. The NYT website and mobile app offer the Mini daily for free, and the quality of the puzzle has been enhanced over the years through careful editing. Joel Fagliano has been at the helm of editing the Mini Crossword since its inception.