Monday, July 06, 2026
By Joel Fagliano
Tap a square to reveal a letter.
Or reveal one clue at a time with the Clue and Answer buttons below.
NYT Mini Crossword Clues
Across
- 1Halloween silhouette
- 4Ron's assistant on "Parks and Recreation"
- 7State that only borders one other state
- 8Out of money
- 9"___ all good!"
Down
- 1Disney deer
- 2Split up
- 3Groups of three
- 5Octopus's defense against predators
- 6Harper ___, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. Halloween silhouette — Answer: BAT. Hint: This creature is known for its nocturnal flights and love for dark places! 🦇
- 4. Ron's assistant on "Parks and Recreation" — Answer: APRIL. Hint: This character has a penchant for deadpan humor and a love for the unusual! 😄
- 7. State that only borders one other state — Answer: MAINE. Hint: Think of the northeastern state known for its lobsters and lighthouses! 🦞
- 8. Out of money — Answer: BROKE. Hint: When your wallet's feeling light and your bank account's empty, what do you call it? 💸
- 9. "___ all good!" — Answer: ITS. Hint: Think of a phrase that reassures someone everything is okay! 😊
Down
- 1. Disney deer — Answer: BAMBI. Hint: This charming character learns about life in the forest and makes friends along the way! 🦌
- 2. Split up — Answer: APART. Hint: When something is not together anymore, it might be in this state! 🧩
- 3. Groups of three — Answer: TRIOS. Hint: Think of musical ensembles or iconic movie teams that come in sets of three! 🎶
- 5. Octopus's defense against predators — Answer: INK. Hint: Think of what a clever cephalopod uses to create a smokescreen! 🐙
- 6. Harper ___, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" — Answer: LEE. Hint: Think of a famous author whose last name sounds like a common word for the letter 'L'! 📚
Need today's NYT Mini Crossword answers? Every across and down solution for today's puzzle — dated July 6, 2026 — is listed at the top of this page, updated the moment the new Mini goes live. The Mini is a five-by-five speed puzzle most solvers finish in a minute or two, but a single unfamiliar name or tricky clue can jam the whole grid. Whether you want to check a finished puzzle, break a deadlock, or reveal just one stubborn square, you'll find the complete clue-by-clue answers below.
Today's NYT Mini answers
Today's solution is shown above, laid out clue by clue — every Across answer followed by every Down answer, exactly as the grid reads. Because the Mini is so small, one wrong or missing letter tends to block several crossing answers at once, so if you're stuck we list each answer separately: you can reveal only the one you need and keep solving the rest yourself. The full grid is confirmed and refreshed daily as soon as the puzzle is published.
What is the NYT Mini Crossword?
The Mini is the New York Times' free, bite-size crossword — a 5×5 grid (occasionally 7×7 on weekends) with a handful of across and down clues. Launched in 2014 and edited by Joel Fagliano, it's designed to be solved in under a minute by regulars, which is exactly why it's become a daily habit for millions and a fixture of streak-keeping. Unlike the main NYT Crossword, the Mini is free to play without a Games subscription, so it draws a huge, casual audience — and a lot of “what's today's answer?” searches when a clever clue trips people up.
How the Mini differs from the full NYT Crossword
They share an editor's sensibility but play very differently:
| NYT Mini | NYT (main) Crossword | |
|---|---|---|
| Grid size | 5×5 (7×7 weekends) | 15×15 (21×21 Sunday) |
| Typical solve time | Under a minute | 5–40+ minutes |
| Difficulty | Consistent, gentle | Ramps Monday → Saturday |
| Cost | Free | Games subscription |
| Clue style | Short, punchy, modern | Wordplay, themes, misdirection |
Tips for solving the Mini faster
- Fill the corners first. Corner squares belong to both a short across and a short down answer, so nailing one instantly gives you crossing letters.
- Trust the crossings. In a 5×5, every letter is shared — if one clue stumps you, solve its crossing word and the letter appears for free.
- Read every clue before typing. With only ten or so clues, the easy ones give you enough letters to guess the hard ones.
- Watch for the modern angle. The Mini favours contemporary references; if an old-fashioned answer isn't fitting, the setter probably wants a newer one.
- Don't overthink it. The Mini rewards your first instinct far more than the Saturday puzzle does.
Browse past NYT Mini answers
Missed yesterday's Mini, or want to settle a “what was the answer?” debate? Every previous puzzle is archived on this page by date, with its full across and down solutions. The archive updates automatically each day — today's answers roll into it as the next Mini goes live — so it stays complete without spoiling the current day for solvers who haven't finished. Prefer to solve rather than peek? Use the date picker above to jump to today's puzzle, and come back to check your answers.
Browse more puzzles on the crossword solver, or use it to crack any clue from any publication.
Frequently asked questions
What are today's NYT Mini Crossword answers?
Every across and down answer for today's Mini (July 6, 2026) is listed at the top of this page, updated as soon as the puzzle is released.
What time does the NYT Mini update?
The Mini refreshes daily — typically around 10 p.m. Eastern the night before (7 p.m. Pacific) on weekdays and 6 p.m. Eastern on weekends. We post the new answers as soon as it goes live.
Is the NYT Mini Crossword free?
Yes — unlike the main NYT Crossword, the Mini is free to play without a subscription. Our answers and clues are free too.
How do I see just one answer without spoiling the rest?
Each answer is listed separately, so you can reveal only the clue you're stuck on and keep solving the rest of the grid yourself.
Where can I find past NYT Mini answers?
Every previous Mini is in the archive on this page, listed by date with full solutions and updated automatically each day.