NYT Mini Crossword Answers Today
By Joel Fagliano
Across
Down
- 1Square crackerSALTINE
- 2Three: PrefixTRI
- 4Show offFLAUNT
- 5Ward (off)FEND
- 6Be sincereMEANIT
- 7Throws a hissy-fitPOUTS
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. Five lines on sheet music — Answer: STAFF. Hint: Think of the set of horizontal lines where musical notes find their place 🎼
- 6. Material for the Venus de Milo and Michelangelo's David — Answer: MARBLE. Hint: Think of the pale stone that made these iconic sculptures possible. 🗿
- 7. Bird that helps to rescue Nemo in "Finding Nemo" — Answer: PELICAN. Hint: Think of the big coastal bird with a pouch-like bill that lends a wing during Nemo’s rescue. 🐦
- 8. ___ milk — Answer: OAT. Hint: Think of the creamy, plant-based milk that baristas often steam for lattes. 🥛
- 9. Pal — Answer: BUD. Hint: This word often describes a close friend or companion, especially in a casual context! 🤗
- 10. Collective way of singing — Answer: UNISON. Hint: When everyone sings the same melody together, they’re using this musical approach. 🎶
- 12. Metal container that's a synonym for "insignificant" — Answer: TINPOT. Hint: Think of a humble metal can that can also describe something unimpressive. 🥫
- 13. "Rare" order at a restaurant — Answer: STEAK. Hint: A diner who prefers their beef barely cooked might place this order. 🥩
Down
- 1. Square cracker — Answer: SALTINE. Hint: This crisp, lightly salted snack is a classic companion to soup or cheese. 🧀
- 2. Three: Prefix — Answer: TRI. Hint: This prefix signals a group of three, as in a bicycle with three wheels. 🚲
- 3. What often starts with an apple and ends with a zebra — Answer: ABCBOOK. Hint: Think of a beginner-friendly book that teaches letters through examples from A to Z. 📚
- 4. Show off — Answer: FLAUNT. Hint: To do this is to display something proudly, perhaps a new outfit or talent. 😎
- 5. Ward (off) — Answer: FEND. Hint: Keep danger at bay with this protective action. 🛡️
- 6. Be sincere — Answer: MEANIT. Hint: Speak from the heart and genuinely stand behind your words. 💬
- 7. Throws a hissy-fit — Answer: POUTS. Hint: Shows displeasure with a sulky facial expression 😤
- 11. Destination for a mother-daughter day, perhaps — Answer: SPA. Hint: A relaxing place where you can enjoy pampering and quality time together 💆
Next NYT Mini update in
A new puzzle unlocks at 10 p.m. Eastern on weekdays and 6 p.m. Eastern on weekends (Sat, Aug 8, 10:20 PM UTC).
Recent NYT Mini Answers
The last 7 days of solutions
Need today's NYT Mini Crossword answers? Every across and down solution for today's puzzle — dated August 8, 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.
Full NYT Mini Crossword answer list for today
Every clue from today's grid next to its solution — the same answers as the board above, in one plain list you can scan without tapping.
Across
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Five lines on sheet music | STAFF |
| 6 | Material for the Venus de Milo and Michelangelo's David | MARBLE |
| 7 | Bird that helps to rescue Nemo in "Finding Nemo" | PELICAN |
| 8 | ___ milk | OAT |
| 9 | Pal | BUD |
| 10 | Collective way of singing | UNISON |
| 12 | Metal container that's a synonym for "insignificant" | TINPOT |
| 13 | "Rare" order at a restaurant | STEAK |
Down
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square cracker | SALTINE |
| 2 | Three: Prefix | TRI |
| 3 | What often starts with an apple and ends with a zebra | ABCBOOK |
| 4 | Show off | FLAUNT |
| 5 | Ward (off) | FEND |
| 6 | Be sincere | MEANIT |
| 7 | Throws a hissy-fit | POUTS |
| 11 | Destination for a mother-daughter day, perhaps | SPA |
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 (August 8, 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.