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Mini Crosswords
Mini crosswords pack the classic crossword into a tiny 5×5 grid, popularized by The New York Times' Mini in 2014. With only a handful of short entries and few black squares, a full solve takes minutes rather than the hour a Sunday puzzle demands. The clues skew quick and modern over cryptic.
Mini Crosswords Rules
The grid is 5×5, usually with a few black squares that break it into shorter words. Numbered cells mark where an across answer (reading left to right) or a down answer (reading top to bottom) begins.
Each clue corresponds to a numbered slot. Type your answer into the white cells; because every across word crosses several down words, each letter is checked by two clues, so a confident answer in one direction confirms letters in the other.
The puzzle is solved when every white square is filled with the correct letter and all across and down answers match their clues. There is exactly one valid solution.
Mini Crosswords Strategy & Tips
Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues
Clues like "___ and cheese" usually have one obvious answer. Lock those in first to seed crossing letters across the grid.
Use crossings to break tough clues
If a tricky across clue stumps you, solve the down words that pass through it. Two or three crossing letters often make the answer obvious.
Watch the answer length
Every slot has a fixed number of cells. Count them before committing — a five-letter slot rules out a four-letter synonym you were considering.
Re-read clues after partial fills
A clue that meant nothing cold often clicks once you have a letter or two. Cycle back through unsolved clues as the grid fills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a mini crossword take?
Most solvers finish a 5×5 mini in one to three minutes. Speed solvers regularly clear it in under 30 seconds.
Are mini crosswords easier than regular crosswords?
Generally yes. The words are short, clues are straightforward, and the small grid means fewer obscure entries — but a couple of tricky clues can still slow you down.
What size is a mini crossword?
The standard mini is a 5×5 grid. Some variants run 7×7 for a slightly longer challenge.
Is there only one correct solution?
Yes. A well-built mini has a single unique answer for every square, locked in by the crossing across and down clues.