Mini Crossword Answers — October 26, 2026

    All across and down answers for the NYT Mini Crossword from October 26, 2026.

    Daily brief

    Mini #24668

    Monday, October 26, 2026

    partial

    Updated

    Today's hints

    Verified against 1 source; re-checked at 12:10/16:10 UTC.

    Answer-free grid

    Estimated solve time
    105, 180
    1. 28 open squares sit inside a 5-by-6 grid with 2 blocks.
    2. 5 answers run across the board, while 6 run down.

    Difficulty: 3

    This band is shown with every input used to compute it.

    • answer-slot count
    • average answer length
    • crossing density

    Clue wording is paraphrased — original clues at nytimes.com.

    Mini Crossword

    Monday, October 26, 2026

    Today's Crossword

    1C
    2R
    3U
    4N
    5C
    6H
    7H
    O
    H
    O
    H
    O
    8A
    V
    A
    T
    A
    R
    9N
    E
    U
    R
    O
    N
    10L
    E
    S
    S

    Across

    • 1.
      Clue paraphrase pending(6 letters)CRUNCH
    • 7.
      Clue paraphrase pending(6 letters)HOHOHO
    • 8.
      Clue paraphrase pending(6 letters)AVATAR
    • 9.
      Clue paraphrase pending(6 letters)NEURON
    • 10.
      Clue paraphrase pending(4 letters)LESS

    Down

    • 1.
      Clue paraphrase pending(4 letters)CHAN
    • 2.
      Clue paraphrase pending(4 letters)ROVE
    • 3.
      Clue paraphrase pending(5 letters)UHAUL
    • 4.
      Clue paraphrase pending(5 letters)NOTRE
    • 5.
      Clue paraphrase pending(5 letters)CHAOS
    • 6.
      Clue paraphrase pending(5 letters)HORNS

    Puzzle Insights

    • Focus on filling in the shortest words first
    • Use intersecting letters to narrow down possibilities
    • The Mini often includes current events and pop culture references
    • Plural clues typically end with 'S'
    • Look for wordplay in the clues - puns and double meanings are common

    Mini Crossword Strategies

    Starting Strategies

    • Scan all clues first before filling anything in
    • Start with the clues you're most confident about
    • Fill in plural answers when you identify them (usually end with 'S')
    • Look for 3-letter words, which are often common in crosswords

    Common Abbreviations

    • Direction: N, S, E, W for North, South, East, West
    • Time: HR (hour), MIN (minute), SEC (second)
    • Organizations: UN, NATO, WHO, NBA, NFL, MLB
    • Academic degrees: BA, BS, MBA, PHD
    • Months: JAN, FEB, MAR, etc.

    Working with Intersections

    • Use letters from completed words to help solve intersecting words
    • If stuck, focus on areas with the most filled-in letters
    • When two answers intersect, both must work with the shared letter

    Common Mini Crossword Themes

    • Current events and holidays
    • Pop culture references
    • Wordplay and puns
    • Simple themes that bind several answers together

    Yesterday's full result

    2026-10-25

    Puzzle Number
    24655
    Grid
      • Is Black
        Yes
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        F
        Number
        1
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        O
        Number
        2
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        L
        Number
        3
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        K
        Number
        4
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        L
        Number
        5
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        E
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        V
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        E
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        E
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        I
        Number
        6
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        M
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        E
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        A
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        N
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        F
        Number
        7
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        U
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        N
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        K
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Is Black
        Yes
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        E
        Number
        8
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        R
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Letter
        S
        Is Black
        No
        Is Circled
        No
      • Is Black
        Yes
        Is Circled
        No
      • Is Black
        Yes
        Is Circled
        No
    Clues
    • Number
      1
      Direction
      across
      Answer
      FOLK
      Word Info
      Word
      FOLK
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      people in general (often used in the plural)
    • Number
      5
      Direction
      across
      Answer
      LEVEE
      Word Info
      Word
      LEVEE
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a formal reception of visitors or guests (as at a royal court)
    • Number
      6
      Direction
      across
      Answer
      IMEAN
      Word Info
      Word
      IMEAN
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
    • Number
      7
      Direction
      across
      Answer
      FUNK
      Word Info
      Word
      FUNK
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      13
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a state of nervous depression
    • Number
      8
      Direction
      across
      Answer
      ERS
      Word Info
      Word
      ERS
      Scrabble Score
      3
      Wwf Score
      3
    • Number
      1
      Direction
      down
      Answer
      FEMUR
      Word Info
      Word
      FEMUR
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the longest and thickest bone of the human skeleton; extends from the pelvis to the knee
    • Number
      2
      Direction
      down
      Answer
      OVENS
      Word Info
      Word
      OVENS
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
    • Number
      3
      Direction
      down
      Answer
      LEAK
      Word Info
      Word
      LEAK
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape
    • Number
      4
      Direction
      down
      Answer
      KEN
      Word Info
      Word
      KEN
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      range of what one can know or understand
    • Number
      5
      Direction
      down
      Answer
      LIFE
      Word Info
      Word
      LIFE
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a characteristic state or mode of living

    Source verification

    Sources
    1
    Agreement
    single
    Confidence
    partial
    • 1: verified (0 ms)

    Checked 2026-10-26T07:30:03.118Z

    Recent answers

    • 2026-10-25 — puzzleNumber: 24655 · answers: FOLK, LEVEE, IMEAN, FUNK, ERS, FEMUR, OVENS, LEAK, KEN, LIFE
    • 2026-10-24 — puzzleNumber: 24631 · answers: MLB, PRIUS, PACKRAT, ATLANTA, THEBEAN, SALTY, NET, MRCLEAN, LIKABLE, BURNETT, PATHS, SATAY, PAT, TAN
    • 2026-10-23 — puzzleNumber: 24667 · answers: FAST, INCH, FORUM, TREND, HAWKS, FIFTH, ANORA, SCREW, THUNK, MDS
    • 2026-10-22 — puzzleNumber: 24666 · answers: SPAN, AIDE, DOORS, UPDO, STYX, SAD, PIOUS, ADOPT, NERDY, SOX
    • 2026-10-21 — puzzleNumber: 24458 · answers: PASS, ITON, GENAI, UGGS, PSST, PIG, ATEUP, SONGS, SNAGS, IST
    • 2026-10-20 — puzzleNumber: 24609 · answers: BOW, SCORE, LACES, EPCOT, WEE, BOCCE, OREO, WEST, SLEW, CAPE
    • 2026-10-19 — puzzleNumber: 24603 · answers: WAFT, GENIE, RAVEN, EVIL, WELD, WEAVE, ANVIL, FIELD, TEN, GREW
    • 2026-10-18 — puzzleNumber: 24632 · answers: FIB, WALDO, ITALY, NOSES, SMH, FLASH, IDLE, BOYS, WINS, ATOM
    • 2026-10-17 — puzzleNumber: 24607 · answers: CLASSIC, RICOTTA, OPENBAR, ARTGALA, TIO, RIM, INN, TAE, AGE, SNL, CROATIA, LIPRING, ACETONE, SONG, STBARTS, ITALIAN, CARAMEL
    • 2026-10-16 — puzzleNumber: 24621 · answers: LAVA, STOPIT, POSTIT, AMELIA, RESY, LOSES, APTLY, VIII, ATTA, SPAR, TOME
    • 2026-10-15 — puzzleNumber: 24555 · answers: GRAYS, ROMEO, ALIEN, ZESTY, EXS, GRAZE, ROLEX, AMISS, YEET, SONY
    • 2026-10-14 — puzzleNumber: 24611 · answers: BATHS, ADIEU, NOBEL, KRILL, EASY, BANK, ADORE, TIBIA, HEELS, SULLY
    • 2026-10-13 — puzzleNumber: 24620 · answers: CAT, CAIRO, BROAD, SOLID, BIN, CAROB, AIOLI, TRAIN, CBS, ODD
    • 2026-10-12 — puzzleNumber: 24608 · answers: PIP, CRUSH, HOPPY, ESPYS, FEY, PUPPY, ISPY, PHYS, CHEF, ROSE

    Archive statistics

    Average Answer Length By Weekday
    Sunday
    4.4
    Saturday
    5.1
    Friday
    4.5
    Thursday
    4.4
    Wednesday
    4.4
    Tuesday
    4.5
    Monday
    4.4
    Most Repeated Fill
    • Answer
      NET
      Count
      5
    • Answer
      TEN
      Count
      5
    • Answer
      EYE
      Count
      4
    • Answer
      EYES
      Count
      4
    • Answer
      SHELL
      Count
      4
    • Answer
      YES
      Count
      4
    • Answer
      END
      Count
      3
    • Answer
      MAN
      Count
      3
    • Answer
      OFF
      Count
      3
    • Answer
      RED
      Count
      3
    • Answer
      STY
      Count
      3
    • Answer
      ADIEU
      Count
      2
    • Answer
      ADOPT
      Count
      2
    • Answer
      AISLE
      Count
      2
    • Answer
      ALGAE
      Count
      2
    • Answer
      ALIST
      Count
      2
    • Answer
      ALLIN
      Count
      2
    • Answer
      AMIGO
      Count
      2
    • Answer
      AMUSE
      Count
      2
    • Answer
      ANGER
      Count
      2

    How this brief was computed

    Hint classes: computed

    Generated lines used: 0

    Verification run: 20261026T074502Z

    ← Browse all past Mini Crossword answers

    How It Works

    The Mini Crossword is the New York Times' bite-sized daily puzzle, featuring a 5×5 grid with both across and down clues. We provide quick hints and solutions to help you solve it efficiently.

    Mini Crossword Tips

    • Unlike the main crossword, the Mini almost never includes obscure knowledge
    • Think of common words, phrases, and current events
    • The Mini often includes wordplay and puns
    • Start with the shorter words, as they're usually easier to solve
    • When stuck, focus on intersections where you already have letters filled in

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How big is the NYT Mini Crossword?

    The NYT Mini Crossword is a 5x5 grid puzzle, much smaller than the standard 15x15 crossword. This compact size makes it perfect for a quick puzzle break, typically taking 1-5 minutes to complete.

    What time does the NYT Mini Crossword reset?

    The NYT Mini Crossword resets at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before, giving subscribers early access. For non-subscribers, it becomes available at midnight Eastern Time.

    Is the NYT Mini Crossword free?

    Yes, the NYT Mini Crossword is free to play on the New York Times website and app. Unlike the full daily crossword, you don't need a subscription to access the Mini.

    Mini Crossword strategy & tips

    Why the Mini is a speed game

    The NYT Mini is a 5×5 grid (occasionally larger on weekends) that most solvers finish in under a minute or two. Because it’s small, every answer crosses several others, so the Mini rewards a different instinct than the big weekday crossword: get any foothold, then let the crossings cascade.

    There’s no shame in skipping a clue you don’t know — in a grid this dense, two or three confident answers usually hand you the rest through their crossing letters.

    Start with fill-in-the-blank and short answers

    • Fill-in-the-blank clues (e.g. “___ and cheese”) are the fastest gimmes — solve them first for free crossing letters.
    • Short common entries — three-letter answers like ERA, ONE, ATE, OREO, AREA show up constantly; spotting them instantly opens crossings.
    • Plurals and tenses — if a clue is plural, the answer probably ends in S; that single letter can crack a crossing word.

    Let the crossings do the work

    The core Mini technique: the moment you’re unsure of an Across answer, jump to the Down answers crossing it. Each crossing letter you place narrows the uncertain word until it’s obvious. Toggling between Across and Down at every intersection is faster than staring at one tough clue.

    If a clue has multiple plausible answers (e.g. a 4-letter word for “shut”), don’t commit — wait for one crossing letter to disambiguate, then fill with confidence.

    Know the “crosswordese”

    The Mini reuses a vocabulary of short, vowel-friendly words that appear far more in crosswords than in life — OREO, ENO, ELI, ASEA, ETA, ESE. Learning to recognize these by their clue style turns a stuck corner into an instant fill — our Mini Crossword tips guide lists the highest-value crosswordese to learn first. The Monday Mini is the easiest; difficulty drifts up slightly through the week.

    When a corner won’t fall

    Re-read the clue for a double meaning — Mini clues love puns and “?” misdirection. If a corner is locked, fill every crossing letter you’re sure of and read the partial pattern aloud; the answer often appears once you see the letters. A new Mini is published daily and is free to play, and older grids are collected in the Mini archive.

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