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Explore Today's NYT Mini Crossword Clues

Can you complete the NYT Mini Crossword in under a minute? This article presents today's clues to challenge your skills! The NYT Mini is a beloved puzzle, known for its quick format. The New York Times crossword is a compact version of the traditional crossword puzzle, featured in over 300 newspapers and available online. This American-style puzzle is published daily in The New York Times, with difficulty levels that ramp up throughout the week, starting easy on Mondays and reaching peak difficulty on Saturdays. The Sunday Crossword, a larger version, is showcased in the New York Times Magazine and holds a significant place in American culture.

Understanding the NYT Mini Crossword

The NYT Mini Crossword is an enjoyable daily puzzle that is smaller than 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 puzzle, the Mini is designed to be simpler.

Accessing the Mini Crossword

Unlike the larger NYT Crossword, the Mini version 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 necessary.

Tips for Solving the Mini Crossword

• 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 words.
• If you're uncertain about an answer, feel free 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 checking hints, attempt to solve the puzzle independently.

Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for June 18, 2025

Still struggling with some tricky words? Don't worry! Here are the solutions for today's NYT Mini Crossword:

ACROSS Answers

1: Hit the stores — SHOP

5: Cross one’s fingers — HOPE

6: Here’s a thought! — BRAIN

7: Old episode — RERUN

8: Request for a follow on social media — ADDME

DOWN Answers

1: Tear to pieces — SHRED

2: Be bad at throwing things away — HOARD

3: Drug referenced by the magic poppy field in “The Wizard of Oz” — OPIUM

4: Tubular pasta — PENNE

6: Its sizes are measured in cups — BRA

The History of the Mini Crossword

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, especially those who found the full-size puzzle daunting. The NYT website and mobile app offer the Mini daily for free, and the quality of the puzzle has been maintained through careful editing over the years. Joel Fagliano has been the editor of the Mini Crossword since its inception, with contributions from various freelance creators.

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