NYT Mini Crossword hints & answers: Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Updated: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · Hints reviewed by Omer Liban · New puzzle at 10pm ET the night before (6pm ET on weekends). · Puzzle editor: Joel Fagliano.

This page has every level of help for the NYT Mini Crossword puzzle of Tuesday, August 18, 2026: 1 spoiler-free hint tier that narrow things down step by step, followed by the complete answers with explanations — each behind its own tap-to-reveal card.

One clue holding your Mini streak hostage? Check just that answer — every clue below is explained and hidden behind its own reveal.

The Mini is the NYT's free pocket crossword — usually 5×5, solvable in a minute or two. Answers below are hidden until you open them, so you can check just the one clue that's stumping you.

Mini hints (August 18, 2026)

1Today's Mini, spoiler-free

5×5 grid · 5 Across and 5 Down clues · by Joel Fagliano.
The longest answer today is 5 letters (1-Across).

Mini answers — August 18, 2026

★Two answers to get you moving

1A — Big ___ (cuddling partner): SPOON
1D — Divide, as the check: SPLIT

★All the Across answers, explained

1A — Big ___ (cuddling partner): SPOON
6A — Mickey Mouse's pet dog: PLUTO
7A — Foamy coffee order: LATTE
8A — Inside information, informally: INTEL
9A — Blue streams down a yellow emoji's face: TEARS

★All the Down answers, explained

1D — Divide, as the check: SPLIT
2D — It comes with wings on the side: PLANE
3D — "Get ___ town!": OUTTA
4D — Furry animal seen swimming around a kelp forest: OTTER
5D — Christmas carols: NOELS

Next in today's routine: Sports Connections → · every game's answers on one page. New puzzle at 10pm ET the night before (6pm ET on weekends). Bookmark this page for tomorrow's hints. Or play Mini on the official site.

More of today's puzzles

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Mini — common questions

What time does the NYT Mini come out?

Unusually early: the next day's Mini is released at 10pm Eastern the evening before on weekdays, and 6pm Eastern on weekends — so 'today's' Mini has usually been available since the previous evening.

Is the NYT Mini Crossword free?

Yes — the daily Mini is free to play, unlike the full NYT Crossword which needs a Games subscription. Only the Mini archive is subscriber-gated.

How big is the Mini Crossword?

Usually a 5×5 grid with around ten clues, taking most solvers under two minutes. Saturday Minis are often larger — typically 7×7 — with a few more clues.

Previous Mini puzzles

Full Mini archive (46 puzzles) → · How to play the Mini (and get faster) →