NYT Mini Crossword hints & answers: Friday, September 18, 2026

Updated: Friday, September 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 Friday, September 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 (September 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 (6-Across).

Mini answers — September 18, 2026

★Two answers to get you moving

1A — San Francisco's rail system: BART
1D — Open up, as a flower: BLOOM

★All the Across answers, explained

1A — San Francisco's rail system: BART
5A — Response to a funny text: LMAO
6A — Like beer from the tap, often: FOAMY
7A — Move like honey: OOZE
8A — Group of Marvel superheroes: XMEN

★All the Down answers, explained

1D — Open up, as a flower: BLOOM
2D — Wow: AMAZE
3D — Noodle dish in a rich broth: RAMEN
4D — Happy Meal inclusion: TOY
6D — Animal known scientifically as "Vulpes vulpes": FOX

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) →