NYT Mini Crossword hints & answers: Monday, October 12, 2026

Updated: Monday, October 12, 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 Monday, October 12, 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 (October 12, 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 (4-Across).

Mini answers — October 12, 2026

★Two answers to get you moving

1A — Dot on a domino: PIP
1D — A little doodle, for example: PUPPY

★All the Across answers, explained

1A — Dot on a domino: PIP
4A — Person you secretly like: CRUSH
6A — Like the taste of many I.P.A.s: HOPPY
7A — Awards named for a cable sports channel: ESPYS
8A — Tina of "Mean Girls": FEY

★All the Down answers, explained

1D — A little doodle, for example: PUPPY
2D — Game words before "… with my little eye": ISPY
3D — The "P" of P.E.: Abbr.: PHYS
4D — One who's skilled with a skillet: CHEF
5D — Valentine's Day flower: ROSE

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 (94 puzzles) → · How to play the Mini (and get faster) →