NYT Mini Crossword hints & answers: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Updated: Saturday, October 17, 2026 · Hints reviewed by Omer Liban · New puzzle at 10pm ET the night before (6pm ET on weekends). · Puzzle editor: Sam Ezersky.

This page has every level of help for the NYT Mini Crossword puzzle of Saturday, October 17, 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 17, 2026)

1Today's Mini, spoiler-free

7×7 grid · 10 Across and 7 Down clues · by Sam Ezersky.
The longest answer today is 7 letters (1-Across).

Mini answers — October 17, 2026

★Two answers to get you moving

1A — "A book which people praise and don't read," per Mark Twain: CLASSIC
1D — Zagreb's country: CROATIA

★All the Across answers, explained

1A — "A book which people praise and don't read," per Mark Twain: CLASSIC
8A — Cheese used in lasagna: RICOTTA
9A — Two hours of free drinks at a wedding, say: OPENBAR
10A — Swanky event in a gallery: ARTGALA
11A — Uncle, in Spanish: TIO
12A — Basketball net holder: RIM
13A — B&B relative: INN
14A — ___ kwon do: TAE
15A — Number shown on a dating profile: AGE
16A — Show that The Weeknd has performed on, aptly enough: SNL

★All the Down answers, explained

1D — Zagreb's country: CROATIA
2D — Piercing seen while puckering: LIPRING
3D — Chemical ingredient in nail polish remover: ACETONE
4D — Karaoke choice: SONG
5D — Caribbean resort island for the ultrawealthy, familiarly: STBARTS
6D — Like antipasti, manicotti and gelati: ITALIAN
7D — Gooey part of a Snickers bar: CARAMEL

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) →