Today’s NYT Mini Crossword for Wednesday, March 25, 2026 is a compact but satisfying grid with a mix of pop culture, nature, and everyday vocabulary clues. If you’re stuck on any entry — Across or Down — the full hints and answers are below.
Play the puzzle directly at the mini on the New York Times website.
What Is the NYT Mini Crossword?
The NYT Mini Crossword is a 5×5 grid crossword puzzle published daily by The New York Times. Unlike the full-size Sunday crossword, the Mini is designed to be completed in just a few minutes, making it an ideal daily brain warm-up. It features five Across clues and five Down clues, and covers a wide range of topics from pop culture to geography to wordplay. The puzzle resets each day at midnight Eastern Time and is free to play on the NYT Games app and website.
Across Clues and Answers
1 Across: Instrument in bluegrass music
A five-letter stringed instrument associated with American folk and country music.
Answer: BANJO
The banjo is the backbone of bluegrass music, instantly recognizable by its bright, twangy tone. It features a drum-like body and typically four or five strings.
6 Across: Publication with the headline “C.I.A. Realizes It’s Been Using Black Highlighters All These Years,” with “The”
This is a well-known satirical news outlet. Think fake headlines taken to absurd extremes.
Answer: ONION
The Onion is America’s most famous satirical publication, known for deadpan fake news stories that skewer politics, culture, and everyday life.
7 Across: Cut-off point for cropped jeans
Think about where a pair of cropped or capri-style jeans typically end on your leg.
Answer: ANKLE
Cropped jeans are defined by their hemline, which typically hits right at or just above the ankle — making ANKLE the perfect fit for this clue.
8 Across: Hilarious person
A four-letter word for someone who is extremely funny — maybe the life of the party.
Answer: RIOT
Calling someone “a riot” is a colloquial way of saying they are hilarious or wildly entertaining. It’s a lively bit of slang that fits neatly into the grid.
9 Across: Place to hibernate
A cozy, sheltered space where an animal — or a very tired person — might hunker down for the winter.
Answer: DEN
Bears and other hibernating animals retreat to dens — natural caves or burrows — to sleep through the cold months. The word also refers to a comfortable room in a home.
Down Clues and Answers
1 Down: “Tens across the ___!”
Complete this exclamation, commonly used to express that something is outstanding.
Answer: BOARD
“Tens across the board” is an expression meaning a perfect score all around — every judge gave a ten. It’s used to praise something as flawless.
2 Down: 1982 film in which Carol Burnett played Miss Hannigan
A classic movie musical with a famous red-haired orphan at its center.
Answer: ANNIE
The 1982 film adaptation of the Broadway musical Annie starred Aileen Quinn in the title role, with Carol Burnett playing the villainous Miss Hannigan, the orphanage headmistress.
3 Down: Japanese camera brand
A five-letter brand name, one of the most recognized in photography worldwide.
Answer: NIKON
Nikon is a Japanese multinational corporation best known for its cameras and optical equipment. Founded in 1917, it remains a dominant name in both professional and consumer photography.
4 Down: Sudden shock
A four-letter word for an abrupt jolt — physical or figurative.
Answer: JOLT
A jolt can be a sudden physical shock, like a bump in the road, or a mental shock, like surprising news. The word also lends its name to a famously strong caffeinated drink.
5 Down: Final number in a countdown
Think of a rocket launch, a New Year’s celebration, or a game show reveal.
Answer: ONE
Countdowns always end with ONE before the event begins. Whether it’s “3… 2… 1… liftoff!” or “Happy New Year!”, ONE is always the dramatic final beat.
More Daily Puzzle Help
Looking for more puzzle answers? Check out these recent dotwordle.com guides:
- March 24, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- March 22, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- March 21, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Answers
- March 24, 2026 Wordle #1739 Hint and Answer
- March 24, 2026 NYT Connections Puzzle #1017 Hints and Answers
- March 24, 2026 Hurdle Hints and Answers
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