Spoilers: These clues and answers are for the NYT Mini Crossword published for Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Start with first-letter hints below if you want a nudge before seeing the full grid answers.
First-letter hints
Use these initials to narrow down a clue without revealing the complete answer.
Across
- 1A: J
- 4A: J
- 5A: J
- 6A: O
- 7A: G
Down
- 1D: J
- 2D: A
- 3D: W
- 4D: J
- 5D: J
Full answers for October 21, 2025
Full spoilers below.
Across
| Clue | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1A. Bone that can be “dropped” | JAW |
| 4A. Late scientist Goodall | JANE |
| 5A. Make critical assumptions about | JUDGE |
| 6A. Best by a little | ONE UP |
| 7A. Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, etc. | GODS |
Down
| Clue | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1D. Just kind of over it | JADED |
| 2D. Beef cattle breed | ANGUS |
| 3D. Shed tears | WEEP |
| 4D. 2007 comedy-drama starring Elliot Page and Michael Cera | JUNO |
| 5D. Refresh, as one’s memory | JOG |
How to play the NYT Mini and find past puzzles
The New York Times describes The Mini as a smaller version of its crossword: fill the white squares with letters that make intersecting words or phrases by solving Across and Down clues. According to the NYT Help Center, The Mini is available to subscribers whose plans include Games, including Games, All Access, or Home Delivery. The listed places to play are the NYT Games app, nytimes.com/crosswords, and the News app. Subscribers can also use the web or Games app archive to solve past Minis.
The Help Center lists weekday and Saturday puzzles as available at 10 p.m. EST on the previous day, and Sunday puzzles at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday. Access terms and timing can change, so check the current Help Center if you cannot open a puzzle. If you want help without revealing everything, the in-game help can check or reveal a square, an answer, or the entire puzzle.
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A quick way to work through a difficult grid
Enter answers you know first, then use their crossing letters to test uncertain entries. If a clue stalls you, move on and return after filling other parts of the grid; the crossing words may make the answer clearer.
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