NYT Mini Crossword Today's Clues and Answers
Dec 22, 2025
NYT Mini Crossword Yesterday's Clues and Answers
21 December 2025 · 5x5 grid · 5 Across, 5 Down
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Answers for 21 December 2025
Spoiler belowAcross
1
Only U.S. president born in the month of September
TAFT
5
"I'll ___ it" ("Fine, I guess")
ALLOW
7
Material for a reusable diaper
CLOTH
8
Land of Seoul and Pyongyang
KOREA
9
One might be "Forever"
STAMP
Down
1
Metal pins on a bulletin board
TACKS
2
Separate into portions
ALLOT
3
Fauna's counterpart
FLORA
4
___ pole (symbolic carving)
TOTEM
6
Sound from a fly swatter
WHAP
NYT Mini Crossword Strategy Tips
Solve the 5x5 grid faster with these techniques.
Fill-in-the-blank clues first
Clues like "___ of the century" or "Pop ___" have a single obvious answer. Solve all fill-in-the-blank clues before tackling definition or wordplay clues. They plant anchor letters throughout the grid instantly.
Use crossing letters aggressively
In a 5x5 grid, every letter is shared by one Across and one Down answer. One solved word constrains up to 5 crossing answers. Do not guess a clue in isolation when letters from other entries can confirm it.
Watch for wordplay and double meanings
Mini clues love misdirection. "Runs in the family?" could be a DNA reference, not sprinting. A question mark at the end of a clue almost always signals a pun or a non-literal meaning.
Know the common 3-letter standbys
ERA, ORE, ALE, OAR, EEL, APE, ADE, and other short words appear repeatedly in Mini grids. When a clue is vague and the crossing letters leave only 3-letter gaps, cycle through common options.
Abbreviations signal abbreviation answers
If a clue includes "Abbr.", "for short", or lists something like "Mon. or Tue.", the answer is an abbreviation. Abbreviation answers often end in odd letter combinations that would otherwise be tricky.
The Mini refreshes at midnight ET
A new Mini Crossword goes live every day at 12:00 AM Eastern Time. If you are trying to solve on the same day it was published, check back after midnight if the puzzle is not yet showing.
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