Categories: Laptops

NYT Mini Crossword Hints, Clues and Answers for Sunday, September 13, 2026

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword is live, and leans on crisp definitions, brand trivia, and a linked-clue payoff. Settle in for a compact grid with satisfying crossings.

How The Mini Works

The Mini is a compact version of the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring a 5×5 grid with five Across and five Down clues. Saturdays expand to a larger grid with more clues. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you’ll hear a satisfying chime. No streak tracking here, but the built-in timer lets you compete against yourself or challenge friends.

New puzzles drop at 10 p.m. EST on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday’s Mini arrives earlier at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.

Quick Scan

In a rush? Here’s the at-a-glance breakdown for today’s puzzle:

Grid Size: 5×5

Total Clues: 10 (5 Across, 5 Down)

Trickiest Clue: 4D is the trickiest clue because recognizing the comedian’s quoted joke matters more than parsing a standard definition.

Gimme Clue: 5D is the clearest gimme, using a direct description of a basic printer consumable.

Theme Spotted: A linked-clue phrase connects 7A and 9A.

Clue Decoder (Hints Only)

Need a nudge without the full answer? Here’s a hint for each clue.

Across Hints

1A. ___ Sun (juice drink)
Hint: Think of the foil-pouch juice drink with “Sun” as the second word of its brand name. Five letters, starts with C.

6A. Maximum poker bet
Hint: Picture a poker player pushing every remaining chip forward. Five letters, starts with A.

7A. With 9-Across, injury treated with a raw steak in old cartoons
Hint: Supply the first part of the familiar facial injury completed by 9A. Five letters, starts with B.

8A. Only
Hint: Use a synonym for solitary or unaccompanied. Four letters, starts with L.

9A. With 7-Across, application on a football player’s face
Hint: Complete the injury phrase from 7A, then think of what football players smear beneath their lower lids. Three letters, starts with E.

Down Hints

1D. The “C” of CNN
Hint: Expand the first initial in the news network’s full name. Five letters, starts with C.

2D. Metal mixture
Hint: Name a metallic material produced by combining elements. Five letters, starts with A.

3D. What Superman is mistaken for
Hint: Complete the famous escalating cry that moves from a bird to a flying vehicle before identifying Superman. Five letters, starts with P.

4D. “___ is great when you’re hungry and you want 2,000 of something”: Mitch Hedberg
Hint: The Mitch Hedberg joke hinges on ordering 2,000 tiny edible grains one by one. Four letters, starts with R.

5D. Printer’s supply
Hint: Think of the consumable substance a printer deposits onto a page. Three letters, starts with I.

Full Answers

Spoilers below. Scroll only when you’re ready for the solutions.

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Across Answers

1A. ___ Sun (juice drink)
Answer: CAPRI

6A. Maximum poker bet
Answer: ALLIN

7A. With 9-Across, injury treated with a raw steak in old cartoons
Answer: BLACK

8A. Only
Answer: LONE

9A. With 7-Across, application on a football player’s face
Answer: EYE

Down Answers

1D. The “C” of CNN
Answer: CABLE

2D. Metal mixture
Answer: ALLOY

3D. What Superman is mistaken for
Answer: PLANE

4D. “___ is great when you’re hungry and you want 2,000 of something”: Mitch Hedberg
Answer: RICE

5D. Printer’s supply
Answer: INK

Grid Breakdown

Here’s what made today’s puzzle tick:

Standout Clue: The 7A and 9A pairing, BLACK EYE, defines the grid because one answer completes an old-cartoon injury while reversing that pairing points to a football player’s facial application.

Wordplay Winner: PLANE at 3D wins the wordplay prize by treating Superman as the object in the familiar skyward cry, rather than asking about his identity directly.

Quick Fill: INK at 5D is the fastest confident fill because its plain definition immediately supplies crossings for CAPRI, ALLIN, and BLACK.