At a Glance
- Today’s Mini Crossword ties two clues together, forcing solvers to work around them
- 4-Across and 7-Across must be solved together: “That’s on you!”
- All answers and explanations are below for the Jan. 12, 2026 puzzle
- Why it matters: Quick access to answers saves time and keeps your daily streak alive
Puzzle fans who hit today’s tricky Mini Crossword can breathe easy-every answer is listed here. The grid contains one of those classic paired clues that force solvers to fill in surrounding entries before the linked answers snap into place.
How the linked clues work
The puzzle makers tied 4-Across and 7-Across together. Each clue refers to the other, so you can’t crack one without the other. The only practical route is to solve the remaining clues first, then let crossing letters reveal the shared phrase.
All Across answers
| Clue | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1A Internet company that popularized chat rooms | AOL | America Online dominated 1990s chat rooms before social media existed |
| 4A With 7-Across, “Hey, don’t blame me!” | THATS | First half of the idiom “That’s on you” |
| 7A See 4-Across | ONYOU | Second half of the same idiom |
| 8A Director of 2026’s The Odyssey | NOLAN | Christopher Nolan’s next epic is scheduled for 2026 release |
| 9A Marketing creations | ADS | Short for advertisements |
All Down answers
| Clue | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1D Lots and lots | ATON | Casual phrase meaning “a large amount” |
| 2D [Gulp!] | OHNO | Interjection showing sudden worry |
| 3D Signature hit for Eric Clapton | LAYLA | 1971 Derek and the Dominos classic later re-released unplugged |
| 5D Mushroom-headed character in the Mario games | TOAD | Princess Peach’s loyal attendant |
| 6D NBA team from the hottest major city in the US | SUNS | Phoenix, Arizona, holds the title for hottest major metro area |
Quick solving tips
- Start with the shortest clues; three- and four-letter entries limit possibilities
- When clues are cross-referenced, skip them and return once you have crossing letters
- Pop-culture clues like NOLAN and LAYLA often appear, so keep a mental roster of current directors and classic songs
- Abbreviations matter: ADS is plural, so the clue “Marketing creations” steers you away to the shorter form
Where to find more help
According to News Of Losangeles, today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition, and Strands answers are also available on the same puzzle-hints page. Bookmarking that hub gives you one-click access to every daily solution. For deeper strategy, the outlet’s Mini Crosswalk tips guide covers pattern spotting, common crosswordese, and speed-solving tactics.
Key Takeaways
- 4A and 7A combine to spell “That’s on you,” so tackle the rest of the grid first
- All answers are four letters or fewer, making this a quick but tightly interlocked puzzle
- Check News Of Losangeles daily for parallel solutions to the full NYT puzzle suite
