At a Glance
- NYT Mini Crossword released on January 29, 2026
- 10 clues total (5 across, 5 down)
- All answers provided
- Grid contains no empty squares
The latest daily puzzle from the New York Times is now complete, and the answers are all here. The mini-crossword, known for its compact grid and lack of empty squares, offers a quick challenge for casual solvers. Below you’ll find every clue and its solution, along with a quick guide to help you tackle the puzzle on your own.
Puzzle Overview
The mini-crossword is a small, self-contained grid that fits easily into a phone screen or a coffee-table spread. Unlike larger crosswords, this version has no black squares, meaning every intersection is part of a word. The format encourages rapid thinking and rewards familiarity with everyday vocabulary.
The puzzle was published on January 29, 2026, and it follows the standard New York Times style: a brief set of across and down clues that interlock to form the entire grid. The lack of empty squares means each letter is used in two words-one across and one down-making the solution both concise and interconnected.
Clue Breakdown
Below is a complete list of the clues and their answers. The across clues are listed first, followed by the down clues. Each answer is a single word that fits the given definition.
Across
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Employees, collectively | STAFF |
| 6A | The “L” of TTYL | LATER |
| 7A | Slowly lessen, as political support | ERODE |
| 8A | Dunkin’ offering | DONUT |
| 9A | Tricky things to navigate with a stroller | STEPS |
Down
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Toys that go on the decline in winter? | SLEDS |
| 2D | Set of fortunetelling cards | TAROT |
| 3D | Make amends | ATONE |
| 4D | Out of patience | FEDUP |
| 5D | Guitar bars | FRETS |
The answers are all common English words, many of which appear in everyday conversation. The puzzle’s brevity makes it ideal for a quick mental workout during a break.
Solving Tips
If you’d like to try the puzzle before the answers are released, these tips can help:
- Look for word length clues: The grid’s tight layout means each answer is short, so focus on 4- to 5-letter words.
- Use intersecting letters: Because every square belongs to two words, a correct letter in one word immediately confirms letters in the crossing word.
- Think of everyday objects: Many of the answers relate to common items or concepts, such as “DONUT” or “SLEDS.”
- Check for wordplay: The across clue for “The ‘L’ of TTYL” hints at the abbreviation’s meaning, leading to “LATER.”
- Cross-reference: If a down answer feels uncertain, see if it fits with the across answer already determined.
These strategies work well for the mini-crossword’s compact format, where every letter counts.
Why It Matters
Daily puzzles like the NYT Mini Crossword provide a brief but engaging way to sharpen vocabulary, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills. The straightforward grid encourages quick completion, making it accessible to a wide audience. By offering the answers promptly, the puzzle’s publisher helps solvers check their work and learn from any mistakes.
How to Access More Puzzles
The puzzle is part of a larger collection of daily brain teasers, including Wordle, Strands, and Connections. The same page that hosts the mini-crossword also offers hints for these other puzzles. If you enjoy solving, you can visit the News Of Los Angeles‘s NYT puzzle hints page for additional guidance.
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Key Takeaways
- The NYT Mini Crossword for January 29, 2026 is fully solved and available.
- The grid contains 10 short words, all of which intersect.
- The answers are straightforward, everyday terms.
- Quick solving strategies include using intersecting letters and focusing on common vocabulary.
- The puzzle’s design makes it ideal for a brief mental workout.
Enjoy the puzzle, and keep your mind sharp with the next daily challenge.
