Today's hints
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The answer
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Why this answer
The letters, categories, or grid logic that made this one tricky.
What made this one tricky:
- The Mini answer set is split into 15 Across entries and 9 Down entries, so checking crossings is safer than reading the list straight through.
The Saturday Mini expands to a 7×7 grid. ALASKA, COMMON and LONELY establish much of the top; ISLAND is the freestanding kitchen counter. AMNESIA and KOLKATA are the long Down anchors. Short fill includes ACL, LOO, ANY, IDK, NET and DRE.
Recent Mini Crossword answers
Stuck on a streak day? Past solves keep you moving.
Catching up? Here are the most recent solutions.
| Date | Puzzle | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Sep 4, 2026 | NYT Mini | Across: MAN, LOOSE, IN THE, ATTED, MOON. Down: MOTTO, ASHEN, NEED, LIAM, ONTO. |
More from the desk
Saturday’s larger Mini is best attacked through the long, concrete clues. ALASKA fits the state-quarter image, and KOLKATA fixes a major column once the West Bengal clue is recognized.
The trickier phrasing is SMELLER for a nose “by function” and DRE after “Dr.” in the Death Row Records clue. Crossings keep both from becoming guesswork.
The complete answer lists below follow the official grid’s Across and Down order.
FAQ
What are today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers for September 5, 2026?
Across: ALASKA, COMMON, LONELY, ELK, ISLAND, DIETER, KARATE. Down: ACL, LOO, AMNESIA, SMELLER, KOLKATA, ANY, IDK, NET, DRE.
Why is today’s Mini larger than usual?
The Saturday Mini uses a 7×7 grid, giving it more and longer entries than the standard 5×5 format.
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