The NYT Mini: A Bite-Sized Daily Brain Exercise
Unlike longer and more complex puzzles, the Mini is designed to be solved in just a few minutes, yet its compact format belies the cleverness often found within. Whether played during a short coffee break or as part of a daily word game ritual that includes Wordle, Connections, and Strands, the Mini remains a fixture on many users’ smartphones and browsers.
As always, today’s Mini presents a neat grid of just a few words running across and down — but don’t be deceived by its size. The clues require lateral thinking, cultural awareness, and sometimes, a bit of luck.
NYT Mini Crossword Hints for June 8, 2025
Before revealing the final answers, solvers seeking a nudge can consult the following hints for both the Across and Down entries.
These tips preserve the solving experience without spoiling the fun outright.
Across Clues:
- 1 Across: Org. with shooting stars — Hint: Ends in “A”
- 4 Across: Buildings with weather vanes, stereotypically — Hint: Begins with “B”
- 6 Across: Swiss watch brand — Hint: Begins with “O”
- 7 Across: What Santa, Gandalf and Dumbledore each have — Hint: Ends in “D”
- 8 Across: Pie in the ___ — Hint: Ends in “Y”
Down Clues:
- 1 Down: “I’m bad with ___” (party excuse) — Hint: Ends in “S”
- 2 Down: Start of a billiards game — Hint: Begins with “B”
- 3 Down: Seeing red — Hint: Begins with “A”
- 4 Down: Timothée’s role in A Complete Unknown — Hint: Ends in “B”
- 5 Down: Feeling blue — Hint: Ends in “D”
Complete NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, June 8
Spoiler Warning: The answers below are provided for solvers, as per a report by Parade magazine, who wish to verify their solutions or have chosen to skip the puzzle altogether. Use discretion when scrolling.
Across Answers:
- 1 Across: NBA
- 4 Across: BARNS
- 6 Across: OMEGA
- 7 Across: BEARD
- 8 Across: SKY
Down Answers:
- 1 Down: NAMES
- 2 Down: BREAK
- 3 Down: ANGRY
- 4 Down: BOB
- 5 Down: SAD
Why the Mini Crossword Remains Popular
With each passing day, The New York Times Crossword legacy continues to expand its digital offerings, and the Mini is clearly a mainstay of that portfolio. For solvers on Sunday, June 8, the puzzle delivered a crisp blend of pop culture, wordplay, and strategy — all within a 5×5 grid.
FAQs
What is the NYT Mini Crossword?
The NYT Mini Crossword is a bite-sized, daily crossword puzzle from The New York Times. It features a compact 5×5 grid that offers a quick yet intellectually satisfying word challenge. Unlike the larger standard Crossword, the Mini is designed for short bursts of gameplay, perfect for a coffee break.
When is the Mini Crossword updated each day?
The Mini Crossword refreshes daily at 12:30 p.m. ET, giving players a new puzzle to solve each afternoon.
