If you’ve ever found yourself with two minutes to spare and a sudden urge to flex your vocabulary, you’ve probably already met the mini crossword. These bite-size 5×5 puzzles have quietly become a daily ritual for millions, offering a quick mental workout without the time commitment of a full-size grid.
Grid size: 5×5 (7×7 on Sundays for Boston Globe) ·
Average solve time: 1–2 minutes ·
Cost: Free on most platforms (NYT requires subscription) ·
Publishers with daily mini: NYT, Boston Globe, Guardian, Seattle Times, minicrossword.com
Quick snapshot
- Most mini crosswords use a 5×5 grid (WordTips (puzzle resource))
- NYT Mini requires a subscription (The New York Times Company (official publisher))
- Boston Globe Mini is free (Boston Globe (regional newspaper))
- Guardian mini is free and daily (The Guardian (news publisher))
- Exact number of daily mini crossword players
- When the first mini crossword was published
- Which publisher has the largest audience for mini crosswords
- New puzzles are released daily in the morning (local time) across all major publishers (MiniCrossword.com (independent puzzle site))
- NYT Mini releases at 10 p.m. ET the night before (The New York Times Company (official publisher))
- Boston Globe Mini updates daily with a larger Sunday grid (Boston Globe (regional newspaper))
- Growth of independent free puzzle sites like minicrossword.com and playminicrossword.com
- More newspapers adding mini crosswords to attract younger digital audiences
- Mobile-first solving experiences with integrated tips and stats
Five publishers, five cost structures, one common thread: they all deliver a quick puzzle fix. Here’s how they compare.
| Publisher | Grid size | Cost | Daily update |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Times | 5×5 | Subscription (Games bundle) | Yes (10 p.m. ET) |
| Boston Globe | 5×5 (7×7 Sun) | Free | Yes |
| Guardian | 5×5 | Free | Yes |
| Seattle Times | 5×5 (also Midi) | Free with site access | Yes |
| minicrossword.com | 5×5 (7×7 weekends) | Free, no account | Yes |
| WordTips | 5×5 (sometimes 6×6 or 7×7) | Free, unlimited | Yes |
The pattern: free access dominates, with the NYT standing as the sole major subscription barrier. For casual solvers, the choice is simple — just pick your favorite newspaper or independent site.
Is There a Free Mini Crossword?
Free mini crosswords from major newspapers
- The Boston Globe Mini Crossword is free to play on its website, with a 5×5 grid on weekdays and a larger 7×7 on Sundays (Boston Globe (regional newspaper)).
- The Guardian offers a free daily mini crossword as part of its puzzle suite — no paywall, no registration (The Guardian (news publisher)).
- Seattle Times provides a free mini crossword, plus a Midi variant for those wanting a bit more heft (Seattle Times (regional newspaper)).
Subscription-based mini crosswords (NYT)
The New York Times Mini Crossword is part of the NYT Games subscription, which costs a few dollars per month. It is not free — but it remains the most talked-about mini crossword in the puzzle community (The New York Times Company (official publisher)).
For budget-conscious solvers, the Boston Globe, Guardian, and independent sites like minicrossword.com offer a completely free daily fix. The trade-off: you miss the NYT’s clever cluing and polished interface, but you keep your cash.
Independent free options
- MiniCrossword.com is edited by Jeff Chen, a constructor of 150+ NYT crosswords, and delivers free daily puzzles with no account required (MiniCrossword.com (independent puzzle site)).
- WordTips offers a free daily mini that sometimes expands to 6×6 or 7×7, with highlight-and-type solving and helper buttons (WordTips (puzzle resource)).
- PlayMiniCrossword.com is an independent archive of past puzzles — all free, no sign-up, not affiliated with the NYT (PlayMiniCrossword.com (independent puzzle archive)).
- BrainPlay runs a browser-based mini crossword with daily updates, no downloads needed (BrainPlay (puzzle site)).
- Crossword Chef offers a free daily mini in its iOS app, refreshed every morning (Crossword Chef (mobile puzzle app)).
- DailyWordGames.co.uk provides a free mini crossword with no paywall and no sign-up (DailyWordGames.co.uk (word game site)).
What Is Today’s Mini Crossword?
How to access the daily mini from NYT, Boston Globe, Guardian
- NYT: Visit nytimes.com/crosswords or use the NYT Games app. The mini drops at 10 p.m. ET the night before (The New York Times Company (official publisher)).
- Boston Globe: Go to globe.com and navigate to Games. A new puzzle appears daily (Boston Globe (regional newspaper)).
- Guardian: Head to theguardian.com/crosswords; the mini is listed with a date index (The Guardian (news publisher)).
Archives and past puzzles
Most publishers keep an archive. PlayMiniCrossword.com offers every past puzzle free to replay with no sign-up (PlayMiniCrossword.com (independent puzzle archive)). MiniCrossword.com likewise maintains an archive for subscribers to past puzzles (MiniCrossword.com (independent puzzle site)). NYTMiniCrossword.org provides daily answers by date (NYTMiniCrossword.org (answer resource)).
The implication: If you missed a puzzle or want to practice, you can almost always go back. Archival access varies — some sites require an account, but many do not.
What Is the Difference Between Mini and Midi Crosswords?
Grid size and solve time comparison
- Mini crosswords are typically 5×5, designed to be solved in 1–2 minutes (WordTips (puzzle resource)).
- Midi crosswords are larger — usually 7×7 or 9×9 — taking 5–10 minutes. The Seattle Times offers a Midi Crossword alongside its mini (Seattle Times (regional newspaper)).
The midi bridges the gap between a mini and a full-size crossword. Some publishers also call a slightly larger mini a “midi” — the term is not standardized.
If you finish a mini and still crave more, the midi is your next stop — but only Seattle Times offers it consistently. For others, you’ll need to move to the full-size daily crossword.
Which Newspapers Offer Mini Crosswords?
NYT, Boston Globe, Guardian, Seattle Times, Denver Post, Fox
- New York Times — most famous mini, subscription required.
- Boston Globe — free, daily, with a larger Sunday grid.
- Guardian — free, daily, with a dedicated mini series.
- Seattle Times — free, also offers a Midi crossword.
- Denver Post — publishes a mini crossword on its website.
- Fox — the Fox Mini Crossword is available online, though it’s less prominent.
Regional newspaper mini crosswords
Several regional U.S. newspapers now run mini crosswords, often created by syndicated constructors. The Denver Post Mini Crossword is one example, free to play on their site. The Fox Mini Crossword is another option, though editorial quality varies.
The pattern: You don’t have to rely on the NYT alone. Local papers and national broadcasters are filling the demand for quick daily puzzles — and most offer them for free.
How to Find Easy or Unlimited Mini Crosswords?
Easy mini crosswords for beginners
If you’re new to crosswords, start with WordTips or BrainPlay — they offer straightforward clues and helper features like Auto-Check and Reveal All (WordTips (puzzle resource)) (BrainPlay (puzzle site)). Arkadium also recommends starting with a clue you are totally confident about to build momentum (Arkadium (game developer)).
Unlimited play options (archives and apps)
- PlayMiniCrossword.com — an archive of past puzzles, all free, no limit on replays (PlayMiniCrossword.com (independent puzzle archive)).
- MiniCrossword.com — keeps an archive; free puzzles are unlimited (MiniCrossword.com (independent puzzle site)).
- Crossword Chef iOS app — fresh mini every morning, plus a back catalog (Crossword Chef (mobile puzzle app)).
- DailyWordGames.co.uk — free forever, no sign-up, unlimited past puzzles (DailyWordGames.co.uk (word game site)).
The trade-off: Unlimited access usually means ads or a less polished interface. For ad-free unlimited play, prepare to pay — or use independent sites with minimal advertising.
How to Solve a Mini Crossword (Step by Step)
- Start with the clue you’re most confident about. WordTips highlights the active clue and outlines the answer cells as you type (WordTips (puzzle resource)).
- Fill in the crossing letters. Use answers from across and down to narrow possibilities. Arkadium calls this “using crossing letters” (Arkadium (game developer)).
- Use the Check and Reveal features if stuck. Many platforms offer Auto-Check, Reveal All, or external dictionary support (Arkadium (game developer)).
- Navigate efficiently. Tap to switch between Across and Down, or use arrow keys and Tab on desktop (PlayMiniCrossword.com (independent puzzle archive)).
- Finish in under 2 minutes. With practice, most solvers can clear a 5×5 grid in 60–90 seconds.
“The mini crossword is a compact crossword — usually a 5×5 grid — built to be solved in a minute or two.”
— Jeff Chen, editor of MiniCrossword.com (MiniCrossword.com (independent puzzle site))
“There’s a new Boston Globe Mini Crossword every day, designed for a fast, fun solve.”
— Boston Globe Games page (Boston Globe (regional newspaper))
Confirmed facts
- Most mini crosswords are 5×5 grids.
- NYT Mini requires a subscription.
- Boston Globe Mini is free.
- Guardian mini is free and daily.
- Jeff Chen edits minicrossword.com.
What’s unclear
- Exact number of daily mini crossword players.
- When the first mini crossword was published.
- Which publisher has the largest audience for mini crosswords.
For anyone building a daily puzzle habit, the abundance of free mini crosswords choices is a luxury. The real decision is whether you value the NYT’s editorial polish enough to pay, or whether one of the many free alternatives — Boston Globe, Guardian, minicrossword.com — gives you everything you need. For most solvers, the smart move is to start free and upgrade only if you crave the premium experience.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play the mini crossword on my phone?
Yes. Most publishers offer mobile-friendly websites or dedicated apps. The NYT Games app, Crossword Chef iOS app, and mobile versions of Boston Globe, Guardian, and WordTips all work well on smartphones.
Are mini crosswords suitable for children?
Absolutely. The simple 5×5 format and common words make them great for kids. They build vocabulary and pattern recognition. Start with WordTips or BrainPlay, which have lighter clues.
How do I access the NYT Mini Crossword?
Subscribe to NYT Games at nytimes.com/crosswords or download the NYT Games app. The mini is included in the subscription. A new puzzle drops at 10 p.m. ET the night before.
Do I need to create an account to play a free mini crossword?
Not for most free sources. Boston Globe, Guardian, Seattle Times, MiniCrossword.com, PlayMiniCrossword.com, BrainPlay, and DailyWordGames.co.uk all allow play without registration. WordTips and Arkadium are also account-free.
How many clues are in a typical mini crossword?
A standard 5×5 grid has about 10–12 clues total — usually 5 across and 5–7 down. Some puzzles vary slightly, but the format keeps it compact.
What time are new mini crosswords released?
Most publishers release in the morning local time. The NYT releases at 10 p.m. ET the night before. Boston Globe, Guardian, and independent sites update early in the day.
Is there a mini crossword app?
Yes. The NYT Games app, Crossword Chef iOS app, and WordTips mobile site all serve mini crosswords. Browser-based options like BrainPlay and PlayMiniCrossword.com work on mobile browsers without downloading anything.
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James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.