NYT Mini Hints and Solutions for 21. August, 2026
The Mini #24405 for Friday, August 21, 2026 is a 5x5 grid with 10 clues (5 Across, 5 Down), starting with 1-Across: “With 8-Across, candy pieces that got their name after the chocolatier tried to make them perfectly round, but failed”. Every answer stays hidden until you reveal it.
Across
5 Across: Home of Brunei and Bhutan (4 letters)
6 Across: Like the skin of snakes and fish (5 letters)
7 Across: Take ___ (suffer financially) (4 letters)
8 Across: See 1-Across (4 letters)
Down
1 Down: ___ Picchu (5 letters)
2 Down: "To repeat myself ..." (5 letters)
3 Down: Gentle musical melodies (5 letters)
4 Down: What "every kiss begins with," in jewelry ads (3 letters)
6 Down: Wearing an upside-down smile (3 letters)
How NYT Mini Crossword Works
The NYT Mini Crossword is a bite-sized daily puzzle created by Joel Fagliano. Unlike the standard 15x15 daily crossword, the Mini uses a compact grid — usually 5x5, sometimes larger on Saturdays — designed to be solved in a few minutes. Today's Mini is 5x5 with 10 clues, and its longest answer is 5 letters.
- Across & Down Clues are divided into horizontal (Across) and vertical (Down) directions with numbers matching grid coordinates.
- Progressive Hints Use Hint 1 for a descriptive nudge or Hint 2 for starting and ending letter bounds before using full reveals.
- Daily Reset New Mini puzzles drop daily at 10:00 PM EST on weekdays/Saturdays and 6:00 PM EST on Sundays.
NYT Mini FAQ for August 21, 2026
How many clues are in the August 21, 2026 NYT Mini crossword?
The Mini (#24405, 2026-08-21) has 10 clues — 5 Across and 5 Down.
What size is the August 21, 2026 Mini grid?
A 5x5 grid.
What's the longest answer in this puzzle?
5 letters — no spoilers, but that's your longest foothold if you're stuck.