NYT Mini Hints and Solutions for 5. October, 2026
The Mini #24587 for Monday, October 5, 2026 is a 5x5 grid with 10 clues (5 Across, 5 Down), starting with 1-Across: “Baby bear”. Every answer stays hidden until you reveal it.
Across
4 Across: Goes down in defeat (5 letters)
6 Across: ___-3 fatty acids, nutritious compounds found in salmon (5 letters)
7 Across: Tech service with folders like "Sent," "Starred" and "Snoozed" (5 letters)
8 Across: Total angel (5 letters)
Down
1 Down: Semicolon without the dot (5 letters)
2 Down: Ask a question to Claude, e.g. (5 letters)
3 Down: Start (5 letters)
4 Down: Fuel for a campfire (4 letters)
5 Down: Predominant taste of anchovies (4 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 October 5, 2026
How many clues are in the October 5, 2026 NYT Mini crossword?
The Mini (#24587, 2026-10-05) has 10 clues — 5 Across and 5 Down.
What size is the October 5, 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.