NYT Mini Hints and Solutions for 20. October, 2026
The Mini #24609 for Tuesday, October 20, 2026 is a 5x5 grid with 10 clues (5 Across, 5 Down), starting with 1-Across: “Gift decoration”. Every answer stays hidden until you reveal it.
Across
4 Across: What might be all tied up for a basketball game (5 letters)
6 Across: What might be all tied up for a basketball game (5 letters)
7 Across: Theme park that Walt Disney envisioned as a utopian city (5 letters)
8 Across: Small (3 letters)
Down
1 Down: Lawn bowling game (5 letters)
2 Down: Dunkable cookie (4 letters)
3 Down: Direction headed by Lewis and Clark (4 letters)
4 Down: Whole bunch (4 letters)
5 Down: Not every hero wears one, in a saying (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 20, 2026
How many clues are in the October 20, 2026 NYT Mini crossword?
The Mini (#24609, 2026-10-20) has 10 clues — 5 Across and 5 Down.
What size is the October 20, 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.