If you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I finish all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!
Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.
So, if you’re working on today’s Mini on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Style of cuisine with bulgogi beef, for short — HINT: Ends with the letter “Q”
5 Across: How bedtime stories are read — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”
7 Across: Huge craze — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”
8 Across: Figure painted by Michelangelo, which can be found hidden in the name “Michelangelo” —HINT: Starts with the letter “A”
9 Across: Home for doves of pigeons — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: ____ Sutra — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”
2 Down: Sauvignon ____ — HINT: Starts with the letter “B”
3 Down: Large drum played by hand — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”
4 Down: “Pipe down!” — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”
6 Down: Chip’s chipmunk pal — HINT: Starts with the letter “D”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Answers
1 Across: Style of cuisine with bulgogi beef, for short — KBBQ
5 Across: How bedtime stories are read — ALOUD
7 Across: Huge craze — MANIA
8 Across: Figure painted by Michelangelo, which can be found hidden in the name “Michelangelo” — ANGEL
9 Across: Home for doves of pigeons — COTE
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: ____ Sutra — KAMA
2 Down: Sauvignon ____ — BLANC
3 Down: Large drum played by hand — BONGO
4 Down: “Pipe down!” — QUIET
6 Down: Chip’s chipmunk pal — DALE
Related: This Fan-Favorite Nontoxic Cookware Brand Just Dropped Two Handy Kitchen Must-Haves in Every Color You Can Imagine
