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 for Today’s Mini Crossword on Monday, February 23, 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!
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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Monday, February 23, 2026
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Amorphous shape in a lava lamp — HINT: Ends with the letter “B”
5 Across: “Wonderful performance!” —HINT: Starts with the letter “B”
6 Across: Social media currency — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
7 Across: Cars that move around a miniature map — HINT: Starts with the letter “U”
8 Across: Partner of relaxation — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”
Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Offer money corruptly — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
2 Down: Canada has an estimated 2 million of them, the most of any country in the world — HINT: Starts with the letter “L”
3 Down: In-your-face — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”
4 Down: Work overseer — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
5 Down: Memory of a hectic day, perhaps — HINT: Starts with the letter “B”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Monday, February 23, 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: Amorphous shape in a lava lamp — BLOB
5 Across: “Wonderful performance!” —BRAVO
6 Across: Social media currency — LIKES
7 Across: Cars that move around a miniature map — UBERS
8 Across: Partner of relaxation — REST
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Offer money corruptly — BRIBE
2 Down: Canada has an estimated 2 million of them, the most of any country in the world — LAKES
3 Down: In-your-face — OVERT
4 Down: Work overseer — BOSS
5 Down: Memory of a hectic day, perhaps — BLUR
Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Sunday, February 22, 2026
