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 Tuesday, February 24, 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 Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Goosebumps-inducing — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
6 Across: Buddy, informally —HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
7 Across: Rub off, as pencil markings — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”
8 Across: Enjoys a quiet weekend morning, perhaps — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
9 Across: David Szalay novel that won the 2005 Booker Prize — HINT: Ends with the letter “H”
Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Section of a bookcase — HINT: Ends with the letter “F”
2 Down: Color similar to salmon that’s also named for a sea creature — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”
3 Down: Leave speechless — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
4 Down: Gets out of bed — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
5 Down: “Uff-da!” — HINT: Starts with the letter “Y”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Tuesday, February 24, 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: Goosebumps-inducing — SCARY
6 Across: Buddy, informally —HOMIE
7 Across: Rub off, as pencil markings — ERASE
8 Across: Enjoys a quiet weekend morning, perhaps — LAZES
9 Across: David Szalay novel that won the 2005 Booker Prize — FLESH
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Section of a bookcase — SHELF
2 Down: Color similar to salmon that’s also named for a sea creature — CORAL
3 Down: Leave speechless — AMAZE
4 Down: Gets out of bed — RISES
5 Down: “Uff-da!” — YEESH
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