If you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I complete all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, 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.
If you’re working on today’s Mini on Monday, March 31, 2025, 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, March 31, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Call from an unknown number, often — HINT: It starts with the letter “S”
5 Across: Where a dog might like to be scratched — HINT: It ends with the letter “Y”
6 Across: Look forward to — HINT: It starts with the letter “A”
7 Across: Shell that can be played as a wind instrument — HINT: It ends with the letter “H”
8 Across: Patella’s place — HINT: It starts with the letter “K”
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Affix, as a patch — HINT: It ends with the letter “N”
2 Down: Maker of connections — HINT: It starts with the letter “P”
3 Down: One going down a literary rabbit hole? — HINT: It ends with the letter “E”
4 Down: “The Great Wall of China is visible from space,” for one — HINT: It starts with the letter “M”
5 Down: Where a human might like to be scratched — HINT: It ends with the letter “K”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Monday, March 31, 2025
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: Call from an unknown number, often — SPAM
5 Across: Where a dog might like to be scratched — BELLY
6 Across: Look forward to — AWAIT
7 Across: Shell that can be played as a wind instrument — CONCH
8 Across: Patella’s place — KNEE
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Affix, as a patch — SEWON
2 Down: Maker of connections — PLANE
3 Down: One going down a literary rabbit hole? — ALICE
4 Down: “The Great Wall of China is visible from space,” for one — MYTH
5 Down: Where a human might like to be scratched — BACK
That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!
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