NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Tuesday, January 6, 2026

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 6, 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, January 6, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: When pigs fly — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”

6 Across: Courtroom excuse — HINT: Ends with the letter “I”

7 Across: “That’s a _____!” (“Seems unlikely!”) — HINT: Starts with the letter “B”

8 Across: Cash register compartment —HINT: Ends with the letter “L”

9 Across: She, in French — 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: Catch, as a crook — HINT: Ends with the letter “B”

2 Down: Designation for prolific Yelp reviewers — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”

3 Down: Candlelight ____ (solemn observance) — HINT: Ends with the letter “L”

4 Down: Online invoice — HINT: Ends with the letter “L”

5 Down: Piece of equipment in a Winter Olympics biathlon — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Tuesday, January 6, 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: When pigs fly — NEVER

6 Across: Courtroom excuse — ALIBI

7 Across: “That’s a _____!” (“Seems unlikely!”) — BIGIF

8 Across: Cash register compartment — TILL

9 Across: She, in French — ELLE

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Catch, as a crook — NAB

2 Down: Designation for prolific Yelp reviewers — ELITE

3 Down: Candlelight ____ (solemn observance) — VIGIL

4 Down: Online invoice — EBILL

5 Down: Piece of equipment in a Winter Olympics biathlon — RIFLE

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