NYT Mini Crossword clues August 10: Hints and answers for today’s puzzle

For many puzzle enthusiasts, the day’s mental warm-up is not complete without ticking off the NYT Mini Crossword. The bite-sized version of The New York Times’ iconic daily crossword has carved a loyal fan base, thanks to its quick yet tricky clues that can be cracked over a coffee break or a short commute.

Unlike the full-sized NYT Crossword, which requires a subscription and can take hours to complete, the Mini resets daily at 10 p.m. ET, offering players a fresh challenge. Sunday’s edition, dated August 10, 2025, proved to be a neat mix of pop culture references, wordplay, and straightforward definitions, but not without a few moments that could stump even seasoned solvers.

NYT Mini Crossword: A Quick Guide Before the Spoilers

Before revealing the full answers, here’s a brief rundown of how the NYT Mini Crossword works. The grid is smaller than the standard puzzle, usually five-by-five squares, with clues split into “Across” and “Down.”


Players can choose to start with Across clues, Down clues, or hop back and forth depending on where the easiest entry points appear. While experienced solvers often finish within a minute, newer players sometimes take longer, especially when a clue demands knowledge outside their comfort zone.

NYT Mini Crossword: Across Clues and Hints for August 10

For those still working on today’s puzzle, here are the Across clues and a little nudge for each:

• 1 Across: Try to tag — Think of a game you might play in a park; the answer ends with “E.”
  
• 6 Across: Fictional sports icon with a statue by the Philadelphia Museum of Art — Starts with “R” and has become a cultural symbol far beyond cinema.
  
• 7 Across: Loosen, as laces — Starts with “U” and often done before slipping off shoes.
  
• 8 Across: Trigger for a werewolf’s transformation — Ends with “N” and common in horror lore.
  
• 9 Across: “It’s freezing!” — Starts with “B” and expresses a shiver.
  

NYT Mini Crossword: Down Clues and Hints for August 10

The Down section for today’s NYT Mini Crossword has a mix of descriptive and trivia-based prompts:

• 1 Down: Table tidbit — Starts with “C” and often left behind after a meal.
  
• 2 Down: Pay homage to — Ends with “R” and suggests showing deep respect.
  
• 3 Down: Driver, Cooper or Butler — Starts with “A” and relates to their profession.
  
• 4 Down: Poisonous part of a poison dart frog — Starts with “S” and covers its exterior.
  
• 5 Down: Needle opening — Ends with “E” and used for threading.
  

NYT Mini Crossword: Across and Down Answers

For readers ready to check their grids or give up the chase entirely, here are the confirmed answers for Sunday’s puzzle, as per a report by Parade magazine:

Across:

1. CHASE — A nod to playground games and pursuits.
   
2. ROCKY — The cinematic boxer immortalised in bronze in Philadelphia.
   
3. UNTIE — The act of loosening laces or knots.
   
4. MOON — The celestial body triggering werewolf myths.
   
5. BRR — The onomatopoeic shiver when it’s cold.
   

Down:

1. CRUMB — A tiny leftover from bread or cake.
   
2. HONOR — To respect or commemorate someone or something.
   
3. ACTOR — The profession shared by Adam Driver, Bradley Cooper, and Gerard Butler.
   
4. SKIN — The outer layer of the frog, which carries toxins.
   
5. EYE — The small opening in a sewing needle.

FAQs

What is the NYT Mini Crossword?

It’s a smaller, faster version of The New York Times daily crossword. With a five-by-five grid and quick clues, it’s designed to be solved in a few minutes, perfect for a coffee break or short commute.

When is the NYT Mini Crossword released?

A new puzzle is published daily at 10 p.m. ET