NYT Mini Crossword June 29: Hints and answers to solve the Sunday brain teaser

For word puzzle aficionados, a day is often incomplete without taking on The New York Times’ Mini Crossword. As part of a growing suite of free-to-play digital word games including Wordle, Connections, and Strands, the NYT Mini today once again delivered its trademark mix of clever clues and concise challenge.

The Mini Crossword differs from its bigger sibling in size and accessibility. Published daily by the New York Times, it refreshes each evening at 10 p.m. ET, giving players a head start before the next day begins. Sunday’s puzzle, dated June 29, 2025, was no exception in offering a tight five-by-five grid filled with linguistic twists.

Hints to Crack the NYT Mini Today

For players who might be struggling to decipher the answers, helpful clues for both Across and Down words provide a guided approach to cracking the grid.

Across Clues:

• 1 Across: Throw ___ (subtly criticize) – Hint: Ends with "E"
  
• 6 Across: DNA sequences – Hint: Starts with "G"
  
• 7 Across: Call for change? – Hint: Starts with "T"
  
• 8 Across: Place to renew an I.D. – Hint: Ends with "V"
  
• 9 Across: Get a look at – Hint: Ends with "E"
  

Down Clues:

• 1 Down: "___ Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" – Hint: Ends with "T"
  
• 2 Down: Call for change? – Hint: Starts with "H"
  
• 3 Down: "Dragon Ball Z" genre – Hint: Starts with "A"
  
• 4 Down: Dig (into) – Hint: Ends with "E"
  
• 5 Down: Slalom shape – Hint: Starts with "E"
  

These clues combine popular culture, basic science, and wordplay to create a well-rounded test of vocabulary and logic.

NYT Mini Crossword Answers for June 29, 2025

For those who wish to confirm their guesses or simply check the correct entries, the complete answers for today’s puzzle are as follows:

Across Answers:

• 1 Across: SHADE
  
• 6 Across: GENES
  
• 7 Across: TAILS
  
• 8 Across: DMV
  
• 9 Across: SEE
  

Down Answers:

• 1 Down: SGT
  
• 2 Down: HEADS
  
• 3 Down: ANIME
  
• 4 Down: DELVE
  
• 5 Down: ESS
  

A Daily Ritual for Puzzle Fans

For many, solving the NYT Mini today is a cherished part of their daily routine, often tackled with a morning coffee or during a quiet break in the day. The game’s brevity and punchy difficulty have earned it a loyal following distinct from the audience of the full-length NYT Crossword, which requires a subscription.

FAQs

What is the NYT Mini Crossword?

The NYT Mini Crossword is a short, 5x5 daily crossword puzzle published by The New York Times. It offers a fast, accessible word game experience that complements the full-size crossword and other NYT word games like Wordle, Connections, and Strands.

What time does the Mini Crossword update each day?

The Mini refreshes daily at 10 p.m. ET, allowing players to access the next day's puzzle in advance.