The day doesn’t feel complete until the last word game is played on the New York Times. The routine of tackling the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a familiar ritual for many. Let’s not overlook the NYT’s The Mini Crossword either.
While The Crossword is popular among paid subscribers, The Mini has garnered its own following. Resetting at 10 p.m. gives it a unique charm compared to games that reset at midnight.
For those working on the Saturday, February 21, 2026, edition of The Mini Crossword, here are some clues and solutions for each line. We have divided them into hints for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by the answers, so proceed with caution if spoilers aren’t your thing.
Here are some additional hints for today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: “Jersey Shore” channel — HINT: Starts with letter “V”
4 Across: “____ Knows” (rhyming ad slogan) — HINT: Starts with letter “L”
6 Across: Second-best-selling female musician of all time, behind Taylor Swift — HINT: Ends with letter “A”
8 Across: Whiskey grain — HINT: Starts with letter “E”
9 Across: Dreaded workday: Abbr. — HINT: Ends with letter “N”
10 Across: Backfiring blunder, in modern lingo — HINT: Starts with letter “S”
12 Across: Lengthy sheet for a complicated board game, perhaps — HINT: Ends with letter “S”
13 Across: Subtle “yes” — HINT: Ends with letter “D”
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: In which high schoolers might role-play as ambassadors — HINT: Starts with letter “M”
2 Down: This clue number — HINT: Ends with letter “O”
3 Down: Paid via app, perhaps — HINT: Ends with letter “D”
4 Down: Coat of paint — HINT: Starts with letter “L”
5 Down: Falls in winter, say — HINT: Ends with letter “S”
6 Down: Married title — HINT: Starts with letter “M”
7 Down: ____ Arbor, Mich. — HINT: Ends with letter “N”
11 Down: Woman in Progressive ads — HINT: Starts with letter “F”
Need the answers? Here they are for today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Answers
1 Across: “Jersey Shore” channel — MTV
4 Across: “____ Knows” (rhyming ad slogan) — LOWES
6 Across: Second-best-selling female musician of all time, behind Taylor Swift — MADONNA
8 Across: Whiskey grain — RYE
9 Across: Dreaded workday: Abbr. — MON
10 Across: Backfiring blunder, in modern lingo — SELFOWN
12 Across: Lengthy sheet for a complicated board game, perhaps — RULES
13 Across: Subtle “yes” — NOD
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: In which high schoolers might role-play as ambassadors — MODELUN
2 Down: This clue number — TWO
3 Down: Paid via app, perhaps — VENMOED
4 Down: Coat of paint — LAYER
5 Down: Falls in winter, say — SNOWS
6 Down: Married title — MRS
7 Down: ____ Arbor, Mich. — ANN
11 Down: Woman in Progressive ads — FLO
There you have it, today’s Mini Crossword solved. Enjoy!
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.