There’s something about the daily routine of unwinding with the New York Times’ free word games that just hits differently. Whether you’re like me, making it a point to conquer the Connections, Wordle, and Strands games each day, or you’re a die-hard fan of The Mini Crossword, there’s a sense of ritual in completing these puzzles that many of us can’t resist.
While The Crossword may be the main attraction for paid subscribers, The Mini Crossword has its own devoted following. Unlike some other games that reset at midnight, The Mini resets at 10 p.m., adding an extra layer of anticipation to the daily challenge.
If you find yourself tackling The Mini on Saturday, December 13, 2025, and could use a hand, fear not. Below, you’ll find hints and solutions for each clue, carefully separated into “Across” and “Down” categories to help you navigate through without encountering any spoilers as you scroll.
Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Saturday, December 13, 2025
Taking a closer look at the clues for each word in today’s Mini Crossword may give you the extra push you need to solve them all.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Field trip vehicle — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
4 Across: Peter’s antagonist, in a musical tale — HINT: Ends with the letter “F”
8 Across: “Keep me posted,” in texts — HINT: Starts with the letter “L”
9 Across: Opera solo — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”
10 Across: ____Pen (emergency device) — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”
11 Across: With 12-Across, gets in order — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
12 Across: With 14-Across, what a tennis champ might win a match in — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”
14 Across: See 12-Across — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
15 Across: “A long time ____ in a galaxy far, far away …” — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”
16 Across: Shy and gentle — HINT: Ends with the letter “K”
17 Across: Prefix with apology or answer — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”
18 Across: Comes to a close — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
19 Across: Have to pay — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: “Goodness gracious!” — HINT: Starts with the letter “B”
2 Down: Identify many, informally — HINT: Ends with the letter “N”
3 Down: Avoid, as an issue — HINT: Ends with the letter “D”
4 Down: “Now, where ____?” — HINT: Starts with the letter “W”
5 Down: Green topping at a pizza parlor — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”
6 Down: John who played Churchill on “The Crown” — HINT: Ends with the letter “W”
7 Down: Sneaky trick to “pull” — HINT: Starts with the letter “F”
13 Down: Doesn’t just assume one has permission — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Saturday, December 13, 2025
For those brave enough to venture further, here are the correct answers to today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Answers
1 Across: Field trip vehicle — BUS
4 Across: Peter’s antagonist, in a musical tale — WOLF
8 Across: “Keep me posted,” in texts — LMK
9 Across: Opera solo — ARIA
10 Across: ____Pen (emergency device) — EPI
11 Across: With 12-Across, gets in order — SETS
12 Across: With 14-Across, what a tennis champ might win a match in — STRAIGHT
14 Across: See 12-Across — SETS
15 Across: “A long time ____ in a galaxy far, far away …” — AGO
16 Across: Shy and gentle — MEEK
17 Across: Prefix with apology or answer — NON
18 Across: Comes to a close — ENDS
19 Across: Have to pay — OWE
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: “Goodness gracious!” — BLESSME
2 Down: Identify many, informally — UMPTEEN
3 Down: Avoid, as an issue — SKIRTED
4 Down: “Now, where ____?” — WASI
5 Down: Green topping at a pizza parlor — OREGANO
6 Down: John who played Churchill on “The Crown” — LITHGOW
7 Down: Sneaky trick to “pull” — FASTONE
13 Down: Doesn’t just assume one has permission — ASKS
Unraveling the intricacies of each clue in The Mini Crossword is like solving a puzzle within a puzzle, adding a dash of mental stimulation to your day. So whether you’re a seasoned word game enthusiast or a casual player looking for a new challenge, diving into today’s Mini Crossword could be just the brain teaser you need. With hints and answers at your fingertips, consider this your guide to conquering the grid and emerging victorious at the end of the day.
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.