If you’re anything like me, a day isn’t complete without conquering all the free word games from the New York Times. From the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands, to the beloved The Mini Crossword, these games have become a daily ritual for many of us.
While the NYT is renowned for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has garnered its own loyal following. Interestingly, this game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some others that start anew at midnight.
So, if you find yourself tackling today’s Mini on Sunday, January 18, 2026, and need a little assistance, rest assured that we have the clues and solutions for each line. We have them neatly arranged into hints for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by the corresponding answers. Just a heads up, read cautiously to avoid spoilers as you scroll!
As you delve into the clues for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Sunday, January 18, 2026, here are some additional prompts to guide you through each word.
For the Across section:
1. “I said so, that’s why!” — HINT: Ends with the letter “Z”
4. Highway division — HINT: Starts with the letter “L”
5. Genre for Olivia Dean and Daniel Caesar — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”
6. French “to have” — HINT: Ends with the letter “R”
7. Animal that would blend in well with a crossword grid — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”
For the Down section:
1. Officially accepted storylines — HINT: Ends with the letter “N”
2. Reversed — HINT: Starts with the letter “U”
3. Animal that would blend in well with a crossword grid — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”
4. Molten flow — HINT: Starts with the letter “L”
5. Flow over a beat — HINT: Ends with the letter “P”
Uncover the answers within these clues to successfully navigate through today’s Mini Crossword. Happy puzzling!
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.