NYT Mini Hints and Solutions for 21. September, 2026
The Mini #24538 for Monday, September 21, 2026 is a 6x5 grid with 11 clues (5 Across, 6 Down), starting with 1-Across: “Appropriate shoes to wear on moving day?”. Every answer stays hidden until you reveal it.
Across
5 Across: Optimists keep them high (5 letters)
6 Across: Baked entree with a flaky crust (6 letters)
7 Across: Appropriate gas station to find by the beach? (5 letters)
8 Across: Days of old (4 letters)
Down
1 Down: Ballot caster (5 letters)
2 Down: Appropriate store beside a farmer's market? (5 letters)
3 Down: Actor ___ Patrick Harris (4 letters)
4 Down: Opposite of NNW (3 letters)
5 Down: Appropriate snack for Santa? (4 letters)
6 Down: "Gangnam Style" rapper (3 letters)
How NYT Mini Crossword Works
The NYT Mini Crossword is a bite-sized daily puzzle created by Joel Fagliano. Unlike the standard 15x15 daily crossword, the Mini uses a compact grid — usually 5x5, sometimes larger on Saturdays — designed to be solved in a few minutes. Today's Mini is 6x5 with 11 clues, and its longest answer is 6 letters.
- Across & Down Clues are divided into horizontal (Across) and vertical (Down) directions with numbers matching grid coordinates.
- Progressive Hints Use Hint 1 for a descriptive nudge or Hint 2 for starting and ending letter bounds before using full reveals.
- Daily Reset New Mini puzzles drop daily at 10:00 PM EST on weekdays/Saturdays and 6:00 PM EST on Sundays.
NYT Mini FAQ for September 21, 2026
How many clues are in the September 21, 2026 NYT Mini crossword?
The Mini (#24538, 2026-09-21) has 11 clues — 5 Across and 6 Down.
What size is the September 21, 2026 Mini grid?
A 6x5 grid.
What's the longest answer in this puzzle?
6 letters — no spoilers, but that's your longest foothold if you're stuck.