NYT Mini Hints and Solutions for 26. September, 2026
The Mini #24517 for Saturday, September 26, 2026 is a 7x7 grid with 18 clues (7 Across, 11 Down), starting with 1-Across: “Alphabet song lyric before "Now I know my ABCs"”. Every answer stays hidden until you reveal it.
Across
8 Across: Sea creature whose name sounds like "Ah, baloney!" (7 letters)
9 Across: Skin markings after a sunny day on the links (7 letters)
10 Across: Gen ___ (member of the "MTV generation") (3 letters)
11 Across: Medieval weapon (7 letters)
15 Across: Fasting intermittently, say (7 letters)
16 Across: Phrases differently (7 letters)
Down
1 Down: Shake, like a dog's tail (3 letters)
2 Down: Gaming console with a number in its name (7 letters)
3 Down: Prestigious J.D. program in New Haven, Conn. (7 letters)
4 Down: Creamy pasta sauce (7 letters)
5 Down: "Believe it or ___ ..." (3 letters)
6 Down: Double-helix molecule (3 letters)
7 Down: Buddhism branch associated with gardens (3 letters)
11 Down: "___ favor" (basic Spanish phrase) (3 letters)
12 Down: What snowboarders try to catch (3 letters)
13 Down: Crossed (out) (3 letters)
14 Down: Creatures on U.F.O.s, for short (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 7x7 with 18 clues, and its longest answer is 7 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 26, 2026
How many clues are in the September 26, 2026 NYT Mini crossword?
The Mini (#24517, 2026-09-26) has 18 clues — 7 Across and 11 Down.
What size is the September 26, 2026 Mini grid?
A 7x7 grid.
What's the longest answer in this puzzle?
7 letters — no spoilers, but that's your longest foothold if you're stuck.