Finishing a crossword puzzle in under a minute is one of the most satisfying daily rituals. Mini crosswords have quietly become a morning habit for millions, offering a quick mental stretch without the time commitment of a full-sized grid. The New York Times introduced its version in 2014, and today at least five major publishers offer their own daily mini puzzles. This guide compares the options so you can find the one that fits your routine.

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Publishers offering mini crosswords: 5+ ·
Average grid size: 5×5 ·
Daily puzzles: Yes ·
Free access: Mostly free with registration ·
Mobile apps available: Yes (NYT, LA Times, Boston Globe)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact total number of publishers offering mini crosswords nationwide
  • Whether all mini crosswords are computer-generated or hand-constructed
  • Origin of the first mini crossword puzzle
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • More publishers likely to adopt mini formats as daily engagement tools (LA Times Press Release)
  • Expect more midi-sized crosswords bridging mini and full-size (LA Times Press Release)
  • Mobile apps with leaderboards and streaks becoming standard (LA Times Press Release)
Key facts about the major mini crossword publishers at a glance.
Label Value
Number of daily puzzles 5+ (one per publisher)
Average solve time Under 1 minute
Free play without registration Only LA Times and Guardian
Mobile apps NYT, LA Times, Boston Globe
Largest grid 7×7 (Boston Globe Sunday)

The pattern: every publisher uses the mini crossword as a daily habit hook, but each strikes a different balance between premium quality and free access.

What is a Mini Crossword?

A mini crossword is a compact version of the standard crossword puzzle, typically built on a 5×5 grid and designed to be solved in under a minute. The New York Times describes its version as “a bite-sized puzzle that can be solved in just a few minutes” (The New York Times Company corporate site). Unlike full-sized crosswords that can take 15 to 45 minutes, mini crosswords aim for a quick mental refresh.

History of the Mini Crossword

  • The New York Times introduced The Mini Crossword in 2014 (The New York Times Company corporate site), responding to demand for a quicker daily puzzle.
  • The Los Angeles Times followed with its own Mini Crossword, first indexed in March 2020 (Los Angeles Times games page).
  • The format has since spread to the Boston Globe, The Guardian, the Seattle Times, and independent puzzle platforms like Arkadium (Arkadium independent puzzle platform).

Typical grid size and difficulty

  • Most mini crosswords use a 5×5 grid, though the Boston Globe offers a 7×7 grid on Sundays.
  • Clues are generally simpler than full-size puzzles, with shorter word lengths and fewer obscure references.
  • The NYT Help Center notes that the Mini is available to subscribers with access to Games (NYT Help Center documentation).
The upshot

Mini crosswords are the espresso shot of the puzzle world: small, fast, and designed to deliver a quick hit of satisfaction. For publishers, they’re a low-friction way to keep readers coming back daily.

Where can I play the Mini Crossword today?

You can play mini crosswords on the websites of most major newspapers, plus a few independent game platforms. The experience varies by publisher — some require registration, others are entirely free, and a few offer mobile apps with added features like streaks and leaderboards.

Play the Mini Crossword online

  • The NYT Mini can be played on the web at nytimes.com/crosswords, in the NYT Games app, and in the News app (NYT Help Center documentation).
  • The LA Times Mini is available at latimes.com/games/mini-crossword and is explicitly free (Los Angeles Times games page).
  • The Boston Globe Mini is accessible on the Globe’s website with a free registration.
  • The Guardian’s mini crossword is published as a numbered series (e.g., “Mini crossword No 192”) and is free to play on the Guardian website.
  • Arkadium offers a free online mini crossword described as “short and sweet” (Arkadium independent puzzle platform).

Free and unlimited options

  • The LA Times Mini is free with no paywall — no registration required (Word Tips crossword solver resource).
  • The Guardian and Arkadium also offer free play without requiring an account.
  • The NYT Mini is free for a limited number of puzzles per day; full access requires a Games subscription.
  • Third-party guides note that the LA Times Mini is mobile-friendly, making it easy to play on the go (Try Hard Guides puzzle solution guide).
The trade-off

Free access often comes with trade-offs: fewer features, no archive access, and sometimes ads. The NYT charges because its puzzles are a core product; the LA Times uses its mini as a free entry point to its broader games portfolio.

What are the major Mini Crossword publishers?

Five publishers dominate the mini crossword landscape, each with a distinct approach to difficulty, pricing, and platform. The biggest news: the LA Times expanded its lineup in March 2026 with a Midi Crossword that sits between the Mini and the Daily in size (LA Times Press Release).

The New York Times Mini

  • 5×5 grid, published daily.
  • Available at 10 p.m. EST the evening before its publish date (weekdays and Saturdays); Sunday puzzles drop at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday (NYT Help Center documentation).
  • Requires a Games subscription after a free daily limit.
  • Known for sharp, clever clues that often have a pop-culture slant.
  • Available on the NYT Games app with leaderboards and streak tracking.

Boston Globe Mini

  • 5×5 grid on weekdays, 7×7 grid on Sundays.
  • Free with a registration account.
  • Daily puzzles available on the web and mobile.
  • Clues tend to be more straightforward than the NYT version.

LA Times Mini

  • 5×5 grid, published daily.
  • Free to play without any registration (Los Angeles Times games page).
  • Third-party sources suggest puzzles release around midnight ET (Try Hard Guides puzzle solution guide).
  • Part of a larger games portfolio that includes Daily, Midi, and Mini crosswords (LA Times Press Release).
  • Mobile-friendly design with streak and score tracking.

Guardian Mini

  • Published as a numbered series (e.g., “Mini crossword No 192”).
  • Free to play on the Guardian website without registration.
  • Web-only — no dedicated mobile app.
  • Uses British English spelling and clue conventions.

Seattle Times Mini

  • 5×5 grid, published daily.
  • Free with a registration account.
  • Also offers a “Midi Crossword” for players who want a slightly larger challenge.
  • Web-only access.
The pattern

Every publisher uses the mini crossword as a daily habit hook. The NYT bets on premium quality; the LA Times and Guardian use free access to build audience. The Boston Globe and Seattle Times sit in the middle, requiring registration but no payment.

Is there an easy Mini Crossword?

Not all mini crosswords are created equal. Difficulty varies by publisher, and some are notably friendlier to beginners than others. The LA Times Mini and Boston Globe Mini are generally considered the most accessible.

Difficulty levels across publishers

  • The LA Times Mini is consistently described as approachable, with straightforward clues and no paywall, making it a popular starting point (Word Tips crossword solver resource).
  • The Boston Globe Mini uses simpler vocabulary and is less likely to include obscure trivia.
  • The NYT Mini is known for trickier, more playful clues — it rewards cultural knowledge and wordplay skills.
  • The Guardian Mini uses British English, which can be a hurdle for American solvers but is manageable for UK readers.
  • The Seattle Times Mini is roughly on par with the LA Times in difficulty.

Tips for beginners

  • Start with the LA Times Mini or Boston Globe Mini — both are free and have gentler clue curves.
  • Focus on filling in the shortest words first; they often unlock the rest of the grid.
  • Use the “reveal letter” or “reveal word” feature if the publisher offers one — it’s a learning tool, not a cheat.
  • Practice daily. The rhythm of clue-writing becomes predictable after a few sessions.
Why this matters

The barrier to entry for mini crosswords is already low, but the easiest puzzles serve a specific function: they convert casual players into daily solvers. A too-hard first experience can turn someone off permanently.

How do the different Mini Crosswords compare?

Five publishers, five approaches. The table below lays out the key differences across grid size, cost, release timing, and mobile support — the factors that matter most when choosing your daily mini.

Feature NYT Mini LA Times Mini Boston Globe Mini Guardian Mini Seattle Times Mini
Grid size 5×5 5×5 5×5 (7×7 Sunday) 5×5 5×5
Cost Subscription after free limit Free, no registration Free with registration Free, no registration Free with registration
Release time 10 p.m. EST evening before (NYT Help Center) Midnight ET (per third-party guides) (Try Hard Guides) Daily Daily Daily
Mobile app Yes (NYT Games app) Yes (mobile-friendly web) Yes No No
Streaks/leaderboards Yes Yes (LA Times) No No No
Unique feature Sharp, pop-culture clues Part of Daily/Midi/Mini portfolio (LA Times Press Release) Larger Sunday grid British English, numbered series Also offers Midi Crossword

The data shows a clear split: the NYT Mini is the premium product with the sharpest clues and the earliest release time, while the LA Times Mini is the most accessible free option. The Boston Globe offers the most variety with its Sunday 7×7 grid, and the Guardian serves a UK audience that prefers British spelling conventions. The Seattle Times is the most regional option but still offers a solid daily puzzle.

The catch

The “best” mini crossword depends on what you value most: the NYT delivers the highest-quality clue-writing but at a cost; the LA Times delivers the best free experience; the Boston Globe gives you the most variety in grid size. There’s no single winner, only the right fit for your habits.

What players are saying

The NYT Mini is described as “all the fun of the larger crossword, but you can solve it in seconds.”

The New York Times Company corporate site

Arkadium describes its mini crossword as “short and sweet,” reflecting the market positioning of mini-format puzzles as quick, satisfying breaks.

Arkadium independent puzzle platform

The LA Times Mini Crossword page explicitly says the puzzle is free and encourages players to track streaks and scores.

Los Angeles Times games page

The LA Times Daily Crossword page notes that “expert-crafted clues get tougher as the week goes on,” a pattern that also applies to the Mini format in most publications.

Los Angeles Times games page

For the casual solver who wants a free daily puzzle with no friction, the LA Times Mini is the clear pick. For the crossword enthusiast who values clever clue-writing and doesn’t mind paying, the NYT Mini is worth the subscription. The Boston Globe Mini offers the best grid variety, while the Guardian and Seattle Times serve niche audiences well. The choice is straightforward: pick your priority — cost, quality, or variety — and the right mini crossword follows.

Additional sources

word.tips, play.google.com, arkadium.com, dictionary.com, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Mini Crossword harder than a regular crossword?

No. Mini crosswords are designed to be easier and faster to solve. The grid is smaller (usually 5×5), clues are more straightforward, and word lengths are shorter. A regular crossword can take 15–45 minutes; a mini typically takes under a minute.

Do all mini crosswords have themes?

Most mini crosswords do not have themed grids the way larger Sunday crosswords do. The focus is on quick, clean solving with a few interconnected words. Some publishers occasionally include a subtle theme, but it’s not standard.

Can I play mini crossword offline?

The NYT Mini can be downloaded within the NYT Games app for offline play if you have an active subscription. Most other publishers’ mini crosswords require an internet connection because they are web-based or rely on live data for streaks and scores.

How often are new puzzles released?

All major publishers release a new mini crossword every day. The NYT releases its puzzle at 10 p.m. EST the evening before the publish date (NYT Help Center). The LA Times releases its puzzle daily, with third-party sources citing a midnight ET drop (Try Hard Guides).

Is the Fox Mini Crossword the same as the NYT mini?

No. The Fox Mini Crossword is a separate puzzle published by Fox News Digital. It is not affiliated with the New York Times. The two puzzles have different constructors, different clue styles, and different release schedules. The term “Fox Mini” sometimes confuses readers because both are 5×5 grids, but they are distinct products.

What is the best mini crossword app?

The NYT Games app is the most polished, with a clean interface, streak tracking, leaderboards, and offline play. The LA Times offers a mobile-friendly web experience that works well in a browser but does not have a dedicated app. The Boston Globe has a mobile app, while the Guardian and Seattle Times are web-only. For most users, the NYT Games app is the best overall experience, though it requires a subscription.

Why is the mini crossword so popular?

Mini crosswords are popular because they deliver a satisfying puzzle-solving experience in under a minute. They fit easily into a morning coffee routine, a commute, or a quick break. Publishers like them because they drive daily return visits and build habit loops. The format’s low time commitment lowers the barrier to entry, attracting players who wouldn’t attempt a full-size crossword.