Welcome back, NYT Mini Crossword It’s Tuesday, June 10th, and today’s New York Times Mini Crossword is here to give your brain that quick hit of morning dopamine before you dive into your day. Whether you’re solving it on your phone, your tablet, or over your first cup of coffee at your desk (don’t worry, your boss thinks you’re checking emails), this compact 5×5 puzzle packs a surprising punch.
If you’re new to the Mini, here’s the scoop: It’s a bite-sized version of the full NYT Crossword, offering five to seven quick clues across and down. It’s free to play on the NYT Games app and perfect for those moments when you want a quick mental stretch without diving into a full grid.
Let’s get into today’s clues and answers.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers
Spoilers ahead!
Here’s your gentle warning: Below are the full answers, so if you still want to solve it yourself, this is your moment to turn back.
If you’re stuck and need just a hint, here are the first letters of each Across and Down clue:
Across
1A. Displays at a trailhead — starts with M
5A. Pulitzer-winning 2024 novel that reimagined Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s point of view — starts with J
6A. Invader in a sci-fi movie — starts with A
7A. Thin strands — starts with W
8A. ’Tude — starts with S
Down
1D. One of Michelle Obama’s daughters — starts with M
2D. A little out of whack — starts with A
3D. Marshmallow treats in Easter baskets — starts with P
4D. I.R.S. IDs — starts with S
5D. 1975 film with a 25-foot animatronic shark — starts with J
Also read: Today’s Wordle (1452): Hints, Clues and Answer for June 10, 2025
Mini Crossword Answers – June 10th, 2025
Let’s see how you did. Here are today’s complete answers:
Across
1A. MAPS – You’ll find these at trailheads in national parks or hiking spots. Always a good idea to snap a pic in case you lose cell signal.
5A. JAMES – This Pulitzer-winning 2024 novel, James by Percival Everett, gives Jim a much-deserved voice and perspective in a powerful retelling of Twain’s classic.
6A. ALIEN – As in the sci-fi movie genre’s favorite villain: slimy, smart, and usually not here to make friends.
7A. WISPS – Think of smoke, hair, or clouds — anything light and airy in thin strands.
8A. SASS – Short for “attitude,” with a side of boldness. A crossword staple!
Down
1D. MALIA – Michelle and Barack Obama’s elder daughter, a frequent subject of crossword trivia.
2D. ASKEW – Not quite straight, a bit off. Perfect word for when something just feels “off.”
3D. PEEPS – Love them or hate them, these sugar-coated marshmallow chicks are Easter essentials.
4D. SSNS – Social Security Numbers, those nine-digit IDs the IRS loves and you try not to lose.
5D. JAWS – The classic Spielberg film that made generations afraid of the ocean (and launched a million sequels).
Related:
Puzzle Thoughts
Today’s Mini was a moderately easy one — no curveballs or obscure references. I clocked in at 1:56, mostly because I dropped “JAWS” into the wrong spot (4D instead of 5D — rookie move!). But once I got the grid straightened out, everything flowed nicely.
“JAMES” was the highlight for me. It’s always great to see modern literature make its way into crossword puzzles, especially something as important as a reimagining of Huckleberry Finn. If you haven’t read James yet, I highly recommend it.
“ALIEN” and “SASS” are always fun fill-ins — they pop off the grid with attitude (no pun intended). And of course, “PEEPS” brought back some sugar-dusted childhood memories.
Also read: NYT Strands Hints & Answers for June 10, 2025 (Game #464 )
Final Thoughts
Whether you solved today’s Mini in 30 seconds flat or took a few minutes to work through it during your morning commute, congrats on showing up and giving your brain a boost. Crosswords aren’t just word puzzles — they’re a daily ritual, a language game, and a moment of pause in a noisy world.
Let me know how your time stacked up. Did “JAMES” stump you? Did “WISPS” blow right past you? Share your thoughts with me on [insert social media links].
And if you’re also into Wordle, Connections, Strands, or the full NYT Crossword, stay tuned. I cover all the puzzles — and much more — daily.
