Stuck on today's NYT Mini Crossword? You're in the right place! Below you'll find complete hints and answers for Monday, January 12, 2026.
📅 Today's Puzzle Info
- Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
- Difficulty: Medium ⭐⭐⭐
- Grid Size: 5×5
- Resets: 10:00 PM ET daily
How to Use This Guide
- Hints First — Get a nudge without spoiling the answer
- Answers Below — Scroll down only when ready
- Solving Tips — Learn strategies for future puzzles
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: Full answers are below the hints section!
🔍 NYT Mini Crossword Hints — January 12, 2026
Across Hints
| # | Clue | Hint |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Unit of farmland | First letter is "A" • 4 letters |
| 5A | Counterpart of "Musical or Comedy" at the Golden Globes | Ends with "A" • 5 letters |
| 7A | Kind of "touch" that A.I. lacks | Ends with "N" • 5 letters |
| 8A | Alternative to credit | Ends with "T" • 5 letters |
| 9A | "OMG, that's hilarious" | Starts with "L" • 3 letters |
Down Hints
| # | Clue | Hint |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Condition that affects concentration, for short | Starts with "A" • 4 letters |
| 2D | Willfully causing pain | Ends with "L" • 5 letters |
| 3D | Five-time role for Sylvester Stallone | 5 letters, begins with "R" |
| 4D | One might have a scheduled send time | Ends with "L" • 5 letters |
| 6D | Aardvark's prey | Ends with "T" • 3 letters |
Still stuck? Try our Crossword Solver Tool!
✅ NYT Mini Crossword Answers — January 12, 2026
Across Answers
Down Answers
📊 Today's Puzzle Breakdown
Today's puzzle featured straightforward clues. Keep practicing to improve your solving speed!
🎯 NYT Mini Solving Strategies
1. Start with Fill-in-the-Blank
Clues with underscores are usually easiest. Look for "_____ and cheese" type clues.
2. Use Crossing Letters
The 5×5 grid means every letter crosses another word. Solve one, get hints for others.
3. Think About Word Length
Count squares to narrow possibilities. Try our Word Length Tool.
4. Learn Common Crossword Words
Words like ERA, ORE, ATE appear often. Master 2-letter words too!
5. Use Pattern Matching
Know some letters? Use our Crossword Solver with ? for unknowns.
🧩 About the NYT Mini Crossword
- Grid: 5×5 squares
- Time: 1-5 minutes
- Resets: 10:00 PM ET
- Cost: Free!
🔗 More Word Game Help
❓ FAQ
What time does NYT Mini reset?
10:00 PM Eastern — two hours before midnight.
Is it free?
Yes! No subscription needed.
Where to play?
Visit nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini or the NYT Games app.
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NYT Mini Crossword is a trademark of The New York Times Company. This is an independent fan resource.