Stuck on today's NYT Mini Crossword? You're in the right place! Below you'll find complete hints and answers for Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
📅 Today's Puzzle Info
- Date: Wednesday, January 14, 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 14, 2026
Across Hints
| # | Clue | Hint |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Abruptly stop texting | Ends with "T" • 5 letters |
| 6A | Shaving kit item | First letter is "R" • 5 letters |
| 7A | 2024 film role for which Mikey Madison won Best Actress | Ends with "A" • 5 letters |
| 8A | The ancient Chinese used compressed blocks of tea leaves as this | First letter is "M" • 5 letters |
| 9A | Shape of a round chart | 3 letters, begins with "P" |
Down Hints
| # | Clue | Hint |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Dad's dad, informally | Starts with "G" • 5 letters |
| 2D | Capital of Vietnam | 5 letters, begins with "H" |
| 3D | ___ layer, part of Earth's atmosphere | 5 letters, begins with "O" |
| 4D | How you might wake up after sleeping funny | First letter is "S" • 4 letters |
| 5D | Cafeteria food carrier | Ends with "Y" • 4 letters |
Still stuck? Try our Crossword Solver Tool!
✅ NYT Mini Crossword Answers — January 14, 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.