Free Daily Mini Crossword (5×5)
Prefer the original? Play the full-size crossword.
How to play
A bite-size crossword you can finish over a cup of coffee — free, every day, with no subscription or account. Each 5×5 grid has about ten original, family-friendly clues. Solve today’s puzzle, share your time with friends, then keep going in unlimited mode.
- Tap a square (or click it) and type. Tap the same square again to switch between Across and Down.
- The highlighted clue above the grid is the word you are filling. Tap any clue in the lists to jump to it.
- Stuck? Use Check to mark wrong letters in red, or reveal a square, a word, or the whole puzzle.
- Fill every square correctly to stop the timer, then share your result. A new daily puzzle starts at 00:00 UTC.
FAQ
Is this mini crossword really free?
Yes. Every daily puzzle and all unlimited practice puzzles are free to play in your browser, with no subscription, sign-up, or app download.
Is this the New York Times Mini?
No. It is an independent mini crossword with its own grids and original clues, and it is not affiliated with The New York Times. If the NYT Mini moved behind a paywall for you, this is a free alternative.
When does the daily puzzle change?
At midnight UTC, so everyone in the world plays the same grid on the same calendar day. Your progress on today’s puzzle is saved in this browser.
How do streaks work?
Solve the daily puzzle without revealing any squares on consecutive days to grow your streak. Revealing a square still lets you finish but resets the streak.
Can I play more than one a day?
Yes. Switch to Unlimited for random practice puzzles from a set of 130 hand-clued minis.
Are the clues kid-friendly?
Yes. Every answer is a common English word and every clue was written to be clean and classroom-safe.