Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers & Clues: Solve the 5×5 in Under a Minute

Puzzle pros and casual solvers alike are racing to uncover today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers, and we’ve got them all right here—plus speed-solving tips to shave seconds off tomorrow’s run. Today’s Grid at a Glance (Tuesday, January 13, 2026) Across 1. INTERNET COMPANY THAT POPULARIZED CHAT ROOMS — AOL 4. WITH 7-ACROSS, “HEY, DON’T BLAME ME!” — THATS 7. SEE 4-ACROSS — ON YOU 8. DIRECTOR OF 2026’S “THE ODYSSEY” — NOLAN 9. MARKETING CREATIONS — ADS Down 1. LOTS AND LOTS — A TON 2. [GULP!] — OH NO 3. SIGNATURE HIT FOR ERIC CLAPTON — LAYLA 4. MUSHROOM-HEADED CHARACTER IN THE MARIO GAMES — TOAD 5. N.B.A. TEAM FROM THE HOTTEST MAJOR CITY — SUNS Why These Five-by-Five Puzzles Trend Daily • Instant gratification: most players finish in under a minute, making the Mini perfect for coffee breaks. • Competitive edge: the NYT Games timer fuels social-media bragging rights. • Fresh pop-culture clues keep the puzzle viral—today’s shout-out to Christopher Nolan is a prime example. Speed-Solving Hacks for Tomorrow 1. Scan all clues first to bank immediate gimmes like short plurals or common abbreviations (AOL, NBA). 2. Fill the Downs early; their first letters unlock the Across answers faster. 3. Practice typing: phone users lose precious seconds switching keyboards—stick to one layout. Stay on Streak The Mini drops at midnight ET daily. Bookmark this page so you can grab answers the moment the puzzle resets, maintain your streak, and avoid spoiler-filled comment sections. Looking for yesterday’s solutions or hints before revealing outright answers? Check our rolling archive and teaser section so you can keep the challenge alive without sacrificing that coveted completion rate.