NYT Mini Crossword Answers: February 11, 2026

NYT Mini Crossword Answers: February 11, 2026

By Sam Ezersky • Edited by Joel Fagliano

NYT Mini Crossword Solution 2026-02-11

Stuck on today’s NYT Mini Crossword? You are not alone. Editor Joel Fagliano is known for packing clever misdirections into this compact 5×5 grid. Whether you need a single hint to break a deadlock or the complete solution to keep your streak alive, we have got you covered.

For more puzzle solutions, visit our WordFinder Tips Home.

💡 Daily Hint: Focus on the Across clues first. Today’s grid has a flow that rewards horizontal solving.

Interactive Solver

Click a clue to reveal the answer.

The Mini Crossword
1F
2O
3X
4I
K
E
5A
6N
A
R
C
7S
8E
P
O
C
H
9S
I
X
T
H

1Flying ___ (kind of bat, despite its name)
FOX
4Furniture retailer known for its sprawling stores
IKEA
6Drug cops, informally
NARCS
8Geological time period spanning several ages
EPOCH
9Like F, in the alphabet
SIXTH
1Penalties for parking violations
FINES
2African mammal whose striped legs resemble a zebra’s
OKAPI
3Make a copy of
XEROX
5Bank customer’s holding: Abbr.
ACCT
7“Quiet, you!”
SHH

Game Rules & Guide

The objective is simple: Solve the clues to fill the grid. The puzzle resets daily at 10 PM EST. Tips for Success:
1. Read through all ‘Across’ clues first.
2. Don’t be afraid to skip clues and come back.
3. Look for plurals (clues ending in ‘s’) to place easy ‘S’ letters in the grid.

Why We Love the Mini

In an era of short attention spans, the NYT Mini fits perfectly. It provides a sense of completion in under two minutes. The 5×5 format forces the constructor to be incredibly efficient with every letter, making the solve satisfyingly tight. It serves as a perfect warmup for the larger daily puzzle or a quick mental break during the day.

The Art of the ‘Open’ Grid

Today’s puzzle features a relatively open grid. An ‘open’ grid in crossword terms means fewer black squares and more white space. This increases the difficulty because there are more letters to fill and fewer breaks. In a 5×5 Mini, an open grid often means 5-letter words stacked on top of each other, which requires a strong vocabulary and the ability to visualize word patterns.

Building Your Vocabulary

The Mini is famous for using ‘Crosswordese’—short words that appear frequently due to their vowel-heavy structure (like ‘ERE’, ‘ARIA’, or ‘ALOE’). Playing daily helps you internalize these words, making you a faster and more efficient solver over time.

Recent Solutions

Date Editor Status
Today Joel Fagliano Solved
February 10, 2026 Joel Fagliano View

Frequently Asked Questions

When does it reset?

10 PM EST (Weekdays), 6 PM EST (Weekends).

Is it free?

Yes, free without subscription.

Check out more puzzles at WordFinder Tips.

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