NYT Mini Crossword Answers: February 18, 2026

By Christina Iverson • Edited by Joel Fagliano

Welcome to your verified daily guide for the New York Times Mini Crossword. The puzzle for February 18, 2026 brings a fresh set of vocabulary challenges. Below, you will find our interactive solver and strategic breakdown.

💡 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

1___ Glenn, Olympic figure skater who’s a three-time U.S. national champion

AMBER

6Popcorn size that might come in a bucket

LARGE

7“Lies and the Lying ___ Who Tell Them” (Al Franken book)

LIARS

8Close-up map

INSET

9Prepares a home for a new baby

NESTS

1Bold poker declaration

ALLIN

2Only U.S. state with a one-syllable name

MAINE

3Orchestra section with trumpets and horns

BRASS

4“Great” or “Snowy” wading bird

EGRET

5Some sheet music squiggles

RESTS

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.

Cognitive Benefits of Crosswords

Solving puzzles like the NYT Mini isn’t just fun; it’s good for your brain. Studies suggest that daily word puzzles can help improve verbal memory and executive function. The mental flexibility required to switch between ‘Across’ and ‘Down’ clues trains your brain to make quick connections between unrelated concepts.

Recent Solutions

Date	Editor	Status
Today	Joel Fagliano	Solved
February 17, 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.