Mini Crossword August 13, 2026: Clues & Answers

Mini Crossword hints, one rung at a time

Five rungs, from grid facts to a nudge per clue. The recap above already summed the grid up, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying it fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

1. 1 Hint 1: Grid facts

   Counted off the grid.

   Grid

   5 × 5

   Clues

   5 across, 5 down

   Answer lengths

   3–5 letters

2. 2 Hint 2: Across clues, with an extra nudge each

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Like flamingos and cherry blossoms (4)

   Color associated with love and flowers

   5 Across — Hawaiian island visible from Maui's west shore (5)

   Island getaway with luxury resorts

   6 Across — Planet's path (5)

   Astronomical term for a celestial path

   7 Across — Short Instagram video (4)

   Short video format on social media

   8 Across — Break off, as a relationship (3)

   Terminate a connection or partnership

3. 3 Hint 3: Down clues, with an extra nudge each

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — ( or ), for short (5)

   Abbreviation for a grammatical term

   2 Down — Where Mother's Day breakfast might be served (5)

   Cozy spot for a morning meal

   3 Down — Tiny thing to paint (4)

   Small detail to focus on artistically

   4 Down — First-aid container (3)

   Container for medical supplies

   5 Down — Origin stories, e.g. (4)

   Stories about a person's or place's history

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   P… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   L… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   O… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   R… (4 letters)

   8 Across

   E… (3 letters)

   1 Down

   P… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   I… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   N… (4 letters)

   4 Down

   K… (3 letters)

   5 Down

   L… (4 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   8 Across was the shortest entry at 3 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue