Mini Crossword August 26, 2026: Clues & Answers

Constructed by Adam Aaronson, edited by Joel Fagliano.

The written hints below were assembled automatically from the puzzle data rather than composed by an editor — accurate, just plainer than usual.

Recap

The 5 by 5 grid carried 10 clues. A1 TIN, A4 DONUT, A6 OUTRO, A7 CREST, A8 LEO, D1 TOUR, D2 INTEL, D3 NURSE, D4 DOC, D5 TOTO. This recap was assembled automatically from the puzzle data rather than written by an editor.

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.

Hint 1: Grid facts

Counted off the grid.

Grid

5 × 5

Clues

5 across, 5 down

Answer lengths

3–5 letters
Hint 2: Across clues, with an extra nudge each

Open only the one you want.

1 Across — Only three-letter element (3)

Auto-generated hint: 3 letters, reading across, opening with T.

4 Across — Hole food (5)

Auto-generated hint: 5 letters, reading across, opening with D.

6 Across — Section at the end of a song (5)

Auto-generated hint: 5 letters, reading across, opening with O.

7 Across — Emblem topping a coat of arms (5)

Auto-generated hint: 5 letters, reading across, opening with C.

8 Across — Only three-letter zodiac sign (3)

Auto-generated hint: 3 letters, reading across, opening with L.
Hint 3: Down clues, with an extra nudge each

Same treatment, the other way.

1 Down — Visit, as a college (4)

Auto-generated hint: 4 letters, reading down, opening with T.

2 Down — Something gathered by a spy (5)

Auto-generated hint: 5 letters, reading down, opening with I.

3 Down — Sip slowly (5)

Auto-generated hint: 5 letters, reading down, opening with N.

4 Down — Only three-letter Disney dwarf (3)

Auto-generated hint: 3 letters, reading down, opening with D.

5 Down — Big name in high-end toilets (4)

Auto-generated hint: 4 letters, reading down, opening with T.
Hint 4: First letter of every answer

One letter each.

1 Across

T… (3 letters)

4 Across

D… (5 letters)

6 Across

O… (5 letters)

7 Across

C… (5 letters)

8 Across

L… (3 letters)

1 Down

T… (4 letters)

2 Down

I… (5 letters)

3 Down

N… (5 letters)

4 Down

D… (3 letters)

5 Down

T… (4 letters)
Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

Last rung before the filled answers.

1 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

Every clue from that grid, with its answer

Each clue opens on its own: the nudge first, the answer folded one level deeper.

Across

1Only three-letter element3
Auto-generated hint: 3 letters, reading across, opening with T.
Show answer
TIN
4Hole food5
Auto-generated hint: 5 letters, reading across, opening with D.
Show answer
DONUT
6Section at the end of a song5
Auto-generated hint: 5 letters, reading across, opening with O.
Show answer
OUTRO
7Emblem topping a coat of arms5
Auto-generated hint: 5 letters, reading across, opening with C.
Show answer
CREST
8Only three-letter zodiac sign3
Auto-generated hint: 3 letters, reading across, opening with L.
Show answer
LEO

Down

1Visit, as a college4
Auto-generated hint: 4 letters, reading down, opening with T.
Show answer
TOUR
2Something gathered by a spy5
Auto-generated hint: 5 letters, reading down, opening with I.
Show answer
INTEL
3Sip slowly5
Auto-generated hint: 5 letters, reading down, opening with N.
Show answer
NURSE
4Only three-letter Disney dwarf3
Auto-generated hint: 3 letters, reading down, opening with D.
Show answer
DOC
5Big name in high-end toilets4
Auto-generated hint: 4 letters, reading down, opening with T.
Show answer
TOTO

This grid by the numbers

Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Grid: 5 × 5
Clues: 10 — 5 across, 5 down
Answer lengths: 3–5 letters

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