Mini Crossword October 1, 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 — Word before "a hand" or "a hoot" (4)

   Phrase often used to express generosity or excitement

   5 Across — Card game for Phil Ivey (5)

   High-stakes game often associated with casinos

   6 Across — Philly Ivy (5)

   University in Philadelphia with a prestigious reputation

   7 Across — Basic unit of mass (4)

   Unit of measurement in the metric system

   8 Across — Not bad, but not great (4)

   Colloquialism for something mediocre or unimpressive

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Enter the N.F.L. draft, say (5)

   Action taken by athletes to pursue a professional career

   2 Down — Furniture stores in giant blue warehouses (5)

   Global furniture retailer known for flat-pack packaging

   3 Down — Cash App alternative (5)

   Peer-to-peer payment service competing with major players

   4 Down — Suffix with north, south, east or west (3)

   Geographic suffix indicating direction or location

   5 Down — Dogs with smushed-looking faces (4)

   Breed of dog characterized by a distinctive facial structure

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   G… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   P… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   U… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   G… (4 letters)

   8 Across

   S… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   G… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   I… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   V… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   E… (3 letters)

   5 Down

   P… (4 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

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

   Open the answers, clue by clue