Mini Crossword October 12, 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 — Dot on a domino (3)

   Small marking on a game piece

   4 Across — Person you secretly like (5)

   Someone you have a secret admiration for

   6 Across — Like the taste of many I.P.A.s (5)

   Characteristic of some craft beers

   7 Across — Awards named for a cable sports channel (5)

   Annual honors in the sports world

   8 Across — Tina of "Mean Girls" (3)

   Actress in a popular teen comedy

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — A little doodle, for example (5)

   Cute, small animal, perhaps a pet

   2 Down — Game words before "… with my little eye" (4)

   Phrase that starts a guessing game

   3 Down — The "P" of P.E.: Abbr. (4)

   Abbreviation for a physical subject

   4 Down — One who's skilled with a skillet (4)

   Professional cook, skilled with pots

   5 Down — Valentine's Day flower (4)

   Symbolic flower for love and romance

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   P… (3 letters)

   4 Across

   C… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   H… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   E… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   F… (3 letters)

   1 Down

   P… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   I… (4 letters)

   3 Down

   P… (4 letters)

   4 Down

   C… (4 letters)

   5 Down

   R… (4 letters)

5. 5 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