Mini Crossword October 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 — One might have a litter ... or use it (3)

   Common household pet with a short phrase

   4 Across — Capital on the Nile (5)

   African city known for its ancient history

   6 Across — Expansive (5)

   Describing something with a wide scope or range

   7 Across — Spelling Bee rank between "Good" and "Nice" (5)

   Spelling Bee ranking indicating a strong performance

   8 Across — Overhead storage on an airplane (3)

   Storage compartment found in airplane cabins

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Tree that yields a chocolate substitute (5)

   Tree with pods used as a cocoa substitute

   2 Down — Garlicky condiment (5)

   Condiment often used in Mediterranean cuisine

   3 Down — Subway vehicle (5)

   Public transportation vehicle for mass transit

   4 Down — Network with an eye logo (3)

   American television network with a prominent logo

   5 Down — Word before job or duck (3)

   Word used to describe something unusual or unexpected

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   C… (3 letters)

   4 Across

   C… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   B… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   B… (3 letters)

   1 Down

   C… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   A… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   T… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   C… (3 letters)

   5 Down

   O… (3 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