Mini Crossword October 3, 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

   7 × 7

   Clues

   7 across, 7 down

   Answer lengths

   3–7 letters

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

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — R.N.'s co-workers (3)

   Medical staff category

   4 Across — Piles upon piles (5)

   Descriptive term for accumulations

   6 Across — Alternative to body wash (7)

   Shower alternative product type

   8 Across — O in a tee? (7)

   T-shirt feature location

   9 Across — Exercise expert (7)

   Fitness professional title

   10 Across — "Oof ... that's not good" (5)

   Informal expression of dismay

   11 Across — "I see what you ___ there" (3)

   Phrase completion for insight

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Half woman, half fish (7)

   Mythical creature with human top

   2 Down — West African shirt (7)

   Traditional African garment style

   3 Down — Cuddled closely (7)

   Physical affection display

   4 Down — William's brother in the British monarchy (5)

   Royal family member relationship

   5 Down — Register ring-ups (5)

   Cash register transaction log

   6 Down — Crack of the ___ (ballpark sound) (3)

   Sound effect in sports venues

   7 Down — The "p" of m.p.h. (3)

   Unit of measurement abbreviation

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   M… (3 letters)

   4 Across

   H… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   B… (7 letters)

   8 Across

   A… (7 letters)

   9 Across

   T… (7 letters)

   10 Across

   Y… (5 letters)

   11 Across

   D… (3 letters)

   1 Down

   M… (7 letters)

   2 Down

   D… (7 letters)

   3 Down

   S… (7 letters)

   4 Down

   H… (5 letters)

   5 Down

   S… (5 letters)

   6 Down

   B… (3 letters)

   7 Down

   P… (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