Mini Crossword September 21, 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

   6 × 5

   Clues

   5 across, 6 down

   Answer lengths

   3–6 letters

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

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Appropriate shoes to wear on moving day? (4)

   Footwear for a physically demanding task

   5 Across — Optimists keep them high (5)

   Positive outlooks that drive people forward

   6 Across — Baked entree with a flaky crust (6)

   Comfort food often served as a complete meal

   7 Across — Appropriate gas station to find by the beach? (5)

   Brand name that's also a type of seashell

   8 Across — Days of old (4)

   Time period associated with nostalgia

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Ballot caster (5)

   Person who participates in the electoral process

   2 Down — Appropriate store beside a farmer's market? (5)

   Company name that's also a popular fruit

   3 Down — Actor ___ Patrick Harris (4)

   Actor known for his roles in theater and TV

   4 Down — Opposite of NNW (3)

   Compass direction that's a 180-degree turn

   5 Down — Appropriate snack for Santa? (4)

   Holiday treat that's a playful sound effect

   6 Down — "Gangnam Style" rapper (3)

   Musician famous for a viral K-pop hit

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   V… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   H… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   P… (6 letters)

   7 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   Y… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   V… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   A… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   N… (4 letters)

   4 Down

   S… (3 letters)

   5 Down

   H… (4 letters)

   6 Down

   P… (3 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