Mini Crossword September 30, 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

   5–5 letters

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

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — "Yes, I can come," "No, we're out of town," etc. (5)

   Responses to invitations, often brief

   6 Across — Devoured entirely (5)

   Finished a meal completely

   7 Across — Sweet tropical fruit (5)

   Fruit often eaten in smoothies

   8 Across — Group of eight (5)

   Musical term for a group of performers

   9 Across — Short comedic performances (5)

   Short, humorous theatrical pieces

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Anthony ___, star of "Hamilton" and "In the Heights" (5)

   Actor who played Usnavi in a Broadway hit

   2 Down — Pile of pancakes (5)

   Breakfast food pileup

   3 Down — 20-ounce Starbucks size (5)

   Large coffee size at Starbucks

   4 Down — Seattle's ___ Sound (5)

   Body of water near Seattle

   5 Down — What parking garages, ladybugs and dominoes all have (5)

   Features of certain insects or parking areas

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   R… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   A… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   M… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   O… (5 letters)

   9 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   1 Down

   R… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   S… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   V… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   P… (5 letters)

   5 Down

   S… (5 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   1 Across was the shortest entry at 5 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue