Need a nudge or the complete answer key for the Thursday, January 22, 2026 NYT Mini? Start with the hints below, then open the spoiler-marked answer list when you’re ready.
Hints for the January 22 Mini
These hints give you a starting letter—or, where useful, the answer’s length and ending—without immediately revealing every entry.
Across
- When doubled, a breed of dog — Starts with C.
- With 7-Across, Ben & Jerry’s flavor named for a rock legend — Starts with C.
- See 5-Across — Starts with G.
- “Whatever you decide is good with me” — Starts with I and ends with Y.
- Whispered sound from a test cheater — Starts with P.
Down
- Tournament victor — Starts with C and ends with P.
- “___ the scoop …” — Starts with H.
- Killer whales — Starts with O and ends with S.
- Place for a bracelet — Starts with W.
- Tech used for many of the ping-pong scenes in Marty Supreme — Starts with C.
- “Woo-hoo!” — Starts with Y and ends with Y.
Spoilers: full answer key
The complete answers are below. Across 2 and 7 combine to form the flavor name Cherry Garcia.
Across
- CHOW
- CHERRY
- GARCIA
- IM EASY (often styled “I’M EASY”)
- PSST
Down
- CHAMP
- HERES (often styled “HERE’S”)
- ORCAS
- WRIST
- CGI
- YAY
How to play or get help
The New York Times describes the Mini as a smaller version of its crossword: fill the white squares with letters to make words or phrases that cross between Across and Down clues. The official help page says weekday and Saturday Minis become available at 10 p.m. Eastern Time the evening before their publish date; Sunday’s puzzle appears at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday. You can play on nytimes.com, in the Games app, or in the News app, subject to the subscription access currently offered by the Times. Subscribers can also solve past Minis through the archive. If you’re stuck mid-puzzle, the in-game lifesaver control can check or reveal a square, an answer, or the whole puzzle.
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Sources
- Forbes’ January 21, 2026, hints and answers.
- Parade’s January 21, 2026, hints and answers.
- The New York Times Help Center: The Mini Crossword.
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