If today’s New York Times Mini Crossword has you scratching your head, you’re not alone. This bite-sized brain teaser may be smaller than the classic crossword, but it’s just as capable of throwing curveballs — especially with tricky clues like 3-Down: “Fab!” which stumped many solvers. (The answer, by the way, is PERF.)
Whether you’re here for a quick hint or the full set of answers, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for today’s full solution set.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword – August 6, 2025
ACROSS CLUES & ANSWERS
- 1A. Stylish
Answer: HIP - 4A. Something a beach umbrella provides
Answer: SHADE - 6A. ___ Banks, North Carolina
Answer: OUTER - 7A. Unlikely to keep you up at night, in a way
Answer: DECAF - 8A. The eruption of Mount St. Helens released 520 million tons of it
Answer: ASH
DOWN CLUES & ANSWERS
- 1D. Come out of one’s shell
Answer: HATCH - 2D. Bright ___
Answer: IDEA - 3D. “Fab!”
Answer: PERF - 4D. Starry or Squirt
Answer: SODA - 5D. Color tones
Answer: HUES
Puzzle Recap & Tips
The Mini Crossword is a fast-paced daily challenge designed for quick thinking and wordplay. Unlike the full-sized NYT Crossword, which demands time and deep knowledge, The Mini offers a short yet satisfying mental workout – perfect for a coffee break or a quick brain boost.
Today’s puzzle leaned slightly on the trickier side, especially with more informal answers like PERF for “Fab!” and geographical references such as OUTER for the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Clues like DECAF (a nod to caffeine-free coffee) and ASH (a geological reference to volcanic eruptions) added variety and depth.
Pro Tip for Solving the Mini
Always look for fill-in-the-blank clues first, like 2D. Bright ___, which often provide easy wins to build momentum. Then, work across and down using your filled-in letters to guide tougher answers.
Stay sharp, and happy solving!
