Is Monday’s NYT Mini Crossword easier?

Yes, Monday Minis are typically simpler and designed for a quick warm-up.

When does the NYT Mini Crossword reset?

The Mini resets daily at midnight Eastern Time.

Are NYT Mini Crosswords always 5x5?

Most Minis use a 5x5 grid, though weekend versions can be slightly larger.

How long should the Monday Mini take?

Most players complete it in under a minute.

NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

By Anish | TechBoltX — Updated: November 17, 2025

???? Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Overview (Nov. 17, 2025)

Today’s Monday Mini is clean, quick, and fun — with a Swiftie-friendly opener, a mythological closer, and a mix of pop culture, geography, science, and board-game trivia. Despite the short grid, there’s good variety here, and most solvers should finish in under a minute.

If you got stuck on ASCOT or the tricky STUDY clue from the Clue board, here are the full solutions.

➤ Mini Crossword — Across Answers

The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Nov. 17, 2025.

1A — “Taylor Swift’s ___ Tour”

Answer: ERAS
A reference to Swift’s record-breaking global tour.

5A — “Counterpart of ‘found’”

Answer: LOST

6A — “Difficult thing to achieve in a noisy office”

Answer: FOCUS

8A — “India’s prime minister since 2014”

Answer: MODI

9A — “River of the underworld, in Greek myth”

Answer: STYX

➤ Mini Crossword — Down Answers

1D — “Will Ferrell holiday movie”

Answer: ELF

2D — “Buckingham Palace has 775 of these”

Answer: ROOMS

3D — “Fancy necktie”

Answer: ASCOT

4D — “What’s found next to the Hall and Library on a Clue board”

Answer: STUDY

5D — “Carbon’s atomic number”

Answer: SIX

This grid flows especially smoothly once you place ERAS and LOST, giving strong anchors for the down clues. ASCOT is the most elegant answer of the day, while STYX provides the mythological finish.

❓ NYT Mini Crossword FAQs

1. Is Monday’s Mini easier than other days?

Yes — Monday Minis tend to be some of the easiest of the week.

2. What time does the Mini reset?

It resets daily at 12 a.m. Eastern Time.

3. Are Minis always 5×5?

Most are, but weekend puzzles can be larger.

4. How long should a typical Mini take?

Solvers average 30–60 seconds on weekdays.

???? About the Author

Anish is the Founder, Editor & Lead Writer at TechBoltX, delivering daily guides for NYT Wordle, Mini Crossword, Connections, Strands, and Sports Edition. His puzzle breakdowns help thousands solve quickly and confidently.
Read more at TechBoltX.com.