NYT Mini Crossword Answers – Yesterday’s February 21, 2026

By Anish
Published: Feb 21, 2026

Looking for the NYT Mini Crossword answers for Feb 21, 2026?
Here are all the Across and Down solutions for the Saturday puzzle.

Today’s grid was the longer Saturday version.
A few clues were tricky, especially 10-Across.

Let’s break it down.

What Is The NYT Mini Crossword?

The Mini Crossword is the quick daily puzzle from
The New York Times.

It’s smaller than the full crossword.
But Saturday puzzles can still be tough.

NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Feb 21, 2026

Across Answers

1A – “Jersey Shore” channel
Answer: MTV

4A – “___ Knows” (rhyming ad slogan)
Answer: LOWES

6A – Second-best-selling female musician of all time, behind Taylor Swift
Answer: MADONNA
(Refers to Madonna)

8A – Whiskey grain
Answer: RYE

9A – Dreaded workday: Abbr.
Answer: MON

10A – Backfiring blunder, in modern lingo
Answer: SELFOWN

12A – Lengthy sheet for a complicated board game, perhaps
Answer: RULES

13A – Subtle “Yes”
Answer: NOD

Down Answers

1D – In which high schoolers might role-play as ambassadors
Answer: MODELUN

2D – This clue number
Answer: TWO

3D – Paid via app, perhaps
Answer: VENMOED

4D – Coat of paint
Answer: LAYER

5D – Falls in winter, say
Answer: SNOWS

6D – Married title
Answer: MRS

7D – ___ Arbor, Mich.
Answer: ANN

11D – Woman in Progressive ads
Answer: FLO
(Character from Progressive Corporation ads)

Why Yesterday’s Puzzle Was Tricky

• 10A “SELFOWN” felt modern and slang-heavy.
• 6A required music history knowledge.
• MODELUN may trip up some solvers.

Still, it was a fun Saturday grid.

FAQ – NYT Mini Crossword Feb 21, 2026

What are the NYT Mini Crossword answers for Feb 21, 2026?

The key answers include MTV, MADONNA, SELFOWN, MODELUN and FLO.

What was the hardest clue Yesterday’s?

Many players struggled with 10A: SELFOWN.

Where can I play the NYT Mini Crossword?

You can play it daily on The New York Times Games website or app.

Is Saturday Mini harder?

Yes. Saturday is usually slightly longer and trickier.

Final Thoughts

The NYT Mini Crossword answers for Feb 21, 2026 delivered a solid Saturday challenge.

Come back tomorrow for the next Mini Crossword answers and hints.