NYT Mini Crossword Answers – Saturday, January 31, 2026

NYT Mini Crossword Answers – Saturday, January 31, 2026

Need today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers for Saturday, January 31, 2026? We’ve got the full grid solutions, clue breakdowns, and tips to help you finish — even though today’s was unusually long and tricky for a Mini!

The grid featured several 8- and 9-letter words (DELICASE, CAREERS, PHILLIE, MOBSTER, BETAAPP, INDEEDY), making it feel more like a mini-to-standard crossover. Great challenge!

Puzzle date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Editor: Joel Fagliano (standard Mini constructor)
Play free: nytimes.com/crosswords (Mini tab) or NYT Games app

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Full NYT Mini Crossword Answers – Jan 31, 2026

Across

• 1A. Lifeguard’s skill, for short → CPR
• 4A. Health measure calculated using height and weight: Abbr. → BMI
• 7A. “I’ve cracked the code!” → AHA
• 8A. Long, long time → EON
• 9A. Like a desert’s climate → ARID
• 10A. “We’re still figuring it out” inits. → TBD
• 11A. Holder of meats and cheeses at a supermarket → DELICASE
• 13A. Needing careful handling → DELICATE
• 14A. X-ray alternative → MRI
• 15A. Zipped along → SPED
• 16A. Suffix with legal → ESE
• 17A. Ask nosy questions → PRY

Down

• 1D. Header on a company’s website, perhaps → CAREERS
• 2D. Opponent of a Met or Marlin, in the N.L. East → PHILLIE (Philadelphia Phillies player)
• 3D. Halves of diameters → RADII
• 4D. Tech release that’s not the finished product → BETAAPP
• 5D. Mafia member → MOBSTER
• 6D. “Yes _!” (informal “For sure!”) → INDEEDY
• 9D. Words from someone hoping to be friends on Facebook → ADDME
• 12D. Includes on an email chain → CCS

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Why Today’s Mini Felt Tougher

• Longer words — 8- and 9-letter entries (DELICASE, CAREERS, PHILLIE, MOBSTER, BETAAPP, INDEEDY) are rare in the Mini, which usually tops out at 5–6 letters.
• Clever crossings — DELICASE and DELICATE share “DELI” prefix; PHILLIE crosses multiple short words.
• Niche entries — BETAAPP (modern tech term), INDEEDY (colloquial), PHILLIE (baseball shorthand).
• Average time — Experienced solvers ~1:30–2:30 min; beginners 4–6 min (vs. usual 30–90 sec).

Tip — Start with short 3-letter clues (CPR, AHA, EON, TBD, MRI, SPED, ESE, PRY) to unlock crossings into longer words.

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FAQ – NYT Mini Crossword January 31, 2026

Q: What are the answers to today’s NYT Mini Crossword (Jan 31, 2026)?
A: Across: CPR, BMI, AHA, EON, ARID, TBD, DELICASE, DELICATE, MRI, SPED, ESE, PRY
Down: CAREERS, PHILLIE, RADII, BETAAPP, MOBSTER, INDEEDY, ADDME, CCS

Q: Why is the Mini so long today?
A: Unusual grid with 8- and 9-letter fills (DELICASE, CAREERS, etc.) — made it feel harder and longer than typical Minis.

Q: What does “PHILLIE” mean in the puzzle?
A: Short for Philadelphia Phillies player — opponent of Mets/Marlins in NL East.

Q: Where can I play the NYT Mini Crossword?
A: Free on nytimes.com/crosswords or in the NYT Games app (no subscription required for Mini).

Q: How long should the Mini take?
A: Usually 30 sec–3 min; today’s was tougher due to length — 1–5 min is normal.

Q: Any solving tips?
A: Fill short words first, use crossings for longer ones, watch for shared stems (DELI in DELICASE/DELICATE).

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Finished? Drop your time in the comments!
⏱️ Under 2 minutes? Impressive on this longer grid. Struggled with BETAAPP or INDEEDY? Totally fair.

Come back daily for fresh NYT Mini Crossword hints, answers, and breakdowns. Happy solving! 🧩