If you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I finish all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!
Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.
So, if you’re working on today’s Mini on for Today’s Mini Crossword on Friday, May 1, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Friday, May 1, 2026
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Zip-a-___-Doo-Dah — HINT: Starts with the letter “D”
4 Across: Cap and gown wearer, informally —HINT: Ends with the letter “D”
5 Across: Major purchase that might come with a down payment — HINT: Starts with the letter “H”
6 Across: Doc who really delivers? — HINT: Starts with the letter “O”
7 Across: Home of the Leaning Tower — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”
Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Prescription products — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
2 Down: Course that you could sleep through and still pass — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”
3 Down: Where Adam and Eve were eatin’ the apple, fittingly? — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”
4 Down: Asia’s largest desert — HINT: Ends with the letter “I”
5 Down: Bunny’s bounce — HINT: Starts with the letter “H”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Friday, May 1, 2026
Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Answers
1 Across: Zip-a-___-Doo-Dah — DEE
4 Across: Cap and gown wearer, informally — GRAD
5 Across: Major purchase that might come with a down payment — HOUSE
6 Across: Doc who really delivers? — OBGYN
7 Across: Home of the Leaning Tower — PISA
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Prescription products — DRUGS
2 Down: Course that you could sleep through and still pass — EASYA
3 Down: Where Adam and Eve were eatin’ the apple, fittingly? — EDEN
4 Down: Asia’s largest desert —GOBI
5 Down: Bunny’s bounce —HOP
Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Thursday, April 30, 2026
