The Mini is a smaller edition of The New York Times‘ renowned daily crossword. While the complete crossword provides a longer challenge that necessitates both knowledge and patience, The Mini offers a unique experience.
Featuring only a handful of clues, the daily puzzle acts as a speed challenge for numerous players.
When a tricky clue disrupts a player’s flow, it can be exasperating! If you find yourself unable to progress in The Mini — much like Wordle and Connections — we have solutions available for you.
Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Engage in games on Mashable
Instructions for playing Pips, the latest NYT game
Here are the cues and solutions to NYT’s The Mini for Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026:
Across
Ron Swanson’s “most preferred food,” on “Parks and Recreation”
The solution is Bacon.
Available in black and green types, based on ripeness
The solution is Olive.
Sweetheart
The solution is Lover.
In bronze medal rank
The solution is Third.
Feeling bitter, in slang
The solution is Salty.
Down
Flashes of lightning
The solution is Bolts.
Hawaiian salutation
The solution is Aloha.
The “C” in A.C.L.U.
The solution is Civil.
In plain sight
The solution is Overt.
Informed, and proud of it
The solution is Nerdy.
<a href="https://games.mashable.com/" target="_blank"