The NYT Mini Crossword is a popular, quick-to-complete word game to test yourself daily, but some of the puzzles can be difficult to complete, so here are some hints.
If you’ve found yourself stuck on today’s NYT Mini, Insider Gaming has some helpful hints and all the answers for the NYT Mini Crossword on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
IMPORTANT: The following information includes spoilers on today’s edition of the NYT Mini Crossword. If you don’t want the answer given to you, stop scrolling.
How to Play NYT Mini Crossword
The NYT Mini Crossword is available to play on the New York Times Games app or website, but, as of September 2025, a New York Times Game subscription is required.
The NYT Games Subscription is priced at $6.95 per month, but there are introductory offers available for other NYT subscriptions that include games access, which might be worth considering.
Without a Games subscription, access to the NYT Mini Crossword is blocked.
NYT Mini Crossword Clues (March 12)
Here are all the clues provided for the NYT Mini Crossword for March 12, 2026.
Across
1 – Like jerk chicken and chicken vindaloo
6 – Capital of Vietnam
7 – “Well, would ya look at that!”
8 – Gem in an oyster
9 – Thick roll of cash
Down
1 – Ship
2 – The “P” in I.P.A.
3 – Relative by marriage
4 – King ___ (venomous snake)
5 – Sign obeyed by merging traffic
Additional Clues For NYT Mini (March 12)
Here are some additional clues to help you solve the NYT Mini Crossword on March 12, 2026.
Across
1 – Hot, when eating
6 – Used to be ‘Thang Long’
7 – Expression of surprise or shock
8 – The Black ___, Pirates of the Caribbean ship
9 – Small, compressed mass of soft material
Down
1 – Another word for boat
2 – Dark opposite
3 – Wife’s sibling, your sister ____
4 – Hooded snake
5 – To bend the knee
All NYT Mini Crossword Answers (March 12)
Here are all the answers for the NYT Mini Crossword on March 12, 2026.
Across
1 – SPICY
6 – HANOI
7 – ILLBE
8 – PEARL
9 – WAD
Down
1 – SHIP
2 – PALE
3 – INLAW
4 – COBRA
5 – YIELD
When is The Next Game?
The NYT Mini Crossword refreshes daily at 10 PM ET on weekdays and Saturdays, and at 6 PM ET on Sundays.
As such, the next NYT Mini Crossword will be available at 7 PM PT/9 PM CT/10 PM ET/3 AM GMT/2 PM AET.
What is The NYT Mini Crossword?
The NYT Mini Crossword was introduced in 2014 as a shorter and quicker-to-complete game to accompany the main New York Times Crossword, which was initially released in 1942.
Until September 2025, the NYT Mini Crossword was free, but it has now been consolidated into a monthly NYT Games Subscription alongside several other popular games.
Did you struggle with the NYT Mini Crossword today? Share your thoughts in the Insider Gaming Discord.
For more word game hints, take a look at today’s Contexto, and check out the answers for today’s Connections.
