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 Tuesday, March 31, 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 30)
Here are all the clues provided for the NYT Mini Crossword for March 31, 2026.
Across
1 – ‘Paradise’ or ‘Lost’
5 – Hawaiian island with the famous Road to Hana
6 – ___Zeneca (pharma company)
8 – “Stainless” metal
9 – One half of a centaur
Down
1 – Massive success
2 – Must
3 – ___ borough (term for the non-Manhattan parts of New York City)
4 – Electrician’s speciality
7 – Bar beverage
Additional Clues For NYT Mini (March 31)
Here are some additional clues to help you solve the NYT Mini Crossword on March 31, 2026.
Across
1 – School activity, ___ and tell
5 – Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s character in Moana
6 – Vauxhall/Opel model
8 – 2011 film starring Hugh Jackman, ___ Steel
9 – Cowboy’s animal
Down
1 – Popular internet game, ___ or pass?
2 – Necessary, obligation, or duty
3 – ___ space, beyond Earth’s atmosphere
4 – Miscommunication, ‘___ crossed’
7 – Popular style of beer
All NYT Mini Crossword Answers (March 31)
Here are all the answers for the NYT Mini Crossword on March 31, 2026.
Across
1 – SHOW
5 – MAUI
6 – ASTRA
8 – STEEL
9 – HORSE
Down
1 – SMASH
2 – HASTO
3 – OUTER
4 – WIRES
7 – ALE
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 guides, check out hits to today’s Contexto, and take a look at the hints and answer for today’s Wordle.



