NYT Mini Crossword Answers and Clues Solved for Saturday, December 13

The complete solution for today’s New York Times Mini Crossword is now available. The puzzle for Saturday, December 13, 2025, presented a classic mix of straightforward and tricky clues. Solvers can now check their work or find the help they need to finish the 5×5 grid.Published daily by The New York Times Games, the Mini offers a quick but satisfying challenge. Today’s edition required knowledge of internet slang, fairy tales, and common abbreviations.

Across Answers and Clue Breakdown

Let’s examine the Across clues from top to bottom. Each answer fits neatly into the compact puzzle grid.

1 Across: Field trip vehicle is BUS. This three-letter answer is a common starter for many puzzles. It refers to the classic yellow school bus.

4 Across: Peter’s antagonist, in a musical tale is WOLF. This clue points to the character from the orchestral fairy tale “Peter and the Wolf.” It is a four-letter answer.

5 Across: In one’s opinion, briefly is IMHO. This internet acronym stands for “In My Humble Opinion.” It is a familiar term in online discourse.

6 Across: Poetic contraction is TIS. This is a shortened form of “it is,” often found in classic poetry and songs. It is another three-letter answer.

7 Across: Pours (out) is TEEMS. This verb means to rain heavily or to be full of something. It completes the Across section with five letters.

Down Answers Fill the Grid

The Down clues intersect with the Across answers to complete the puzzle. Solving these often relies on the letters already placed.

1 Down: In one’s opinion, briefly is also IMHO. This clue is a direct duplicate of 5 Across, a common Mini Crossword construction.

2 Down: Official, in a way is REF. This is a standard abbreviation for a sports referee. It’s a classic crossword puzzle fill.

3 Down: Annoys is IRKS. This verb means to irritate or bother. It’s a useful four-letter word for constructors.

4 Down: Yields is CEDE. This means to give up power or territory. It provided key crossing letters for WOLF and TEEMS.

Solving Strategy and Puzzle Context

A good strategy is to start with the most concrete clue. For this puzzle, “Field trip vehicle” (BUS) offered a solid entry point. From there, the intersecting Downs began to fall into place.The duplicate clue for IMHO was a clever twist. It likely helped or confused solvers depending on when they encountered it. According to The New York Times Games, the Mini is designed for quick, daily solving fun.Saturday puzzles often have a slight bump in difficulty. This one used classic crossword vocabulary like TIS, REF, and IRKS. Recognizing these common words is key to faster solving.

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The December 13 NYT Mini Crossword answers provide a perfect snapshot of the puzzle’s blend of modern and traditional wordplay. Mastering these small grids is excellent practice for larger puzzles.

Info at your fingertips

What time are new NYT Mini Crossword puzzles released?

A new puzzle goes live every day at 10:00 PM Eastern Time. This allows solvers to have it ready for the next morning.

Is the Mini Crossword harder on weekends?

Often, yes. Saturday and Sunday puzzles typically feature more complex wordplay or themes compared to weekday editions.

Do I need a subscription to play the Mini Crossword?

Yes, you need a New York Times Games subscription. This provides access to the Mini, the full Crossword, and other puzzles.

What if I only want to play the Mini?

The subscription is for the entire Games package. It includes the Mini, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and the main Crossword.

Are the Mini Crossword answers different every day?

Yes, the puzzle and its answers are unique daily. The grid is always 5×5, but the clues and solutions change completely.