The Mini Crossword

The Mini is the New York Times's daily small grid, introduced in 2014 according to the paper's presentation page, and marketed as the same thing as the large grid in a much shorter form. It is dated, and the header displays its author and editor before any access. Without a subscription, in the grid's place the page displays a wall, "Subscribe to play the Mini", with a subscription offer and a sign-in button.

1. Open the day's grid, dated and signed in its header.
2. Sign in or subscribe: without an account, the play area is replaced by the subscription message and no cell is editable.

It's the pocket-sized version of the New York Times crossword, held to the same editorial standard: each grid is dated and credited to an author and an editor named in the header. Reserved for subscribers, since the play area does not open without an account.

The play area does not open without an account, so entry, checking and the timer are all reserved for subscribers. The official help notes that checked letters turn blue.

Daily Mini

The short daily crossword, released in advance of its publish date according to the NYT schedule.

Archive

Games subscribers can solve past Mini Crossword puzzles on the web and in the Games app.

Pen and Pencil

Switch between black pen entries and gray pencil entries using the pencil icon.

• Use Pencil mode for answers you want to test against crossing clues; its entries are visibly gray until you commit them.
• When a word is uncertain, move to crossing clues rather than forcing a fill. A single confirmed cross can resolve several letters.
• Use Check only when you need confirmation: the official help notes that checked letters turn blue, which changes the solving feedback you see.