NYT Mini Crossword #Daily
NYT Mini Crossword Answers for May 13, 2026
This archive page preserves the NYT Mini Crossword guide for May 13, 2026. Review the completed clues and answer logic after solving.
Current daily puzzle
Updated for
Guidance bridge
This archive guide reviews the completed Mini Crossword for May 13, 2026. Use it to revisit the across and down clues, answer logic, and tricky entries after the puzzle is solved.
Archive Snapshot
- Date
- May 13, 2026
- Across clues
- 5
- Down clues
- 5
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Hardest clue
- 8 Across
- Answers
- Answers included below
Why 8 Acrossis the hardest clue in today's NYT Mini Crossword
8 Across is the hardest clue because SPECS has two common meanings. The clue gives both details and glasses, so solvers need to recognize the shared short form rather than choose only one side of the clue.
How to Start Today's Mini Crossword
Use the direct fill-in-the-blank clues first, then let the crossings confirm the short-form answers.
Mini Crossword Archive: Across Clues
Open these spoiler-light prompts before checking the answer list.
1 Across
Sprinter's race
Think of a short fast race.
5 Across
Statuette awarded at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre
This is the famous Academy Awards statuette.
7 Across
A la ___
Complete the dining phrase meaning ordered separately.
8 Across
Word meaning "details" or "glasses"
Use the short form that can mean specifications or spectacles.
9 Across
What's the reason?
This is the simplest question word for a reason.
Mini Crossword Archive: Down Clues
Open these spoiler-light prompts before checking the answer list.
1 Down
Google ___
Think of Google's document editor.
2 Down
Immediately
Use the common four-letter abbreviation.
3 Down
Twistable piece of hardware
This fastener turns into place.
4 Down
Devise, as a plan
Think of a verb for coming up with a scheme.
5 Down
Booking service that competes with OpenTable
This restaurant reservation service has a four-letter name.
Mini Crossword Archive: Solve Checks
Use these quick checks before opening the full answer list.
- Does DASH fit a sprinter's race?
- Does SPECS work for both details and glasses?
- Have you stored A la carte as CARTE only?
- Do the Down answers support the Across crossings cleanly?
What Matters in This Puzzle
SPECS is the double-definition clue
It works as both specifications and spectacles, making it the most flexible entry.
Proper nouns anchor the grid
OSCAR, DOCS, and RESY give strong crossings if those names are familiar.
CARTE depends on the phrase
The clue expects the phrase A la carte, so only CARTE is entered.
Post-game archive analysis
May 13, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Clue Breakdown
This archive page shows the completed across and down answers with short explanations, so it works as a review page rather than a live spoiler-light hint page.
Across Answers
1 Across
DASH
Clue: Sprinter's race
A DASH is a short sprint race.
5 Across
OSCAR
Clue: Statuette awarded at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre
An OSCAR is the statuette awarded at the Academy Awards, held at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre.
7 Across
CARTE
Clue: A la ___
A la CARTE means ordered as separate items rather than as a fixed meal.
8 Across
SPECS
Clue: Word meaning "details" or "glasses"
SPECS can mean details or specifications, and it can also mean eyeglasses.
9 Across
WHY
Clue: What's the reason?
WHY asks for the reason.
Down Answers
1 Down
DOCS
Clue: Google ___
Google DOCS is Google's online document editor.
2 Down
ASAP
Clue: Immediately
ASAP means as soon as possible, or immediately.
3 Down
SCREW
Clue: Twistable piece of hardware
A SCREW is a twistable piece of hardware.
4 Down
HATCH
Clue: Devise, as a plan
To HATCH a plan is to devise it.
5 Down
RESY
Clue: Booking service that competes with OpenTable
RESY is a restaurant booking service that competes with OpenTable.
How This Mini Crossword Archive Puzzle Works
The May 13 Mini is a smooth short grid. DASH, OSCAR, CARTE, WHY, DOCS, ASAP, SCREW, HATCH, and RESY are direct clue-answer pairs or common phrases. SPECS carries the most wordplay because it bridges two meanings: details and glasses. Once the fill-in-the-blank entries are solved, the remaining crossings leave little ambiguity.
Caution Notes
Do not enter the full phrase
A la carte appears in the clue, but the grid answer is just CARTE.
Keep ASAP uppercase
The answer is stored as the abbreviation ASAP without punctuation.
Previous and Next Day
Compare today's clue logic with neighboring Mini Crossword guides.