NYT Mini Crossword #Daily
NYT Mini Crossword Answers for May 15, 2026
This archive page preserves the NYT Mini Crossword guide for May 15, 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 15, 2026. Use it to revisit the across and down clues, answer logic, and tricky entries after the puzzle is solved.
Archive Snapshot
- Date
- May 15, 2026
- Across clues
- 5
- Down clues
- 5
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Hardest clue
- 7 Across
- Answers
- Answers included below
Why 7 Acrossis the hardest clue in today's NYT Mini Crossword
7 Across is the hardest clue because it cannot be solved cleanly by itself. The clue says it works with 8 Across, so solvers need to build the phrase across two entries and trust that GETIN is only the first half of the complete expression.
How to Start Today's Mini Crossword
Look for abbreviations and phrase fragments before forcing every answer to stand alone.
Mini Crossword Archive: Across Clues
Open these spoiler-light prompts before checking the answer list.
1 Across
Baseball stat hidden in "super big hit"
Read consecutive letters inside the phrase.
4 Across
Hi, in Hawaii
Use the familiar Hawaiian greeting.
7 Across
With 8-Across, start running or going to the gym
This is the first half of a fitness phrase.
8 Across
See 7-Across
Complete the phrase about improving fitness.
9 Across
Opposite of NNE
Use the compass direction directly across from north-northeast.
Mini Crossword Archive: Down Clues
Open these spoiler-light prompts before checking the answer list.
1 Down
Opposite of riches, in a saying
Think of the phrase about moving from poverty to wealth.
2 Down
"Ew, gross"
Use a short disgust sound.
3 Down
Tiny bits
Use a plural word for very small amounts.
5 Down
Where the hands are placed when "Hey, Macarena!" is sung
Think of the well-known dance move.
6 Down
All over again
Use the concise adverb meaning once more.
Mini Crossword Archive: Solve Checks
Use these quick checks before opening the full answer list.
- Can RBI be found inside "super big hit"?
- Do GETIN and SHAPE combine into a natural fitness phrase?
- Is SSW directly opposite NNE on the compass?
- Does HIPS fit the Macarena movement clue?
What Matters in This Puzzle
The hidden stat is literal
RBI is not just a baseball clue; the letters are embedded in the clue phrase.
The center phrase spans entries
GETIN and SHAPE should be read together as GET IN SHAPE.
Short fill needs crossings
BLEH, SSW, and RBI are easier to trust once the longer answers confirm their letters.
Post-game archive analysis
May 15, 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
RBI
Clue: Baseball stat hidden in "super big hit"
RBI is a baseball statistic, and the letters appear hidden across "super big hit."
4 Across
ALOHA
Clue: Hi, in Hawaii
ALOHA is commonly used as a Hawaiian greeting.
7 Across
GETIN
Clue: With 8-Across, start running or going to the gym
GET IN begins the phrase GET IN SHAPE, meaning to start exercising or improving fitness.
8 Across
SHAPE
Clue: See 7-Across
SHAPE completes GET IN SHAPE, the phrase referenced by 7-Across.
9 Across
SSW
Clue: Opposite of NNE
SSW, or south-southwest, is the opposite compass direction from NNE.
Down Answers
1 Down
RAGS
Clue: Opposite of riches, in a saying
The saying is "from rags to riches," so RAGS is the opposite side of the phrase.
2 Down
BLEH
Clue: "Ew, gross"
BLEH is an informal expression of disgust or distaste.
3 Down
IOTAS
Clue: Tiny bits
IOTAS are tiny amounts or bits.
5 Down
HIPS
Clue: Where the hands are placed when "Hey, Macarena!" is sung
In the Macarena dance sequence, the hands are placed on the HIPS.
6 Down
ANEW
Clue: All over again
ANEW means again or once more.
How This Mini Crossword Archive Puzzle Works
The May 15 Mini uses several compact clue types. RBI is hidden in the phrase "super big hit," while ALOHA and SSW are direct knowledge clues. GETIN and SHAPE form the phrase GET IN SHAPE, so neither entry should be judged alone. RAGS comes from the familiar rags-to-riches saying, BLEH is informal reaction fill, IOTAS means tiny bits, HIPS depends on remembering the Macarena choreography, and ANEW gives the grid a clean final adverb. The main solving risk is missing that 7 Across and 8 Across are meant to combine.
Caution Notes
Do not split the fitness phrase semantically
7 Across only makes full sense with 8 Across.
Use the clue wording for RBI
The answer is hidden in the phrase, so do not overthink baseball statistics.
Previous and Next Day
Compare today's clue logic with neighboring Mini Crossword guides.