Today’s NYT Mini Crossword for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, throws a bit of a curveball with a clue about a recent media rebranding. If you haven’t tuned into cable news lately, 1-Across might be a tricky start. We also have a cute animal clue and some Greek alphabet trivia to keep you on your toes.
Whether you are stuck on the Spanish translation or the furry mammal, we have the full solution below.
Puzzle Analysis
Today’s grid is a standard 5×5 Wednesday puzzle.
- Theme: No central theme, but a focus on geography (SoHo, Nueva York) and animals (Otter, Dog park sounds).
- Tricky Clues: 1-Across refers to “MSNOW,” implying a rebranding of the channel MSNBC (a hypothetical or future event in the puzzle’s context). 7-Across requires knowledge of the Greek alphabet order.
Hints for Today’s Puzzle
Need a nudge without seeing the completed grid? Here are hint-based breakdowns for the tougher clues.
Across Hints:
- 1 Across: The channel known for The Rachel Maddow Show (think rebranding).
- 6 Across: The period of life between childhood and adulthood.
- 7 Across: The 8th letter of the Greek alphabet, following Eta.
- 8 Across: What anxious “helicopter” parents do over their children.
- 9 Across: A bark you might hear from a playful pup.
Down Hints:
- 1 Down: A widely held but false belief or idea (like “cats always land on their feet”).
- 2 Down: A trendy neighborhood found in both London and New York City.
- 3 Down: “New” in Spanish (as in ___ York).
- 4 Down: A playful water mammal that cracks open clams on its tummy.
- 5 Down: A structure where ships dock to load or unload.
Spoilers Below!
Warning: The section below contains the direct answers for today’s puzzle.
Across Answers
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “The Rachel Maddow Show” channel, after a 2025 rebranding | MSNOW |
| 6 | Childhood | YOUTH |
| 7 | Greek letter after zeta and eta | THETA |
| 8 | What helicopter parents do | HOVER |
| 9 | Sound at the dog park | ARF |
Down Answers
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Cats always land on their feet,” e.g. | MYTH |
| 2 | Neighborhood in both London and Manhattan | SOHO |
| 3 | ___ York, Spanish name for New York | NUEVA |
| 4 | Furry mammal that eats crustaceans | OTTER |
| 5 | Docking area | WHARF |
How to Play NYT Mini Crossword
If you are new to the Mini, here is how to get started:
- The Grid: It is a 5×5 grid (sometimes larger on Saturdays).
- The Goal: Fill in all white squares with letters to form words based on the clues.
- The Timer: The game tracks how fast you solve it. Try to beat your personal best!
- Rebus: Unlike the main crossword, the Mini rarely uses complex tricks or “Rebus” squares (multiple letters in one box).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the answer to 1 Across in today’s Mini?
The answer is MSNOW. This appears to be a play on the network MSNBC “now” or a specific rebrand mentioned in the puzzle’s lore.
What comes after Zeta and Eta?
In the Greek alphabet, the letter following Zeta and Eta is THETA.
When does the NYT Mini reset?
The puzzle resets daily at 10:00 PM ET on weekdays and 6:00 PM ET on weekends.
