Today’s NYT Mini Crossword for December 23, 2025 offers simple clues, familiar answers, and a smooth, quick-solving experience.
The Mini puzzle remains popular for its balance of fun, speed, and clarity, making it perfect for daily play.
The Mini continues to be a key part of NYT Games, serving as a fast mental warm-up before bigger puzzles.
The New York Times Mini Crossword arrives every day with a small but smart challenge. Today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers for December 23, 2025 continue that daily tradition. The Mini feels quick, fun, and sharp. The puzzle fits perfectly into a busy day.
The Mini crossword stands apart from the larger NYT crossword. The grid stays small. The clues stay clear. Each word connects neatly. The goal focuses on speed and accuracy. Many solvers treat the Mini as a warm-up for other NYT Games. Others enjoy it as a daily habit.
Every new day welcomes a fresh set of clues and answers. Today’s puzzle blends common words, pop culture, food, science, and history. The clues feel friendly. The answers feel familiar. A smooth flow keeps the solving experience enjoyable from start to finish.
The daily NYT Mini puzzle works because of balance. Each clue feels short and direct. Each answer makes sense once revealed. The grid avoids rare words. This style keeps frustration low and fun high.
The Mini also tests speed. A single tricky clue can slow progress. That pause adds excitement. Finishing the grid brings a quick sense of success. December 23 delivers that feeling with clean wordplay and smart clues.
1A: Clue: S, as in shaker
Answer: SALT
Explanation: A shaker on the table usually contains salt.
5A: Clue: Cawing bird
Answer: CROW
Explanation: A crow makes a loud “caw” sound.
6A: Clue: ___ shrimp (oxymoron)
Answer: JUMBO
Explanation: “Jumbo shrimp” combines two opposite ideas.
7A: Clue: Most common instrument in New York Times crosswords, with over 800 appearances
Answer: OBOE
Explanation: Oboe fits crossword grids easily and appears often.
8A: Clue: Units of corn
Answer: EARS
Explanation: Corn grows in ears, not singles.
1D: Clue: Kind of gear for diving
Answer: SCUBA
Explanation: Scuba gear helps people breathe underwater.
2D: Clue: Knight’s protection
Answer: ARMOR
Explanation: Knights wore armor during battles.
3D: Clue: Brain sections
Answer: LOBES
Explanation: The brain is divided into different lobes.
4D: Clue: Number of teeth for Goofy
Answer: TWO
Explanation: Goofy shows two large front teeth.
6D: Clue: Presidential first name of the 2020s
Answer: JOE
Explanation: The 2020s began with President Joe Biden.
Also Read – NYT Wordle Answer Today for December 23, 2025: Hints and Expert Walkthrough Revealed
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers feel balanced and friendly. The clues avoid confusion. The answers stay common. Each word fits naturally into the grid. The longer clue about crossword history adds a clever touch.
The puzzle also connects well with the wider NYT Games experience. Many players move from the Mini to Wordle, Connections, or other daily games. The Mini acts as a fast mental warm-up before tackling bigger challenges.
NYT Games continue to grow in popularity. The Mini Crossword plays an important role in that collection. Its quick format suits all skill levels. The game builds routine and sharp thinking.
December 23 adds another solid entry to the daily lineup. The puzzle feels light but rewarding. Each solved clue adds momentum. Each completed grid brings satisfaction.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword delivers a clean and enjoyable puzzle for December 23, 2025. Simple clues, clear answers, and smooth flow define the experience. The Mini once again proves why it remains a daily favorite among NYT Games fans.
Tomorrow awaits with another fresh grid, new clues, and new answers. The daily challenge continues, ready to welcome puzzle lovers back for another quick and clever solve.
Also Read – Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for December 22, 2025