Overview –
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword featured clever linked clues with the phrase ‘GET IN SHAPE’ becoming the puzzle highlight.
The May 15 puzzle mixed hidden words, pop culture, directions, and short phrases in one quick challenge.
NYT Games continues daily puzzle fun with Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections, Strands, and more brain games.
The NYT Mini Crossword is back with another fresh puzzle for Friday, May 15, 2026. Every day, the small crossword brings a new set of clues, short words, and clever answers. Some puzzles feel easy from the start, while others take extra thinking. Today’s Mini sits right in the middle. The crossword looks simple at first, but a few clues can slow down the solving speed.
Daily puzzle fans once again opened the NYT Games section to begin the latest Mini challenge. The Mini Crossword stays popular because it takes only a few minutes to play. Still, many clues pack smart wordplay into a tiny grid. That mix keeps players coming back every day.
Today’s crossword also includes linked clues. Those clues usually create the biggest challenge in a Mini puzzle. One answer depends on another answer, so the full meaning appears only after both spaces get filled correctly. The 7-Across and 8-Across clues do exactly that today.
Along with the Mini Crossword, many players also check other NYT Games every day. Wordle, Connections, Strands, and Sudoku continue to attract puzzle fans around the world. Still, the Mini Crossword remains one of the fastest and most enjoyable daily brain games.
1A clue: Baseball stat hidden in ‘super big hit.’
Answer: RBI
The letters R-B-I appear directly inside the phrase ‘super big hit.’
The first clue starts the puzzle with a hidden-word challenge. Crossword fans often enjoy spotting letters hidden inside longer phrases.
4A clue: Hi, in Hawaii
Answer: ALOHA
Aloha is the famous Hawaiian greeting used for both hello and goodbye.
This clue feels simple and cheerful. Short greeting words often appear in Mini Crossword puzzles because they fit perfectly into smaller grids.
7A clue: With 8-Across, start running or going to the gym
Answer: GETIN
This answer joins with 8-Across to form the phrase ‘GET IN SHAPE.’
This clue becomes clearer only after solving the next answer. Linked clues always make players pause and think twice.
8A clue: See 7-Across
Answer: SHAPE
The clue completes the full phrase ‘GET IN SHAPE.’
The combined answer creates one of the most memorable moments in today’s puzzle.
9A clue: Opposite of NNE
Answer: SSW
SSW stands for south-southwest, the opposite compass direction of NNE.
Direction clues appear often in crossword puzzles because abbreviations help fit smaller spaces.
Also Read: Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for May 14, 2026
This clue uses a well-known saying, which makes the answer easier to spot after a few letters appear.
2D clue: “Ew, gross”.
Answer: BLEH
‘Bleh’ is a casual expression used to show disgust or dislike.
Modern crossword puzzles now include many informal words and reactions from daily conversations.
3D clue: Tiny bits
Answer: IOTAS
Iotas means very tiny amounts or small pieces.
This word appears regularly in crossword puzzles, especially in smaller grids.
5D clue: Where the hands are placed when ‘Hey, Macarena!’ is sung
Answer: HIPS
The dance move places hands on the hips during part of the song.
This clue adds a fun pop culture moment to the puzzle and creates an easy visual hint.
6D clue: All over again
Answer: ANEW
Anew means something starts again from the beginning.
The final clue closes today’s Mini Crossword with a short and simple word.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword does not feel extremely difficult, but it still includes enough tricky moments to stay interesting. The linked phrase ‘GET IN SHAPE’ creates the biggest challenge in the puzzle. Many players usually solve smaller clues quickly, but connected answers often slow down the process.
The crossword also mixes different clue styles. Hidden words, sayings, short reactions, directions, and pop culture references all appear in one small puzzle. That variety makes the Mini Crossword enjoyable every single day.
Many puzzle fans also compare solving times after finishing the grid. Some players try to keep daily streaks alive, while others simply enjoy the quick challenge before starting the day.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword once again delivered a short but fun challenge with clever clues and easy-to-recognize answers. The linked ‘GET IN SHAPE’ clue pair became the highlight of the May 15 puzzle and added extra excitement to the grid.
The NYT Games section continues to grow in popularity with games like Wordle, Connections, Strands, Sudoku, and the Mini Crossword attracting millions of daily players. Each puzzle brings something fresh, simple, and entertaining.
Tomorrow awaits another brand-new Mini Crossword with fresh clues, tricky wordplay, and another quick brain challenge for puzzle lovers everywhere.
Also Read: NYT Wordle Answer Today for May 14, 2026: Hints and Expert Walkthrough Revealed