A definition
What is a mini crossword?
A mini crossword is a tiny American-style grid. Ours is 5×5 with no black squares. Every letter sits in both an across and a down entry.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 · easy
0:00
Across 1
Construction lifter
Across
Down
How it differs from a full crossword
A newspaper crossword uses black squares, more theme, and 15 or 21 letters on a side. A mini is a daily snack with the same crossing idea.
Questions
- Who invented the mini?
- Short crosswords have existed for decades. The daily “mini” habit became popular as a phone-sized puzzle.