If you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I finish all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!

Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you’re working on today’s Mini on for Today’s Mini Crossword on Monday, February 9, 2026, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Monday, February 9, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Stopper that may get popped — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”

5 Across: ___ Kim, Olympian whose name aptly rhymes with “snowy” —HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

6 Across: Like terrain that’s good for sledding — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”

7 Across: Diabolical deeds — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”

8 Across: Lawyer’s charges — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Green additive to cream cheese — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

2 Down: Basic jump in snowboarding — HINT: Starts with the letter “O”

3 Down: Nose ___ (snowboarding moves) — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”

4 Down: Piano’s set of 88 — HINT: Starts with the letter “K”

5 Down: Title for Carmy or Sydney on “The Bear” — HINT: Ends with the letter “F”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Monday, February 9, 2026

Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Stopper that may get popped — CORK

5 Across: ___ Kim, Olympian whose name aptly rhymes with “snowy” — CHLOE

6 Across: Like terrain that’s good for sledding — HILLY

7 Across: Diabolical deeds — EVILS

8 Across: Lawyer’s charges — FEES

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Green additive to cream cheese — CHIVE

2 Down: Basic jump in snowboarding — OLLIE

3 Down: Nose ___ (snowboarding moves) — ROLLS

4 Down: Piano’s set of 88 — KEYS

5 Down: Title for Carmy or Sydney on “The Bear” — CHEF

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Sunday, February 8, 2026