NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Saturday, February 21, 2026

Kenn C. BivinsSat, February 21, 2026 at 3:15 AM UTC

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(The New York Times )

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 Saturday, February 21, 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 Saturday, February 21, 2026

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

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: "Jersey Shore" channel — HINT: Starts with the letter "V"

4 Across: "____ Knows" (rhyming ad slogan) —HINT: Starts with the letter "L"6 Across: Second-best-selling female musician of all-time, behind Taylor Swift — HINT: Ends with the letter "A"8 Across: Whiskey grain — HINT: Starts with the letter "E"9 Across: Dreaded workday: Abbr. — HINT: Ends with the letter "N"10 Across: Backfiring blunder, in modern lingo — HINT: Starts with the letter "S"12 Across: Lengthy sheet for a complicated board game, perhaps — HINT: Ends with the letter "S"13 Across: Subtle "yes" — HINT: Ends with the letter "D"

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NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: In which high schoolers might role-play as ambassadors — HINT: Starts with the letter "M"

2 Down: This clue number — HINT: Ends with the letter "O"

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3 Down: Paid via app, perhaps — HINT: Ends with the letter "D"

4 Down: Coat of paint — HINT: Starts with the letter "L"

5 Down: Falls in winter, say — HINT: Ends with the letter "S"6 Down: Married title — HINT: Starts with the letter "M"7 Down: ____ Arbor, Mich. — HINT: Ends with the letter "N"11 Down: Woman in Progressive ads — HINT: Starts with the letter "F"

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Saturday, February 21, 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: "Jersey Shore" channel — MTV

4 Across: "____ Knows" (rhyming ad slogan) —LOWES6 Across: Second-best-selling female musician of all-time, behind Taylor Swift — MADONNA8 Across: Whiskey grain — RYE9 Across: Dreaded workday: Abbr. — MON10 Across: Backfiring blunder, in modern lingo — SELFOWN12 Across: Lengthy sheet for a complicated board game, perhaps — RULES13 Across: Subtle "yes" — NOD

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: In which high schoolers might role-play as ambassadors — MODELUN

2 Down: This clue number — TWO

3 Down: Paid via app, perhaps — VENMOED

4 Down: Coat of paint — LAYER

5 Down: Falls in winter, say — SNOWS6 Down: Married title — MRS7 Down: ____ Arbor, Mich. — ANN11 Down: Woman in Progressive ads — FLO

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This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”