Welcome to The Mini Hints. If you’re a word game fan, you know the day isn’t over until you’ve cleared the New York Times daily lineup. While many people love Wordle or Strands, the NYT Mini Crossword is a favorite ritual for many of us.
Unlike the larger NYT puzzles, the Mini resets every night at 10 p.m. ET. If you are stuck on the Sunday, May 3 puzzle, we have you covered.
Below, you will find the hints first, followed by the full answer key at the bottom. Use the hints if you just need a small nudge, but be careful as you scroll if you want to avoid spoilers!
Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Here are some extra clues to help you solve today’s puzzle.
Across Hints
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1 Across: Culinary institute instructor — HINT: Starts with “C”
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5 Across: “Earth to [name]? You there?!” — HINT: Ends with “O”
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7 Across: How you shouldn’t read the cue words on a teleprompter — HINT: Starts with “A”
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8 Across: ___-Bismol (antacid brand) — HINT: Starts with “P”
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9 Across: Mean-mugging look — HINT: Ends with “R”
Down Hints
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1 Down: Dries out, as lips — HINT: Ends with “S”
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2 Down: ___ of Troy — HINT: Starts with “H”
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3 Down: Say “I dos” without the ado? — HINT: Ends with “E”
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4 Down: Instrument that’s held horizontally while playing it — HINT: Ends with “E”
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6 Down: Smell from a dumpster — HINT: Starts with “R”
Answers for NYT’s The Mini Crossword: Sunday, May 3, 2026
If you are ready to see the solutions, here are the completed lines for today’s puzzle.
Across Answers
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1 Across: Culinary institute instructor — CHEF
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5 Across: “Earth to [name]? You there?!” — HELLO
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7 Across: How you shouldn’t read the cue words on a teleprompter — ALOUD
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8 Across: ___-Bismol (antacid brand) — PEPTO
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9 Across: Mean-mugging look — SNEER
Down Answers
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1 Down: Dries out, as lips — CHAPS
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2 Down: ___ of Troy — HELEN
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3 Down: Say “I dos” without the ado? — ELOPE
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4 Down: Instrument that’s held horizontally while playing it — FLUTE
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6 Down: Smell from a dumpster — ODOR
NYT Mini Crossword Hints & Answers for Saturday, May 2, 2026