Many people start their day with the New York Times word games. Whether you play Wordle, Connections, or Strands, the NYT Mini Crossword is a favorite daily ritual.
The Mini is a smaller version of the famous daily crossword. While most NYT games reset at midnight, the Mini resets at 10 p.m. ET.
If you are working on the Monday, March 16, 2026, puzzle and need a little help, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we have broken down the hints and answers to help you finish your grid.
NYT Mini Crossword Hints: March 16, 2026
If you aren’t ready for the full answers yet, use these extra clues to jog your memory.
Across Hints
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1 Across: Blues, e.g. — HINT: Starts with the letter “M”
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6 Across: Late actress Catherine of “Schitt’s Creek” — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”
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7 Across: List included with a board game — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
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8 Across: April Fools’ shenanigan — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”
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9 Across: Greek god of the underworld — HINT: Ends with the letter “H”
Down Hints
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1 Down: Transform gradually — HINT: Starts with the letter “M”
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2 Down: “Star Trek” officer portrayed by Zoe Saldaña — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”
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3 Down: Greens, e.g. — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
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4 Down: Woman’s name that’s an anagram of ERNIE — HINT: Starts with the letter “I”
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5 Down: Containers for reds and whites — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
NYT Mini Crossword Answers: March 16, 2026
Warning: Spoilers ahead! Stop scrolling here if you want to solve the puzzle on your own.
Across Answers
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1 Across: Blues, e.g. — MUSIC
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6 Across: Late actress Catherine of “Schitt’s Creek” — OHARA
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7 Across: List included with a board game — RULES
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8 Across: April Fools’ shenanigan — PRANK
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9 Across: Greek god of the underworld — HADES
Down Answers
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1 Down: Transform gradually — MORPH
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2 Down: “Star Trek” officer portrayed by Zoe Saldaña — UHURA
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3 Down: Greens, e.g. — SALAD
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4 Down: Woman’s name that’s an anagram of ERNIE — IRENE
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5 Down: Containers for reds and whites — CASKS
