Many of us start our day with the New York Times word games. Whether you play Wordle, Connections, or Strands, the NYT Mini Crossword is a favorite daily ritual.
While the full-sized crossword requires a subscription, the Mini is free for everyone. It resets every night at 10 p.m. ET. If you are stuck on the Thursday, February 19, 2026 puzzle, we have the help you need below.
We have organized this guide into two sections: hints first, followed by the actual answers. Scroll slowly if you want to avoid spoilers!
Hints for Today’s NYT Mini Crossword
If you just need a little nudge to solve the puzzle yourself, use these extra clues.
Across Hints
-
1 Across: With 5-Across, this is the standard response to “Knock, knock!” (Ends with “S”)
-
5 Across: See 1-Across. (Starts with “T”)
-
6 Across: A popular dating app that isn’t Tinder or Bumble. (Ends with “E”)
-
7 Across: What you do to a tube of toothpaste before using it. (Ends with “P”)
-
8 Across: The status of a message after someone has opened it. (Starts with “S”)
Down Hints
-
1 Down: To complain in a high-pitched voice, like saying “But, Mom!” (Starts with “W”)
-
2 Down: A formal way to say “therefore” or “because of this.” (Ends with “E”)
-
3 Down: A part of the body given by a donor, or a large musical instrument in a church. (Starts with “O”)
-
4 Down: To leak or flow out very slowly. (Starts with “S”)
-
5 Down: Another word for “therefore” or “consequently.” (Ends with “S”)
NYT Mini Crossword Answers (Feb 19, 2026)
Stop here if you aren’t ready to see the final solutions!
Across Answers
-
1 Across: WHOS
-
5 Across: THERE
-
6 Across: HINGE
-
7 Across: UNCAP
-
8 Across: SEEN
Down Answers
-
1 Down: WHINE
-
2 Down: HENCE
-
3 Down: ORGAN
-
4 Down: SEEP
-
5 Down: THUS
NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Wednesday, February 18, 2026
