Many of us have a daily ritual of playing the New York Times word games. Whether it’s Wordle, Connections, or Strands, the day doesn’t feel complete until the puzzles are solved. But for a quick challenge, nothing beats the NYT Mini Crossword.
While the full crossword requires a subscription, the Mini is free for everyone. It’s a fast-paced game that resets every night at 10 p.m. ET.
If you are working on the Friday, March 20, 2026, puzzle and need a little help, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we have broken down the clues into hints first, followed by the actual answers. Scroll carefully if you want to avoid seeing the solutions too soon!
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Hints
If you just need a small nudge to get moving, these hints should help.
Across Hints
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1 Across: Cable channel that airs March Madness games — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
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4 Across: Rapper with the 2026 #1 album “The Fall-Off” — HINT: Starts with the letter “J”
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6 Across: Review thoroughly, as taxes — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”
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7 Across: ‘Darn it!’ — HINT: Ends with the letter “P”
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8 Across: Annoying things to realize you’ve left in the house — HINT: Starts with the letter “K”
Down Hints
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1 Down: Yesterday, tomorrow — HINT: Starts with the letter “T”
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2 Down: Radar screen dots — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
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3 Down: “On your marks … get ___ …” — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”
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4 Down: Playing card historically called a knave — HINT: Starts with the letter “J”
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5 Down: Medical success — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers
Stop here if you aren’t ready to see the full solutions! Here are the answers for the Friday, March 20, 2026, puzzle.
Across Answers
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1 Across: Cable channel that airs March Madness games — TBS
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4 Across: Rapper with the 2026 #1 album “The Fall-Off” — JCOLE
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6 Across: Review thoroughly, as taxes — AUDIT
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7 Across: ‘Darn it!’ — CRAP
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8 Across: Annoying things to realize you’ve left in the house — KEYS
Down Answers
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1 Down: Yesterday, tomorrow — TODAY
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2 Down: Radar screen dots — BLIPS
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3 Down: “On your marks … get ___ …” — SET
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4 Down: Playing card historically called a knave — JACK
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5 Down: Medical success — CURE
NYT Mini Crossword Hints & Answers: Thursday, March 19, 2026
