Lex.Games Mini Crossword
Rate itA five by five daily crossword from Lex Friedman, timed, with a leaderboard.
on lex.games

The Lex.Games Mini is a small daily crossword written by Lex Friedman, numbered and the same for every player. Fill a five by five grid from about ten short clues as fast as you can, then compare your time on the Mini leaderboard. A full-size crossword is there for subscribers.
About Lex.Games Mini Crossword
The Mini is the daily crossword on Lex.Games, the word game site run by Lex Friedman. Each puzzle is numbered and dated: Mini #949 was the puzzle for 22 October 2026, and the archive lists every one before it day by day. The grid is five squares across, with a handful of black squares, and about ten clues split between Across and Down.
The clues are short and mostly straight, with a few fill-in-the-blank phrases and the odd playful one. On #929 they ran from Two under par and Junkyard metal to Uncle of note; #949 hung several clues on The Three Little Pigs, with straw and brick both in the grid. It is meant to be solved in a couple of minutes.
Your solve time is kept, and logged-in players can compare it on the Mini leaderboard. You can play without an account. Autocheck marks wrong letters as you type, and you can reveal a square, a word or the whole puzzle if you are stuck. The share button copies your time and a small grid of squares, with yellow squares where you had help. When you finish, the site points you to another of its dailies.
The Mini is free on the web and in the Lex.Games app for iPhone and iPad. Crossword PRO, a full-size crossword, and other PRO games come with the paid upgrade. The Mini suits anyone who wants a quick crossword with a clock and a leaderboard.
The page carries no advertising; the only card under the grid points to Lex Friedman's own games and apps. On a phone the site shows its own on-screen keyboard and a clue bar under the grid.
How to play Lex.Games Mini Crossword
- Open lex.games/mini and click a square or a clue to start; the arrows switch between Across and Down.
- Type your answers into the five by five grid.
- Turn on Autocheck if you want wrong letters marked as you go.
- If stuck, reveal a square, a word or the whole puzzle; revealed squares show in your share grid.
- Fill the grid to stop the timer, then share your time or check the Mini leaderboard.
Screenshots

Tips
- Do the fill-in-the-blank clues first; they are usually the quickest.
- In a five by five grid every letter is crossed, so if an Across answer stalls, try the Down clues that run through it.
- Leave Autocheck off if you want a clean time and share grid.
- Older Minis are in the archive if you want practice.
Questions
How big is the Lex.Games Mini?
Five squares by five, with about ten clues.
Is it free?
Yes, on the web and in the Lex.Games iPhone and iPad app. The full-size Crossword PRO needs the paid upgrade.
Can I get help?
Yes. Autocheck marks wrong letters, and you can reveal a square, a word or the whole puzzle. Help shows in your share grid.
Can I play older Minis?
Yes, they are in the archive.
Does the Mini have ads?
No. We saw no ad scripts or ad slots on the page; the card under the grid promotes Lex Friedman's own games and apps.
Do I need an account?
No. The Mini plays without signing in. An account is there for the leaderboard and the paid PRO games.
Ratings and reviews
Games like Lex.Games Mini Crossword

The Mini Crossword
The best known daily mini: 5x5 on most days and 7x7 on Saturdays, timed, with a leaderboard against friends.

Mini·5 (doce.games)
A numbered 5 by 5 daily where your time is your score and each hint letter adds 30 seconds, with a streak.

Crossherd
Another numbered 5x5 mini a day, the same for everyone, with earlier grids open in an archive.

Emcee (Mind Loft)
A 5x5 daily mini with numbered Across and Down clues and a leaderboard on checks and time.

Daily Mini Crossword
A 5 by 5 mini a day with a timer, three hints and an archive, and no ads.

LA Times Mini Crossword
A free dated 5x5 mini each day by Elizabeth C. Gorski, with the last two weeks in an archive.

Lex.Games Crossword
Lex Friedman's full-size themed 15x15 crossword on the same site, with its Sunday puzzle free.

Conlextions
Lex.Games' grouping puzzle, from the same site and app.
More daily crosswords
- Apple News+ Crossword
- Arkadium Daily Crossword
- Arkadium Daily Crossword Live
- Arkadium Mini Crossword
- Astraware Crosswords
- Best Daily American Crossword
- Best Daily Cryptic Crossword
- Best Daily Quick Crossword
- Boston Globe Crossword
- Chaosword
- Chicago Mini Crossword (Chicago Sun-Times)
- CNN Daily Crossword
- All daily crosswords