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CrosswordsMini crosswordWord

Mini 5x5

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A small daily crossword from Ponder Club: ten clues, one 5x5 grid, a clock and a leaderboard.

Play Mini 5x5

on ponderclub.co

Mini 5x5 for 18 October 2026: today's empty 5x5 grid with one black square, the timer running, and the Across and Down clues beside it

Mini 5x5 is Ponder Club's daily mini crossword. Each day brings a new 5x5 grid with about five across and five down clues, written by Calli from Ponder Club, and you race the clock to fill it, then compare your time on the leaderboard.

About Mini 5x5

Mini 5x5 is one of the daily games on Ponder Club, a puzzle site run by Flying Comet Games LLC whose tagline is daily games for restless minds. Its mascot is a goose, and the site also hosts games such as Sudo Goose, Operator, Slideways and a daily solitaire deal.

Each day there is one dated 5x5 crossword, credited to Calli from Ponder Club, and everyone solves the same grid. Clues are short and general, for example car crash, long-legged water birds or Italian dessert, panna blank. A timer starts when you press Start, and you can pause, check your letters or reveal answers if you are stuck. Your best time is shown at the top.

The puzzle page has a leaderboard for the day, a comments section for talking about the grid, and an archive of earlier minis going back to late August 2025.

It suits anyone who likes the NYT Mini style of quick crossword and wants another one each morning.

How to play Mini 5x5

  1. Open the Mini 5x5 on ponderclub.co and press Start.
  2. Pick a clue from the Across or Down list and type the answer into the grid.
  3. Use Check to spot wrong letters, or Reveal if you are stuck.
  4. Fill the grid, see your time on the leaderboard, and try older minis from the archive.

Screenshots

Mini 5x5 in dark mode: an empty 5x5 grid with a timer and best time, and Across and Down clue lists

Tips

  • Solve the shortest, most certain clues first; crossings fill the rest quickly in a 5x5.
  • Fill-in-the-blank clues are usually the easiest place to start.
  • Use pause if you are interrupted, so the clock does not count against you.

Questions

Is the puzzle the same for everyone?

Yes. There is one dated Mini 5x5 per day for all players, with a daily leaderboard.

When does a new one appear?

Each puzzle is dated in US Pacific time, so a new one starts at midnight Pacific.

Can I play older minis?

Yes. The archive goes back to August 2025.

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