Guardian Mini Crossword

About Guardian Mini Crossword

The Guardian started its Mini crossword series in December 2025, and the series page states simply that a mini crossword is published daily. Each one is numbered: No 1 went up on 17 December 2025, and No 289 appeared on 2 October 2026, one puzzle for each day in between. New minis are posted at midnight UK time.

The grid is five squares by five, usually with five Across and five Down clues. The clues are short and light, often with a British flavour: a recent mini asked for a verb on a tea packet and something offered by Franco Manca, the pizza chain. Answers fill most of the grid, so nearly every letter is checked by a crossing word.

You solve on the Guardian website by clicking a square or clue and typing. The usual Guardian crossword buttons let you check or reveal a word or the whole grid, and each puzzle has its own comment thread where solvers chat once they are done. Older minis can be opened from the series page.

It suits anyone who wants a crossword that takes a minute or two, and makes an easy entry point to the Guardian's Quick and Quiptic crosswords.

How to play Guardian Mini Crossword

1. Open the latest numbered Mini crossword from the series page.
2. Click a square or a clue to select an answer.
3. Type the answer; every word is five letters or fewer.
4. Use crossing answers to fix letters you are unsure of.
5. Press Check or Reveal if you get stuck.

Tips

• Start with the clue you find easiest, then use its letters for the crossing answers.
• Expect British references and spelling.
• In a 5x5 grid almost every letter is checked twice, so a wrong letter shows up quickly in the crossing word.
• If the Mini goes fast, try the Quick or Quiptic crosswords on the same site.

Questions