- Alphabet Insight: The tricky Greek letter clue for 7-Across refers to “Theta,” which follows the sequence of Zeta and Eta in the classical alphabet.
- Geography Duo: 2-Down highlights “Soho,” a rare neighborhood name shared by iconic creative districts in both London and New York City.
- Spanish Influence: The solution for 3-Down, “Nueva,” provides a linguistic nod to New York’s multicultural identity and the city’s Spanish-language name.
For many puzzle enthusiasts, the morning doesn’t truly begin until the golden tiles of the NYT Mini Crossword are filled. Today’s grid for February 4, 2026, offers a clever bit of wordplay that bridges the gap between ancient Greek history and modern digital branding. Whether you’re stuck on a tricky vertical or just looking to beat your personal speed record, we have the breakdown you need to keep your streak alive.
Hints for February 4, 2026
If you’re looking to solve the puzzle yourself but just need a little nudge, here are a few tactical hints for today’s grid:
- 1-Across: Think of the Microsoft-owned news portal that recently underwent a visual overhaul.
- 7-Across: Brush up on your Greek; this letter follows the “Z” and “E” equivalents.
- 2-Down: A high-fashion, artsy district you’ll find south of Houston Street or in the West End of London.
- 4-Down: A playful aquatic mammal known for holding hands while sleeping.
Solving Stats for Today
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Global Average Solve Time: 1:14
Trickiest Clue: 7-Across (Theta)
NYT Mini Crossword Solution Grid
Sometimes seeing the visual layout is the easiest way to spot where you went wrong. Here is the completed 5×5 grid for today:
| – | Col 1 | Col 2 | Col 3 | Col 4 | Col 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Row 1 | M | S | N | O | W |
| Row 2 | Y | O | U | T | H |
| Row 3 | T | H | E | T | A |
| Row 4 | H | O | V | E | R |
| Row 5 | – | – | A | R | F |
Complete Answer List
Across
- 1A: MSNOW – A reference to MSN and its current news branding strategy.
- 6A: YOUTH – Captures the essence of childhood and early life.
- 7A: THETA – The eighth letter of the Greek alphabet.
- 8A: HOVER – A verb describing hovering, often used in the context of “helicopter parenting.”
- 9A: ARF – The universal onomatopoeia for a dog’s bark.
Down
- 1D: MYTH – A widely held but false belief or idea.
- 2D: SOHO – A vibrant neighborhood found in both New York and London.
- 3D: NUEVA – Spanish for “New,” as in “Nueva York.”
- 4D: OTTER – A charismatic marine mammal often featured in viral nature videos.
- 5D: WHARF – A structure on the shore where ships can dock to load or unload.
If you’re making a habit of these daily challenges, you might also find our NYT Mini Crossword solutions from earlier this year helpful for spotting recurring patterns in the puzzle’s design. The NYT Games editors frequently reuse certain “crosswordese” words, so studying past grids is the best way to improve your speed.
Crosswords continue to be a staple of daily cognitive health, with the official NYT Games site reporting record engagement levels in 2026. For more puzzle assistance, including tomorrow’s clues or help with the larger Sunday crossword, check out our other daily puzzle guides. Happy solving!
