The NYT Mini Crossword for Friday, September 11, 2026, features a blend of visual logic puzzles, 1990s alternative rock lyrics, and state-specific trivia. This 5×5 grid leans into pop culture and geographic slogans to challenge players for the end of the week.
Hints for Today’s NYT Mini Crossword
If you prefer to solve the puzzle with a little assistance before seeing the full grid, here are progressive hints for the most difficult clues:
- 1-Across (Picture puzzle): This refers to a type of puzzle where images or symbols represent words or parts of words. Think about the specific sequence: Eye (I) + Heart (Love) + Sheep (You/Ewe).
- 6-Across (License plates): This state has featured “Famous Potatoes” on its license plates since 1928. Recently, the state introduced a popular retro black-and-white version of this plate in 2025.
- 3-Down (Weezer lyric): The phrase “I’ll bring home the turkey if you bring home the ___” finishes a line from the 1996 song “El Scorcho” by Weezer, found on their album Pinkerton.
- 9-Across (Long-running show): This three-letter acronym refers to the late-night comedy sketch show known for its “Live from New York…” cold opens.
SPOILER WARNING: The following section contains the full list of answers for the NYT Mini Crossword on Friday, September 11, 2026.
NYT Mini Crossword Answers: Sept. 11, 2026
The solution for the 1-Across rebus clue relies on phonetic substitution, where the sheep (ewe) represents the word “you.” In the Down columns, the Weezer reference serves as a double-entendre for the common idiom “bring home the bacon.”
Across Answers
- 1-Across: Picture puzzle where 👁️ + ❤️ + 🐑 means “I love you” – REBUS
- 6-Across: Its license plates read “Famous Potatoes” – IDAHO
- 7-Across: After-dinner coffee order – DECAF
- 8-Across: Distinctive feature of an aardvark – SNOUT
- 9-Across: Long-running show with a cold open, familiarly – SNL
Down Answers
- 1-Down: Frees (of) – RIDS
- 2-Down: Utopian places – EDENS
- 3-Down: “I’ll bring home the turkey if you bring home the ___” – BACON
- 4-Down: Big name in moving trucks – UHAUL
- 5-Down: Word before ware or ball – SOFT
For more puzzle help and daily strategies, CNET provides updated guides for the New York Times Games suite.
