The NYT Mini Crossword for Friday, September 18, 2026, presents a compact 5×5 grid that blends pop culture references with scientific trivia. If you are stuck on a specific clue or looking to verify your final grid, the following guide provides progressive hints followed by the full solution set.
Friday Mini Crossword Hints
If you prefer to solve the puzzle yourself, use these hints to nudge your memory without seeing the full answers.
Across Hints
- 1-Across: This four-letter acronym represents the rail system connecting San Francisco to the East Bay.
- 5-Across: Common digital shorthand used when a text message is particularly hilarious.
- 6-Across: Describes the texture of the head on a beer poured straight from the keg.
- 7-Across: A slow, viscous movement, similar to how thick honey or lava travels.
- 8-Across: A legendary team of Marvel mutants that includes characters like Wolverine and Storm.
Down Hints
- 1-Down: The process of a flower bud opening into a full blossom.
- 2-Down: A five-letter verb that means to astonish or fill someone with wonder.
- 3-Down: A popular Japanese noodle soup known for varieties like Tonkotsu or Shio.
- 4-Down: The collectible item found inside a McDonald’s Happy Meal.
- 6-Down: The common name for the animal classified scientifically as Vulpes vulpes.
SPOILER WARNING: The full answer key for today’s NYT Mini follows below.
NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sept. 18, 2026
If you have exhausted your hints or want to check your work, here are the verified answers for the Friday morning puzzle.
Across Answers
- 1-Across: BART (San Francisco’s rail system, or Bay Area Rapid Transit)
- 5-Across: LMAO (Response to a funny text)
- 6-Across: FOAMY (Like beer from the tap, often)
- 7-Across: OOZE (Move like honey)
- 8-Across: XMEN (Group of Marvel superheroes)
Down Answers
- 1-Down: BLOOM (Open up, as a flower)
- 2-Down: AMAZE (Wow)
- 3-Down: RAMEN (Noodle dish in a rich broth)
- 4-Down: TOY (Happy Meal inclusion)
- 6-Down: FOX (Animal known scientifically as Vulpes vulpes)
Today’s puzzle leans on several common crossword staples, such as the acronym BART and the scientific name for the Red Fox (FOX). You can find more strategies for solving daily word games on Parade, which tracks daily puzzle trends.
