NYT Mini Crossword Feb 15: Hints and answers to solve Saturday word puzzle

For many puzzle enthusiasts, solving the NYT Mini Crossword is a daily ritual.

Though the New York Times is widely known for its larger, subscriber-exclusive crossword, its Mini Crossword has carved out a dedicated fan base, offering a bite-sized challenge that can be completed in just a few minutes.


If you’re tackling today’s Mini Crossword for Saturday, February 15, 2025, and need a little nudge in the right direction, we’ve got you covered.

Below, you’ll find hints for each Across and Down clue, as mentioned in a report by Parade magazine.

Please be mindful if you want to avoid spoilers!

Hints for NYT Mini Crossword (February 15, 2025)

Across Clues & Hints

1 Across: Governing body of world soccer — Hint: It starts with "F"
5 Across: "_____ is a world within itself, with a language we all understand" (Stevie Wonder lyric) — Hint: It ends with "C"
6 Across: Opposite of rough — Hint: It starts with "G"
7 Across: Pictures that employ the "flip camera" button — Hint: It ends with "S"
8 Across: Away from the ocean — Hint: It starts with "I"
9 Across: Earthenware pot — Hint: It ends with "K"
10 Across: Clark ____ a.k.a. Superman — Hint: It starts with "K"

Down Clues & Hints

1 Down: Cool bit of trivia — Hint: It ends with "T"
2 Down: Admission of ineptitude — Hint: It starts with "I"
3 Down: Smoothed, as fingernails — Hint: It ends with "D"
4 Down: AAAA, in a deck — Hint: It starts with "A"
5 Down: Pittsburgh's Carnegie ______ University — Hint: It ends with "N"
6 Down: Rom-com or thriller — Hint: It starts with "G"
7 Down: "Totally awesome!" — Hint: It ends with "K"

NYT Mini Crossword Answers for February 15, 2025

If you're ready to check your work—or just want to get straight to the solutions—here are today’s Across and Down answers for the NYT Mini Crossword.

Across Answers

1 Across: FIFA (Governing body of world soccer)
5 Across: MUSIC (Stevie Wonder lyric reference)
6 Across: GENTLE (Opposite of rough)
7 Across: SELFIES (Pictures taken with the "flip camera" button)
8 Across: INLAND (Away from the ocean)
9 Across: CROCK (Earthenware pot)
10 Across: KENT (Clark Kent, Superman's alias)

Down Answers

1 Down: FUNFACT (Cool bit of trivia)
2 Down: ISTINK (Admission of ineptitude)
3 Down: FILED (Smoothed, as fingernails)
4 Down: ACES (AAAA in a deck of cards)
5 Down: MELLON (Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University)
6 Down: GENRE (Rom-com or thriller)
7 Down: SICK ("Totally awesome!")

FAQs:

Is there a trick to solving crossword puzzles?

Making an educated guess can help reveal intersecting words. If you're uncertain about an answer but have a possible idea, consider writing it lightly in pencil in the grid.

What day is the NYT mini crossword the hardest?

NYT crosswords progressively increase in difficulty as the week advances, starting with the easiest on Monday and culminating in the most challenging puzzle on Saturday.