Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It tripped me up at first, because 5-Across and 2-Down go together, and I hate when you have to match up two separate answers. Fortunately, this one also had a descriptive clue — not all two-part answers do. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Jan. 21, 2026.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: The slightest amount
Answer: ABIT
5A clue: With 2-Down, intentionally inflammatory posts
Answer: RAGE
6A clue: Dirty stuff
Answer: FILTH
8A clue: Five Below or 7-Eleven
Answer: STORE
9A clue: Something used to steer a rowboat
Answer: OAR
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Sounds from a doggy daycare
Answer: ARFS
2D clue: See 5-Across
Answer: BAIT
3D clue: Domed home
Answer: IGLOO
4D clue: Small, colorful fish that’s popular in aquariums
Answer: TETRA
7D clue: 2013 film in which Joaquin Phoenix’s character falls in love with an A.I. operating system
Answer: HER
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Source: CNET
