Five across, five down. Tap a cell to start typing.
1 AcrossVital pumping organ
Across
Down
Stuck? Get first-letter hintsClick to open
First letter of every answer. Crossings will fill the rest in faster than you think.
Across
1.Vital pumping organH_
2.Smouldering coalE_
3.MistreatA_
4.Sticky pine secretionR_
5.Fashion directionT_
Down
1.Symbol of loveH_
2.Glowing fireplace remnantE_
3.Wrongful useA_
4.Tree sap that hardensR_
5.What's currently popularT_
How to play Mini Crossword
1
Tap a cell to start
The active cell highlights and the current clue shows up at the top. Tap a cell to jump there directly.
2
Type a letter
On desktop, use the keyboard. On mobile, the on-screen keyboard pops up. The cursor advances automatically.
3
Switch between Across and Down
Tap the same cell again to toggle direction, or hit the small Across/Down indicator. The clue updates.
4
Fill every square
All 25 cells need a letter. Every row is one 5-letter word and every column is another. The puzzle is solved when every word checks out.
5
Beat your time
The clock starts on your first letter. Your time saves locally and against today's leaderboard if you're signed in.
Tips & strategy
•Crosswords are about crossings, not single answers. Solve the easy clues first, then let the shared letters give you the harder ones.
•Short words have surprisingly few patterns. If a 5-letter word ends in -EARN, you have maybe a dozen candidates: LEARN, YEARN, EARNS, etc.
•Common crossword fillers worth knowing: OREO, ERIE, ELI, AREA, IDEA, ESS, ORE, NEE. They appear constantly because of useful letter combinations.
•When a clue feels too vague, skip it. Come back after the crossings narrow it down to one or two possibilities.
•Check your spelling on long downs as you go. One wrong letter in the middle row breaks two words.
Frequently asked questions
Is Melio Mini Crossword free?
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Yes. Free, no ads, no account required. Sign in for streaks.
Is the puzzle the same as the NYT Mini Crossword?
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No. Melio Mini Crossword is hand-authored independently. Same 5×5 format, but different grids and clues. We currently rotate through several puzzles.
When does the daily reset?
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Midnight UTC. Everyone gets the same puzzle for the day.
How long should a mini crossword take?
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Most solvers finish in 1–3 minutes. Sub-minute is fast. Under 30 seconds is competitive territory.
What if I'm stuck?
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Skip the clue and solve the crossing words. Each filled letter narrows the stuck word's candidates. If you're truly blocked, take a break, sometimes the answer is obvious after five minutes away.
Are there themes?
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Not on the mini. Bigger crosswords build around themes; minis focus on tight, fair word-and-clue construction.