NYT Mini Crossword Answers for March 15, 2026 | CNET

Looking for today’s Mini Crossword solution? The New York Times’ daily Mini Crossword for March 14, 2026, presented a slightly longer-than-usual Saturday challenge, with a few clues designed to test solvers. For those seeking a quick mental exercise, the Mini Crossword offers a streamlined puzzle experience compared to the full-sized New York Times Crossword, often solvable in just a few minutes. It’s part of a growing suite of word games from the NYT, including popular options like Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Connections. The New York Times Games portfolio continues to expand, offering a variety of puzzles for different skill levels and preferences.

Across Clues and Solutions

Let’s break down the answers to the across clues in today’s Mini Crossword:

1A: Book parts: Abbr. The answer is PGS, short for pages. This is a common abbreviation used when referencing sections within a book or document.

4A: Silicon Valley company that operates a fleet of robotaxis The answer is WAYMO. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet (Google’s parent company), has been a leading developer of autonomous driving technology and operates a robotaxi service in select areas. You can find more information about Waymo’s technology and services on their official website.

6A: To a much greater degree The answer is WAYMORE. This clue plays on the previous answer, creating a bit of wordplay.

8A: Contents of a scuba diver’s tank The answer is AIR. Scuba divers rely on compressed air to breathe underwater.

9A: South Korean automaker The answer is KIA. Kia is a major automotive manufacturer based in South Korea, known for producing a range of vehicles.

10A: Stop on a train route The answer is STATION. Train stations are designated locations where trains stop to load and unload passengers.

12A: Actress Merman of “Anything Goes” The answer is ETHEL. Ethel Merman was a celebrated American actress and singer, particularly known for her roles in Broadway musicals like “Anything Goes.”

13A: Find another purpose for The answer is REUSE. Reusing items is an important aspect of sustainability and reducing waste.

Down Clues and Solutions

Now, let’s gaze at the down clues and their corresponding answers:

1D: Employee’s hourly calculation The answer is PAYRATE. An employee’s pay rate is the amount of money they earn per hour worked.

2D: Workout spot The answer is GYM. A gym is a facility equipped for exercise.

3D: “Great” mountains of Tennessee, familiarly The answer is SMOKIES. The Great Smoky Mountains are a prominent mountain range in Tennessee and North Carolina, often referred to as “the Smokies.” The National Park Service provides detailed information about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

4D: One giving you the dish? The answer is WAITER. This is a play on words, referring to someone who serves food (“the dish”).

5D: Baltimore M.L.B. Player The answer is ORIOLE. The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

6D: Used to be The answer is WAS. A simple past tense verb.

7D: Suffix with Caesar or Euclid The answer is EAN. This suffix is often used in names to denote origin or association.

11D: Night that NBC once aired “30 Rock” and “The Office”: Abbr. The answer is THU, short for Thursday. Both “30 Rock” and “The Office” were popular sitcoms that aired on NBC on Thursday nights.

The New York Times offers a variety of other games alongside the Mini Crossword, including the full-sized Crossword, Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, and Sudoku. These games are available through the NYT Games app on both iOS and Android devices, as well as through the New York Times website. The app provides daily puzzles for all skill levels, with features like Wordle Bot to help players analyze their performance.

For those interested in improving their Mini Crossword solving skills, resources are available online. CNET offers tips and tricks for solving the Mini Crossword quickly and efficiently, covering strategies for tackling clues and recognizing common patterns.