Today's Mini Crossword Solutions

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Today’s puzzle took me longer than usual. I was stumped by 1-Across and 5-Across for a bit. Read on for all the answers.

The Mini Crossword is a nice break from the tougher puzzles, and it takes only a fraction of the time of the vaunted, regular New York Times Crossword puzzle.

Across Clues

1A clue: Work benefitAnswer: PERK

5A clue: Delay airing, as a news storyAnswer: SITON

6A clue: ⏸️, on a remoteAnswer: PAUSE

7A clue: Back-of-book search featureAnswer: INDEX

8A clue: They get sockedAnswer: TOES

The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Oct. 28, 2026.

Down Clues

1D clue: Chopin’s instrumentAnswer: PIANO

2D clue: Chopin practice pieceAnswer: ETUDE

3D clue: Pinkish winesAnswer: ROSES

4D clue: Lego competitorAnswer: KNEX

5D clue: ___ and polishAnswer: SPIT