Washington Post Mini Crossword: Guide, Tips & Comparison

Few daily rituals are as satisfying as cracking a tiny crossword in under two minutes. The Washington Post mini crossword delivers exactly that: a 5×5 grid that fits into a coffee break, updated every day for free.

Daily mini crossword: 1 new puzzle per day ·
Grid size: 5×5 ·
Average solve time: ~2 minutes ·
Cost: Free to play online ·
Platform: Web browser, mobile ·
Weekly meta puzzle: Available on Sundays

Seven key facts summarise what the Washington Post mini crossword is all about:

The pattern: the Post packs a complete daily puzzle into a format that demands speed, not endurance.

What is the Washington Post mini crossword?

The Washington Post mini crossword is a compact daily puzzle built for speed. According to the official description on The Washington Post Games official puzzle page, it’s a “fresh new puzzle” released every day.

How big is the grid?

• 5×5 grid – 25 cells total (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)
• 10 clues: 5 across and 5 down (Word.tips third‑party solver page)

The implication: the grid is small enough to solve in a couple of minutes, making it ideal for a quick mental break.

How many clues are there?

• Exactly 10 clues per daily puzzle (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)
• Clues are split evenly between Across and Down (Word.tips third‑party solver page)

The catch: with only 10 clues, every word counts – there’s little room for obscure trivia.

When was it introduced?

• The official play page was already indexed by search engines on 2023-02-21 (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)
• Third‑party answer archives show puzzles dated back to at least March 2026 (National Today answer archive)

What this means: the mini crossword has been a fixture for at least a few years, though the exact debut date isn’t published.

Is it free to play?

• Yes – no subscription or payment required (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)
• Accessible without a Washington Post subscription (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)

The pattern: free access removes a barrier, making the mini crossword one of the most accessible daily puzzles online.

How do you play the Washington Post mini crossword?

Getting started is straightforward. The puzzle lives on the Washington Post’s games portal, and the controls are simple enough for first‑time solvers.

How do I access the puzzle?

• Visit games.washingtonpost.com or washingtonpost.com/games (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)
• No download or app required – works in any modern browser (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)

The catch: the mobile browser experience is responsive, but there isn’t a dedicated app.

What are the controls?

• Click on a grid cell to select it, then type letters (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)
• Answers are checked automatically as you fill (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)
• No hints are provided, but the puzzle is designed to be solvable in a few minutes (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)

Why this matters: the lack of hints pushes solvers to rely on word knowledge and cross‑referencing, keeping the challenge pure.

How do I submit answers?

• Answers are automatically validated as you type – no explicit submit button (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)
• Correct letters turn green, incorrect ones turn red (Word.tips hints & tips guide)

The catch: instant feedback speeds up solving but can be frustrating if you’re stuck on a single clue.

Can I get hints?

• No official hints are available on the Washington Post site (The Washington Post Games official puzzle page)
• Third‑party sites like Word.tips hints & tips guide offer progressive letter‑reveal tools and multiple hint types

What this means: if you’re stuck, external resources can help without giving away the whole answer.

How does the Washington Post mini crossword compare to other mini crosswords?

Several characteristics set the Washington Post mini apart, especially its weekly meta puzzle and free pricing. The table below contrasts the daily mini with the weekly meta mini and a typical mini crossword from other publishers.

The pattern: the Washington Post mini stands out for being completely free and offering a weekly meta variant – a feature that’s uncommon among other mini crosswords.

Tips for solving the Washington Post mini crossword faster

Even a 5×5 puzzle can trip you up. Here are proven strategies from solvers and guides.

1. Start with the easiest clues – fill in obvious answers first (rms-humber.co.uk PDF solving guide)
2. Analyse clues for prefixes (un‑, re‑, pre‑) and suffixes (‑ment, ‑ing) (rms-humber.co.uk PDF solving guide)
3. Use cross‑referencing – letters from solved entries help deduce remaining answers (rms-humber.co.uk PDF solving guide)
4. Write down potential words on scrap paper if you’re solving on a device (rms-humber.co.uk PDF solving guide)
5. Make educated guesses when stuck – even a wrong guess can reveal letter patterns (rms-humber.co.uk PDF solving guide)

The catch: these tips work best after you’ve built strong vocabulary and pattern recognition – there’s no shortcut to practice.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

What players and experts say

“The Washington Post Mini Crossword is a fresh new puzzle.”

— The Washington Post Games official puzzle page

“Search for a specific clue and then select it to find the answer you need.”

— Try Hard Guides crossword answer archive

These two perspectives – one from the publisher, one from a solver community – highlight the dual nature of the mini crossword: it’s a polished daily offering, yet players often seek external help to crack the tougher clues.

Summary

The Washington Post mini crossword is a free, daily 5×5 puzzle that rewards quick thinking and wordplay. Its weekly meta variant adds a layer of depth that few other mini crosswords offer. For casual solvers looking for a five‑minute brain workout, the choice is clear: bookmark the games page, start with the easiest clues, and turn to third‑party hints when you’re truly stuck. The Post’s mini handles the trade‑off between purity and accessibility well — and the price (free) makes it an easy decision.

Related reading: Washington Post Mini Crossword hints & tips guide · Washington Post Mini Crossword official page

Frequently asked questions