NYT Mini Crossword Answers for April 12, 2025: Today’s Clues and Solutions

 New York

The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 12, 2025, delivered another engaging puzzle for enthusiasts and casual solvers alike. Designed as a quick mental workout, the Mini offers a compact 5×5 grid that typically takes just a few minutes to complete, making it a perfect addition to any daily routine.

Whether you’re a crossword veteran or a curious beginner, today’s clues offered a satisfying mix of wordplay, general knowledge, and cultural references. Here’s a breakdown of all the clues and answers from today’s puzzle:

Across Clues and Answers

• 1A) Do, re, mi, fa, ___, la …
  Answer: SOL
  Explanation: Part of the solfège musical scale.
• 4A) Still up in the air, for short
  Answer: TBD
  Explanation: “To Be Determined”, often used when a decision is pending.
• 7A) With 14-Across, “?????”
  Answer: CONFUSING
  Explanation: Refers to a puzzling situation; paired with 14-Across to suggest ambiguity.
• 9A) ___ Grande
  Answer: RIO
  Explanation: A major river forming part of the U.S.-Mexico border.
• 10A) Bone connecting the elbow and wrist
  Answer: ULNA
  Explanation: One of the two bones in the forearm.
• 11A) Things issued by the D.M.V.
  Answer: IDS
  Explanation: Identification documents such as driver’s licenses.
• 12A) Elaborate hairstyle
  Answer: COIF
  Explanation: A styled and often intricate hairdo.
• 13A) Part of the eye that contains the iris
  Answer: UVEA
  Explanation: The pigmented middle layer of the eye.
• 14A) See 7-Across: C
  Answer: CONFUSING
  Explanation: Ties back to 7-Across, reinforcing the cryptic nature of the clue.
• 15A) “Sure, whatever you say …”
  Answer: OKAY
  Explanation: A casual form of agreement.
• 16A) 24 cans of beer
  Answer: CASE
  Explanation: Standard packaging for beer in bulk.

Down Clues and Answers

• 1D) Plaster wall coating
  Answer: STUCCO
  Explanation: Common exterior/interior wall finish.
• 2D) “Hey, check it out!”
  Answer: OH LOOK
  Explanation: An exclamatory phrase to grab attention.
• 3D) Weather phenomenon that translates to “the girl”
  Answer: LA NINA
  Explanation: Opposite of El Niño; impacts global weather patterns.
• 4D) It’s full of questions
  Answer: TRIVIA
  Explanation: Refers to small facts or quiz-style questions.
• 5D) White House family during the 2020s
  Answer: BIDENS
  Explanation: The presidential family under Joe Biden’s administration.
• 6D) Medicinal amount
  Answer: DOSAGE
  Explanation: The prescribed quantity of medication.
• 8D) Chewy candy
  Answer: TAFFY
  Explanation: A soft, stretchy sweet treat.
• 13D) Sch. that plays home football games at the L.A. Coliseum
  Answer: USC
  Explanation: University of Southern California.

Today’s puzzle stood out for its clever wordplay and balanced difficulty, making it both approachable and enjoyable. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Mini and keep your vocabulary sharp!