When The New York Times first launched the Mini Crossword in 2014, it quickly became a cultural staple—its tiny 5×5 format helped normalize “bite-sized” puzzles and sparked a massive wave of demand for quick, daily brain-boost games across the internet. Mini crosswords have quietly become the perfect little ritual: one coffee, one tiny grid, one hit of “ohhh, THAT’S the answer.”
But in 2025, a lot of solvers suddenly hit a wall. The New York Times Mini, which had been free for over a decade, moved behind a paywall and now requires a Games-inclusive subscription.
When the NYT Mini moved behind a paywall, thousands of long-time solvers voiced frustration—triggering a huge surge in searches for free, high-quality mini crossword alternatives.
The good news? There are plenty of mini crosswords you can still play for free on the open web.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the five best free mini crosswords you can play right in your browser—no downloads, no subscriptions, and no paywall surprises. One of our criteria was simple: every game on this list must be:
- Playable on a website (not app-only)
- Free to access (ad-supported is fine, paywalls are not)
- “Mini” in feel: small grids, quick solves
- Updated regularly, ideally daily
1. Crossherd by CleverGoat: The Fast 5×5 Mini That Stays Free
If you’re looking for a daily mini that feels fresh but fair, Crossherd by CleverGoat is our top pick.
Crossherd is CleverGoat’s 5×5 mini crossword, designed specifically to test your word skills and speed. Your goal: fill the grid as quickly and accurately as possible using classic Across/Down clues.
What makes Crossherd stand out:
- No paywall, ever: Crossherd’s daily game is completely free to play and whilst there are ads, they’re not aggressive at all.
- Daily fresh puzzles: New minis drop every day.
- Free archive access: You can even dip into their archive to play all of their older games totally free.
- Clean, mobile-friendly design: Crossherd runs both in the browser and via the CleverGoat mobile app, with a simple interface that keeps focus on the grid and timer.
- Beginner-friendly but not boring: Clueing aims to be “aha” rather than cruel, so newer solvers can learn patterns while more experienced solvers chase faster times.
- Streaks: Log-in (easy account creation either via Google or Meta, or via magic sign-in link) and saves streak data and all your stats. Account creation not required though. Should you create an account, you’ll never be spammed or receive any emails.
If you want a fast, fair daily mini crossword that feels like it actually wants you to win—and you care about staying outside paywalls—Crossherd is the natural starting point. Crossherd is the best crossword mini out there.
Crossherd, CleverGoat’s free 5×5 mini crossword, is widely considered the best NYT Mini alternative — fast, fair, and fully free. This daily Crossherd puzzle showcases why it’s become the top choice for players searching for the best free mini crossword online.
2. Washington Post Mini Crossword: Polished and Daily
For solvers who like a slightly more traditional newspaper vibe, the Washington Post Mini Crossword is a fantastic free option.
The Post describes its mini as a bite-sized crossword designed to fit into a busy schedule: one new puzzle every day, playable directly in your browser with no subscription required.
Why we like it:
- Daily updates: A new mini appears every day, so it easily becomes part of your routine.
- Polished interface: The games hub UI is clean, responsive, and works well on both desktop and mobile.
- Great for “bridge” solvers: Difficulty is approachable but not trivial—nice if you’re somewhere between “total newbie” and “Saturday-grid masochist.”
If you want something that feels like a classic newspaper crossword in miniature, the Washington Post mini is about as close as you can get—without opening your wallet. Downside is that you are forced to watch a 15 second advertisement before you can play. Quite aggressive. But still subscription free.
A daily Washington Post Mini Crossword, offering solvers a clean, newspaper-style mini puzzle that’s completely free to play in your browser
3. LA Times Mini Crossword: Free Daily Minis With a Streak System
The Los Angeles Times Mini Crossword has quietly become one of the best free alternatives for people who miss the NYT Mini: daily puzzles, an archive, and a slick streak system—all without a subscription.
The LA Times explicitly bills its mini as a free, daily mini version of the classic crossword. You can play a new puzzle each day and browse their archive, with optional login to track streaks and scores.
Highlights:
- Totally free to play: The mini is available at no cost; logging in is optional if you want to track stats.
- Daily minis + archive: You’re not stuck with just today’s puzzle—there’s an archive to back-solve recent days and keep your streak feelings alive even if you missed a morning.
- West-coast flavor: Clues occasionally lean into pop culture and California references, which keeps things feeling contemporary and fun.
For solvers who like a little extra motivation, the streak feature and archive make the LA Times mini feel like a proper daily habit, not just a throwaway distraction.
LA Times Mini Crossword, a free daily mini puzzle known for its accessible clues and easy, streak-friendly gameplay.
4. USA Today “Two Minute Mini Crossword”: Time-Pressure Fun
Want a mini crossword with a built-in adrenaline shot? The Two Minute Mini Crossword on USA Today’s games hub is designed exactly for that.
USA Today describes it as a free, fast-paced crossword with just 10 answers, explicitly meant for people who only have a couple of minutes to spare. You’re encouraged (but not forced) to finish within 120 seconds.
Why it’s worth bookmarking:
- Ultra-short format: Only ten answers per puzzle. It’s the mini of minis.
- Built-in timer: The two-minute target adds a fun, low-stakes pressure that keeps you coming back to beat your time.
- Free and ad-supported: Like many news-site games, you’ll see ads—but no subscription is required to play.
If you’re the kind of solver who loves speed-runs, “just one more” puzzles, and micro-challenges during your day, the Two Minute Mini is a perfect fit.
USA Today’s Two-Minute Mini Crossword challenges players to complete a tiny, fast-paced puzzle under the two-minute mark — no subscription required.
5. Arkadium Mini Crossword: The Casual Gamer’s Mini
Arkadium is one of the web’s biggest casual-games platforms, and their Mini Crossword is a solid choice if you want something friendly, flexible, and free.
Arkadium calls this “the best free online Mini Crossword,” with a daily puzzle, no downloads, and no registration needed. You just open the page and start solving in your browser.
What you get:
- Instant play: No login, no install, no friction—just tap or click into the grid and go.
- Daily updates: New puzzles appear regularly, so you can make it a quick daily ritual.
- Casual-friendly difficulty: Arkadium’s audience skews casual, and the clueing reflects that. It’s a great on-ramp for newer solvers or people returning to crosswords after a long break.
If you already enjoy other Arkadium games (word search, jigsaws, etc.), their mini crossword fits right into that “just one more puzzle” ecosystem.
The Arkadium Mini Crossword, a casual and beginner-friendly mini puzzle that updates daily and remains completely free to play.
Honorable Mentions (Also Free!)
If you work through all five and still want more:
- Indian Express Mini Crossword – Minis built specifically for an Indian, internet-savvy audience, with clues that reference contemporary headlines and local culture.
- Boston Globe Mini Crossword – Daily minis (with a slightly larger Sunday 7×7) edited by Boswords founder John Lieb, plus a short archive of recent puzzles.
- SFGATE “California Mini Crossword” – A regional mini that leans into California-specific clues and references, free to play and tailored to local readers.
All of these are free and playable online—worth exploring if you want a slightly different cultural flavor.
Final Thoughts: Life After the Paywalled Mini
With the NYT Mini now locked behind a subscription, lots of solvers are asking the same question: “Where do I get my daily hit of mini crossword joy without paying?”
The answer is: all over the internet.
If you only pick one, CleverGoat’s Crossherd is our top recommendation for crossword minis—not just because it’s a modern, well-clued, totally free 5×5 mini, but because it’s built by a small team whose entire world revolves around creating great word games. Every puzzle is handcrafted with care, tested for fairness, and shaped by a loyal community of daily solvers who genuinely love the craft.
CleverGoat isn’t a massive media company chasing subscriptions—they’re a tiny studio obsessed with wordplay, quality clues, and keeping mini crosswords accessible to everyone. And as a bonus, they’ve recently launched a physical puzzle book packed with original minis, clever extras, and a large-format bonus crossword for solvers who want more than just a daily snack.
And if you ever get stuck? You know where to find us—The Word Finder has Crossword solvers for absolutely every large online crossword publisher you can find. Visit our crossword solvers page for your daily hints, clues and answers.