Mini is a free daily crossword on a 5 by 5 grid. Everyone gets the same puzzle each day, and a new one arrives the next. You tap a square, read the clue, and type.
How do you play Mini?
- Tap any white square. The clue shows in the bar under the grid, and that word lights up.
- Type letters on the built-in keyboard, or on a physical keyboard on a computer. Each letter moves you to the next square.
- Tap the same square again, or tap the clue, to switch between across and down. The arrows beside the clue jump to the previous or next one.
- Fill every square correctly to finish. If the grid is full but something is wrong, Mini tells you and you keep going.
When you finish, the squares bump one by one with a rising run of notes, and your results card appears.
What does the grid look like?
It is 5 by 5, with a couple of black squares cut from two opposite corners. That leaves short answers, mostly 4 and 5 letters. Every white square belongs to an across word, a down word, or both.
Each day brings a new grid shape (one of two corner patterns), new answers and new clues. Past days stay playable too. Open the week strip on your results card to go back through the last seven.
What do Check and Autocheck do?
Both are optional, and neither reveals a letter for you.
- Check marks every wrong letter in red when you press it.
- Autocheck flags a mistake the moment you type it.
Your results card counts how many letters were caught by checks. A solve with none is a clean solve.
How is Mini scored?
There is no losing. You play until the grid is right, and a timer counts up while you solve. Your score is your solve time. You can hide the timer in your preferences if you would rather not watch it.
Signed-in players get a leaderboard for the day's solve time, plus a friends-only board. Your streak, best time and average stay on your device, or follow you across devices if you make an account.
How do you share your result?
The Share button copies your result, like this:
Mini #21 / 1:42 perdiem.games/mini
It gives away nothing about the answers, so it's safe to post.
On a phone, Share opens your share sheet.
Tips for solving faster
- Start with answers you are sure of. A crossing letter from one word is a free letter in the word that crosses it.
- Scan the whole clue list once before you type. The easy ones show themselves.
- Hold off on Check until the grid is full. One red square is easier to find than several.
Common questions
Do I need an account?
No. Mini is free and runs in your browser with nothing to install. An account is optional and only keeps your streaks across devices and unlocks leaderboards and friends.
Is there a hint button?
No. Check and Autocheck tell you whether a letter is wrong, but nothing reveals the right one.
Can I play yesterday's puzzle?
Yes. Past days open from the week strip on your results card.
Will it work on my phone?
Yes. The keyboard is built in, so there is nothing to set up. You can also save it to your home screen as a shortcut.
Why can't I see a timer?
You may have hidden it in your preferences. Turn timers back on there.