Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

J.R.R. Tolkien fans, the NYT Mini Crossword has a clue for you today — check out 1-Across. One of my favorite stories I’ve ever written involves the pronunciation of Tolkien’s name. Need some more help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Jan. 28, 2025.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Magic accessory for Gandalf the Grey

Answer: STAFF

6A clue: Item often cut with a pocket-sized guillotine cutter

Answer: CIGAR

7A clue: Fill with awe

Answer: AMAZE

8A clue: Flood stopper

Answer: LEVEE

9A clue: Word repeated in “Any ___ is good ___”

Answer: PRESS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Top of the head

Answer: SCALP

2D clue: Track meet official

Answer: TIMER

3D clue: Plant used to make tequila

Answer: AGAVE

4D clue: Flusters

Answer: FAZES

5D clue: Saves from jail in Capture the Flag, say

Answer: FREES

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.