How to solve a mini crossword: start with what you know and let the crossings help

To solve a mini crossword, do not read the clues in order: start with the one you are surest of, write it in, and let the letters it gives to the crossing words do the work. A 5 by 5 grid is small enough that a single good answer often unlocks the rest.

Start with the clue you are sure of

Read through the clues once and pick the easiest, usually a short plain one. Write it in only if its length matches the number of squares.

For example, 1A: "Fortunate" (5 letters). The answer is LUCKY.

Use the crossings

Every square where an across word and a down word meet belongs to both. A letter you know for one word is a free clue for the other.

1A and 1D share their first square. Once 1A is in, that square holds L, so 1D ("Afterward", 5 letters) starts with L: the letter at position 1.

Look for clues that ask for a short answer

A clue that names an action, a thing or a group often has an answer of a single common word. Try the obvious word first and see whether its letters fit the crossings. If one letter does not fit, the clue may have another meaning, or the crossing word may be wrong.

Check as you go

Check my work marks the letters that are wrong, and says nothing about the ones that are right. Use it when a word does not feel right instead of erasing everything. A wrong letter is usually in one crossing, not in the whole grid.

Use hints kindly

A hint can reveal a letter or a whole word. It costs a little XP and never counts against your time. Reveal one letter to get unstuck, then carry on by yourself.