Mini #3 — the answers

The Mini crossword from September 4, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Polka ___ — DOT
2. 4. Pop, to some — SODA
3. 5. Occam’s ___ — RAZOR
4. 6. Radio sign-off word — OVER
5. 7. Perfect score — TEN

Down

1. 1. Egg carton count — DOZEN
2. 2. What a nose knows — ODOR
3. 3. Roofer’s goo — TAR
4. 4. Goalie’s stat — SAVE
5. 5. Compost pile process — ROT

The walkthrough

One way through: start at 1-Across, then let each answer feed the words it crosses — the slot with the most letters already showing is the one to fill next.

1. 1-Across, “Polka ___” — nothing given yet: DOT.
2. 1-Down, “Egg carton count” — D···· from the crossings: DOZEN.
3. 4-Across, “Pop, to some” — ·O·· from the crossings: SODA.
4. 2-Down, “What a nose knows” — OD·· from the crossings: ODOR.
5. 5-Across, “Occam’s ___” — ··ZO· from the crossings: RAZOR.
6. 3-Down, “Roofer’s goo” — already spelled out by its crossings: TAR.
7. 6-Across, “Radio sign-off word” — ··ER from the crossings: OVER.
8. 4-Down, “Goalie’s stat” — SAV· from the crossings: SAVE.
9. 7-Across, “Perfect score” — ·EN from the crossings: TEN.
10. 5-Down, “Compost pile process” — already spelled out by its crossings: ROT.

The answer

Previous: Mini #2 (Thu, Sep 3) · Next: Mini #4 (Sat, Sep 5)

About Mini

Mini is Noggin’s five-by-five crossword, on the second shelf: one grid a day against the clock, outside the daily line-up. How to play Mini, or play today’s.