Mini #22 — the answers

The Mini crossword from September 23, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Ballpoint — PEN
2. 4. Match — GAME
3. 5. Apple or pear — FRUIT
4. 6. Sunrise direction — EAST
5. 7. Hair color — DYE

Down

1. 1. Brief stop — PAUSE
2. 2. Give off — EMIT
3. 3. What’s left after taxes — NET
4. 4. Between black and white — GRAY
5. 5. Gave dinner to — FED

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, “Ballpoint” — nothing given yet: PEN.
2. 1-Down, “Brief stop” — P···· from the crossings: PAUSE.
3. 4-Across, “Match” — ·A·· from the crossings: GAME.
4. 2-Down, “Give off” — EM·· from the crossings: EMIT.
5. 5-Across, “Apple or pear” — ··UI· from the crossings: FRUIT.
6. 3-Down, “What’s left after taxes” — already spelled out by its crossings: NET.
7. 6-Across, “Sunrise direction” — ··ST from the crossings: EAST.
8. 4-Down, “Between black and white” — GRA· from the crossings: GRAY.
9. 7-Across, “Hair color” — ·YE from the crossings: DYE.
10. 5-Down, “Gave dinner to” — already spelled out by its crossings: FED.

The answer

Previous: Mini #21 (Tue, Sep 22)

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.